Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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46 of 48 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
There are Much Better Books on this Subject, October 16, 2000
We have a "Family Bed" and it works amazingly well for us. [With so many other rooms in the house, I'm amazed at some of the other reviewers who say they couldn't have a sexual relationship with their husbands... We've certainly not had that problem.] Our family is a very close and happy one, and my husband and I love nothing better than waking up all cuddled up together with our sweet little toddler in the mornings. I'd recommend the "Family Bed" [or "Co-sleeping"; "Sharing Sleep"] to any family that would like a close knit, loving, happy family unit. That having been said, I kind of hate this book. While I suppose it is something of a "Classic", I dislike the author's language on the subject [she does seem to rant and rave a bit, which is unneccessary and annoying in my opinion]. I disliked her chapter on Sex [seeming to think it was unneccessary between spouses or that there was something wrong with wanting to have sex with your husband - as opposed to offering good advice on how to have a great sex life AND a Family Bed]. She also makes a couple of allusions to sex WITH children that made my skin crawl. I found parts of this book very upsetting and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone, regardless. If you want some great books on Co-sleeping or "Family Beds", check out "Three in a Bed" by Deborah Jackson, and "Night Time Parenting" or any of several other books by Dr. William Sears & his wife Martha - I found these MUCH more helpful, sane, and constructive.
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45 of 47 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Refreshing & Needed, October 1, 2000
My son was three months pre-mature. He stayed in the NICU for 2 full months before he was allowed to come home. He came home attached to many machines and monitors. The 'good' nurses in the NICU quietly approached me one by one to urge me to let my son sleep in our bed. It was as though they were messengers of secret information. One nurse highly recommended The Family Bed. I didn't get the book and my son didn't sleep with us. Then one night, his monitors went off continually. I thought it would be the night he died. To comfort him, we brought him to bed with us....all 4.9 pounds of him. His monitors never went off again. I went out and bought the book. I read it with great interest. It was easy to follow. The author was obviously passionate about bringing children into the 'family' bed. It was moving and compelling at the same time. The basic point I got out of the book was this....who do you want your children attached to? The teddy bear? The blanket? The passifier? Or, do you want them attached to you? We live in a society that wants kids, but doesn't want to be bothered by them. They grow up looking for 'what' to trust instead of 'who' to trust. I know have three children. All three have slept with us. Our bed is the 'safe' place. They are 6, 5, & 3. None of them still sleep with us except when they need to. This is a great book if you are wondering why you should consider loving your kids so much as to let them sleep with you at night.
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37 of 40 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
If you have considered taking your baby to bed, read this!, January 28, 1999
By A Customer
This book is helpful because it does not imply that there is one correct way to raise children. The author, Tine Thevenin, has a wonderful theory that a good parent is one who really listens to what a child asks of them. I was one of those people who vowed never to let my baby sleep with me, but after having my son in June 1998 and not sleeping more than 3 hours at stretch since, I have changed my attitude. I was sick of angrily getting out of bed every two hours to try to comfort him and finally tried bringing him in bed with me and my husband. Now we all are much happier-my son has the comfort of his parents nearby, I get a lot more sleep and my husband does not have to try to deal with a crying baby and a psycho wife in the middle of the night. This book is wonderful because it tells you to trust your instincts and not worry about what other people think of your parenting choices. It does not say that people who share their beds with their children are better parents, it just says to do what works for your family. Good common sense, if you asked me. Each child is different and each family is different. Many babies have not read the books that say they should sleep through the night at 3 months! If you too are tired of getting out of bed many times a night, taking your child into your bed may be the answer and this book can give you some background about this age-old practice. It is good to read if outsiders give you a hard time about it, too! If you are an attachment parenting advocate, this book will be right up your alley.
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