I regularly worry that I’m not a good enough mom. Multiple times a day I question my parenting skills and wonder if I’m providing Levi with the best possible environment for his development.
For the most part, there has been no method to my (mothering) madness. Perhaps you can describe my style “parenting on a whim.” Yes, I refer to my mommy friends for their opinions and turn to our pediatrician for medical advice, but, truthfully, I don’t feel as though I have a clue about how to raise a son. Ten month in and I’m still not convinced I have any idea what I’m doing as Levi’s mommy–especially now that he’s approaching toddler-hood.
Maybe it’s time for me to start doing some research. I occasionally glanced through pregnancy books last year, and when Levi was born, I skimmed through tomes on sleep training. But now I want to know how to nurture my child as he grows into a little boy. I need to know that letting Levi play independently rather than constantly being on the floor with him or allowing him to catch a glimpse of the Today show in the morning is not going to somehow screw him up later in life.
Blogs have been buzzing lately about Simplicity Parenting, which is interesting to me because it’s not a very new book. Joanna covered it in this post, and Fern and Feather dedicated a whole series of guest posts to the book. Then, of course, there’s Bringing Up Bebe, which has been on the New York Times best-seller’s list for weeks.
I’ve compiled a list of additional parenting books that I’d also like to read. (Ha! As if I have time to read anymore…) Tell me, have you read any of these parenting books? Do you have any favorites to add to my list?
NutureShock by Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman
Free-Range Kids by Lenore Skenazy
Raising Our Children, Raising Ourselves by Naomi Aldort
Playful Learning by Mariah Bruehl
How to Raise an Amazing Child the Montessori Way by Tim Seldin and Vanessa Davies
{image via Pinterest}
I’m reading Parenting with Love and Logic by Jim Fay. A few people have recommended it to me.
I’m going to add that to my list–thanks!
The best advise I would say is be eclectic. Take strategies and ideas from different sources and make them your own. If you become “married” to one book or just one way, you may miss out on other avenues. If you show your love, say positive words, spend the time, then you ARE a good mom.
I’ve called my style lately “intuitive parenting.” And now I’m thinking I need to read some toddler parenting books myself! Thank you for curating a list – these all look like reads I’d like to tackle.
I did read “Nurture Shock,” and found it very compelling. There are discussions that relate to different phases in our kids lives, and I’ll probably flip back to it from time to time to be reminded of their arguments. My immediate takeaways? Sleep is critical, and offer up specific praise. (As in, just saying “You’re smart!” isn’t really that helpful.) You can probably get away with saving that one for later.
I’ve been following the “intuitive parenting” method, too, but worry about my intuition!
So I should probably stop telling Levi that he’s “so cute!” for no specific reason? 😉
wonderful resources! thanks for the recommendations.
You’re welcome! Please let me know if you end up reading any–and what you think of it.
I enjoyed Raising Bebe, even if it got a little repetitive in parts and is guilty of over-generalizing. It still discussed some parenting strategies that I’d like to implement and reinforced some philosophies and wishes of mine and gave me the encouragement to start acting on them: like leaving Hudson to entertain himself and considering it fostering a skill. And I don’t know if it makes a difference, but now when he squirms during diaper changes I’ve taught myself not to say “stop” but to say “wait.” It had a lot of food for thought… especially about, um, food!
Did you start any of the books? Any reviews?
Glad you all are a threesome again!