The Thriving Child: Parenting Successfully through Allergies, Asthma and Other Common Challenges [Hardcover]

Erica Reid (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 8, 2012

It took months of doctors visits and several illnesses for Erica Reid to uncover that her young son had multiple allergies and serious asthma. Her daughter, who had suffered from skin irritation since birth, was diagnosed with food allergies as well. Thus began a cautious, thoughtful journey to more doctors and led the author to totally re-vamp her family's diet, "de-tox" her home, and, as her children grew older, coordinate healthy routines for school and travel.

Along the way, Reid developed complementary child-rearing strategies promoting respect, responsibility, creativity, spiritual balance, and love. From heath and nutrition to discipline and spirituality, Reid schooled herself in every area that is part of creating a totally healthy environment in which a family can flourish. THE THRIVING CHILD also includes in-depth prescriptive advice from top experts, including doctors, and celebrity mothers.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

A former school teacher, Erica is the wife of music industry heavy weight Antonio "L.A. Reid" and the mother of Arianna and Addison.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 272 pages
• Publisher: Center Street (May 8, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0892968648
• ISBN-13: 978-0892968640
• Product Dimensions: 6.3 x 1 x 9.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #906,711 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #45 in Books > Health, Fitness & Dieting > Children's Health > Allergies

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Thriving Child May 7, 2012

By Heba

Format:Hardcover

Erica Reid does an incredible job writing a memoir of her experiences raising her two children in New York City. Through every day challenges of motherhood, to specific issues of allergies, misdiagnoses and judgement that comes along with parenting, the book is a powerful and helpful tale that is both eye opening and compelling. With experts on nutrition and child-rearing, the author relies on the professionals as well as her own intuition as a mother in discussing all that she has learned in the process. Incredibly detailed and thorough, the book is neither preachy nor suggestive and completely avoids judgement. It's a refreshing tale, written in an accessible voice and with an effortless tone. A must read for all and any kind of parent.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Well done. September 12, 2012

By birdbrain

Format:Hardcover

Just finished reading this book... interesting read. It's about a mother's journey managing her kids' allergies and asthma. Some interesting homeopathic remedies, travel recommendations, and recipes. Some of the stuff I knew, but I found it encouraging and enjoyable to read.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Mother Power June 12, 2012

By Manhattan Mom

Format:Hardcover

Thriving Child was a book I didn't want to put down because the author addresses some critical issues we're dealing with as parents in the 21st century: food allergies, the food industry, GMOs (man engineered foods), environmental toxins, a rise in child health issues, western medicine vs natural medicine and pharmaceutical drugs pushed on our children. As a parent, Ms. Reid chronicles the drama most of us go through when facing parenting - working to make the best decisions overall, and definitely the best decisions that could ultimately effect the outcome of my child whether it's saving its life, or setting a foundation for emotional well-being and healthy life style habits. The DRAMA, Reid went through is enough to have any parent's stomach wrenching, the adrenaline spiking, as you empathize and live vicariously through her experiences as a MOM. How many of us have an idea what it's like to race your child to ER? Honestly, it was like I was sitting in a theater clenching my chair.

This book inspired me to get back on track with this aspect of parenting--my children's keeper as it relates to healthy eating. Oh right, I'm in charge here, and I'm the responsible adult! I had fallen off my parental watch duty, picking my battles, when dealing with day to day life, allowing some of those unhealthy things back into the diet or failing to monitor how much live food we're intaking to at least have some sort of balance. Reid reminded me that this particular battle, our health and our children's health, was well worth the sometimes exhausting fight. I loved journeying along with her, turning the corners, as she followed the bread crumbs in order to get to the bottom of things, as so many of us do--or perhaps never thought to do! I not only learned new information (learn something new everyday!)but appreciated the wisdom ("trust your maternal instincts, especially during any crisis"); and insight this book offers (our kids will eat what we give them, EVENTUALLY, going from dislike to like). Good feminine power.