Stop Second-Guessing Yourself--The Toddler Years: A Field-Tested Guide to Confident Parenting (Momma Said) [Paperback]

Jen Singer (Author)

Book Description

Release date: February 6, 2009 | Series: Momma Said

When it comes to raising a toddler, forget about 'what to expect.' It's the unexpected that transforms calm, collected women into frazzled, fried moms. Days when you're running on four hours' sleep and your toddler is melting down on the grocery store floor; times when you're wondering how to dislodge a small object from your child's nose; or those minutes when you think it surely must be two o'clock…except it's only ten thirty. So much for the blessed moments that moms admit to. Welcome to reality.

In Stop Second-Guessing Yourself -- The Toddler Years, award-winning web site creator and blogger Jen Singer offers the same camaraderie, advice, and encouragement she's become known for as the Internet's favorite Momma. Filled with proven real-world parenting tips, moms' true confessions, and plenty of humor, this validating guide will help you survive the toddler years with more confidence. From bedtime to naps, feeding and potty-training, finding the right playgroup to finding mom-time, it's all here and more. It's the field guide to confident parenting that you'll want to keep in the diaper bag, just in case.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Thank goodness for Jen Singer: She'll talk you down off the ledge of parenting, then make you laugh and actually enjoy this crazy time.  --Sarah Smith, Senior Editor, Parenting magazine

About the Author

Jen Singer is a stay-at-home mom of two small boys who talk to her through the bathroom door. She is the author of You're a Good Mom and 14 Hours 'Til Bedtime: A Stay-at-Home Mom's Life in 27 Funny Little Stories. She has written articles or been used as a media source for The New York Times, USA Today, The Chicago Tribune, The Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, Associated Press, Family Circle, Parenting, Parents, Real Simple and more.

She is the creator of www.MommaSaid.net, the stay-at-home mom's coffee break™ and a Forbes Best of the Web community which boasts subscribers from across the U.S., and in 30 countries. She is the creator of "Please Take My Children to Work Day," a holiday for stay-at-home moms celebrated on the last Monday each June which was officially proclaimed by governors in at least six states.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 264 pages
• Publisher: HCI; 1 edition (February 6, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0757306535
• ISBN-13: 978-0757306532
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.7 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #843,580 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Jen Singer is the author of the "Stop Second Guessing Yourself" guides to parenting and "You're a Good Mom (and Your Kids Aren't So Bad Either)" and the editor-in-chief of MommaSaid.net, a Forbes Best of the Web for moms. A Swiffer Amazing Woman of the Year and Pull-Ups Potty Training Partner, she lives in New Jersey with her husband, their two boys and an ever-growing mud puddle that is sucking up the backyard, two hockey sticks and a couple of boots.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Toddlerhood mastered, parents fulfilled May 25, 2009

By Nicole B.

Format:Paperback

I did not think it was possible to find a guide that was practical and humorous all rolled in one. Jen Singer is a wonderful writer, and she tells it like it is. You feel like she's one of your best friends experiencing toddlerhood right there with you. This book made me chuckle because the insane instances she mentions are all so true; picturing what she describes made me laugh outloud.

Yet, she finds a way to explain what you really need to pay attention to, and she keeps up to date on the latest issues and concerns of parents. She also tells you what you need to remember to keep your kid safe (and what you can forget). Further, she explains how to have a good time and take it all in stride. Plus, she explains how to handle situations with your toddler and family members. Most importantly, this book helps you know you are not alone in the process, and that somewhere out there, there's someone (likely many) with a toddler situation crazier than yours. Buy this book and you'll thank yourself!

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Recommended as a baby shower gifts for parents of a toddler who are expecting a second child! July 11, 2009

By Midwest Book Review

Format:Paperback

Award-winning website creator, blogger, Stop Second-Guessing Yourself: The Toddler Years, a no-nonsense guide to dealing with rambunctious toddlers. Though written especially for stay-at-home moms (and dads!), "Stop Second-Guessing Yourself" is an absolute must-read for all parents with toddlers (or soon-to-be toddling infants). Chapters discuss how to prepare for taking one's toddler on the go, dealing with sleep issues, potty training, how to keep one's toddler safe inside and outside the home, playdates and playgroups, how to cope when toddler is sick (and inevitably contagious), and much more. "You can't let your toddler play with your phone just so you can get through the supermarket in peace and then expect him to understand why he can't play with it elsewhere. Your phone is off-limits to your toddler all of the time, no matter how desperate you are at Stop & Shop. Rather, give him a toy cell phone." Stop Second-Guessing Yourself: The Toddler Years is especially recommended as a baby shower gifts for parents of a toddler who are expecting a second child!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars MommaSaid... Daddy is as important in our family as the mom next door January 18, 2011

By M. Sturdevant

Format:Paperback

This book is an excellent read for mom's about to enter the toddler stage or already in the toddler stage. It gives you reassurance that you are not alone and all the social stigmas society (other mothers and their mothers) throw on you (a mother) are not necessarily true. If you can get past the blatant disregard for the father's place in childcare, then this is a decent read. As a father, I was able to read the whole book without a feeling too disregarded as my wife and I would joke about how we should live like the family in the book and my wife should do 90% of the work with our daughter and I could be a daddy for 2-4 hours a day during the week and 2 days at the end of the week.

All joking aside, I think the book is great for mothers & for fathers, it is an unnecessary read. If I find a better toddler book for fathers, I'll comment later!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars I love this book March 16, 2010

By kaylei1

Format:Paperback

I received several books as baby shower gifts that were either informative or funny, but this book managed to do both at the same time. This book was laugh out loud funny, but at the same time the pointers were solid and human. I have read this book a couple of times and lent it out as well. When you read it before your baby's first birthday, you chuckle, but when you read it after, you feel like Jen Singer is telling a funnier version of your life. I highly recommend this book for yourself, as a shower gift, or a gift on baby's first birthday for the mama who doesn't have a clue what is coming next (or who does and needs a good laugh and some new tricks).

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Common Sense + Humor = The Perfect Combination! March 16, 2010

By Kimberly S. Danger

Format:Paperback

I've been following Jen Singer's blog, [...], for years. It's her witty writing style coupled with those moments that every parent can relate to that keep me coming back for more. It's great to know you don't have to be a perfect parent to raise happy, well-adjusted kids -- a little common sense and a lot of humor can go a long way!

4.0 out of 5 stars Basic info but it's great to review it August 19, 2011

By Melbettis

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Although I haven't completed the book (almost finished) I'd say I've learned a lot of things from this book. Most of what I've learned I probably already knew but had forgot or just hadn't gotten to that phase yet with my toddler. There are a few sentences from this book that I repeat to myself over and over. For instance "If you let your toddler climb on the fireplace on a Tuesday b/c you're busy with something else, don't expect her to understand why she can't also do it on Wednesday." In other words, don't give in to things you don't want to become habits. Also love her tips fr naps and sleeping.

1 of 3 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Very obvious stuff in here January 4, 2010

By M. Cheng

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

This book wasn't very helpful for me as the information is all very obvious about toddler behavior. My son is 19-months and has started throwing tantrums. I wanted a book that could help me deal with his random behavior and him always testing me and testing his limits, but I felt that this book did not provide much help.