Trees Make the Best Mobiles: Simple Ways to Raise Your Child in a Complex World [Paperback]

Jessica Teich (Author), Brandel France de Bravo (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2002

Books like Simplify Your Life and Don't Sweat the Small Stuff have encouraged millions of readers to slow down and enjoy life more. Now, Jessica Teich and Brandel France de Bravo help new parents- who barely have time to return a phone call or wash a sock- learn to do less, listen more, and spend focused, fruitful time with their children. Practical and fun to read, Trees Make the Best Mobiles urges parents to treat every task-even diapering and feeding-as a chance to connect with their child, and gives calming advice about hot-button issues from pacifier use to temper tantrums. Parents will be relieved to discover that they don't have to buy lots of stuff-a tree outside a baby's window can serve as a mobile-or shuttle kids from one activity to another. In fact, in today's hectic, high-speed world, children need less "stimulation" and more unhurried interaction with the people who matter most. The authors call their approach "present parenting," because they believe being "present in the moment," without resentment or distraction, is the greatest present any parent can give.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Moms-to-be Gwyneth Paltrow and Heidi Klum are gaga for this back-to-basics childcare guide."
- US Weekly, (5/3/2004)

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Jessica Teich is a journalist and filmmaker.

Brandel France de Bravo is a poet and health educator. Both are mothers of young children and long-time students of RIE, a unique method of infant and toddler care.

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin (September 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312303254
• ISBN-13: 978-0312303259
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 6.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (37 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #342,404 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Gem of a Parenting Book!, January 22, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Trees Make the Best Mobiles: Simple Ways to Raise Your Child in a Complex World (Hardcover)

I have read many books on parenting and usually come away from them feeling more overwhlemed than reassured. Trees Make the Best Mobiles is the exception. We live in a culture that seems to demand MORE-FASTER-BETTER but Jessica Teich and Brandel France de Bravo take issue with that mantra and encourage parents to slow down, listen, act with mindfulness, and throw away the mechanical dolls. The two authors - mothers themselves - offer sensible and creative suggestions that are empowering to both parent and child. I was able to use their advice to bring a bit of calm into my own hectic household and I strongly encourage every new parent-- and old one, too-- to take a look at this terrific book.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Opinionated and in direct contrast to much of the current research!, December 4, 2007

By 

Bibliophile@heart (Maryland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Trees Make the Best Mobiles: Simple Ways to Raise Your Child in a Complex World (Hardcover)

I was very optomistic about this book, thinking that it placed an emphasis on how to interact with babies and kids without the unnecessary overlays of too much technology and toys. This book basically regurgiates the philosophy of RIE (Resources for Infant Educarers by Magda Gerber). This way on interacting with children is all about respecting them as individuals. However, the belief system is not based on well researched concepts such as that children need boundaries and are not always ready for excessive verbal diatribes on why it is wrong to hit others. Additionally, this book flies in the face of an abundance of research on attachment theory. The authors often note that babies need private time and should "self soothe". Babies need private time about as much as LA needs more plastic surgeons. Babies need touch ,responsive parenting, and lots of affection and unconditional love. Self soothing is clearly not beneficial for babies as studies show that babies who are well responded to are more well adjusted children, are more independent, and more able to be flexible. This book was truly disapointing and beyond that, could really do some damage. There were one or two decent (albeit somewhat obvious) chapters regarding how kids need unrestricted and unstructured play time, and on the need to not expose young kids to so much media.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Parenting Wisdom, December 10, 2001

By 

rosanne bluestien,M.D. (Torrance, Ca) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Trees Make the Best Mobiles: Simple Ways to Raise Your Child in a Complex World (Hardcover)

This delightful book will reward its readers with wit, wisdom, and a reassuring clarity about the value of parenthood. The authors advocate a refreshing, child-centered approach to child rearing. Their simple, yet vital priorities are reflected in the organization of the book, itself, into brief, concise chapters, which may be browsed or read straight through. I would imagine that even the most harried and sleep-deprived of parents would find this book accessible and easy to read. The authors, who are students of Resources for Infant Educarers (RIE) and parents of young children themselves, share thoughtful meditations on a diverse array of parenting topics, from temper tantrums to toilet training. Throughout, they emphasize the fundamental truth that the greatest gift parents can give to children is... themselves. The empathic attunement that a parent who is truly present and "in the moment" can provide is truly priceless to a developing child. To their credit, the authors translate this ideal into a set of pragmatic suggestions for approaching such routine tasks as a diaper change in a more relaxed, unhurried, and mindful manner. Parenting books can overwhelm readers with professional prescriptions that may seem impossible for the average mom and dad to implement on their own. This practical and wise little book serves to remind parents that they already possess the essential tools to successfully nuture and guide their children.