Written by parents for parents!We humans are pretty clever. Weve mastered fire, invented the wheel, calculated the age of the Universe, sent people to the Moon, built machines that think, and cracked the genome. So youd think that with all our smarts, somebody wouldve come up with a surefire formula for raising kids. Maybe thats because every child, like every parent, is an individual, and no two parent-child relationships are ever the same. So, you can give up any notions of being a perfect parent. But, you can learn to keep the big mistakes to a minimum and make the parenting enterprise easier and more rewarding for your children and you. Which is where this book comes in.
Whether youre child is a newborn, a teen, or somewhere in-between,Parenting For Dummies gives you the scoop on parenting basics. From dealing with a crying baby and potty training, to building self-esteem and talking with them about sex, it offers a gold mine of up-to-date advice and guidance on how to:
Learn to communicate with your kidsDevelop a good relationship with your kidsKeep your kids safe and healthyHelp your kids grow up to be good peopleKeep your cool and control their behaviorDiscipline constructively and with a minimum of stressBuild self-esteem in your childrenAvoid committing the parenting sins your parents taught you
Experts Sandy and Dan Gookinshes the parenting expert forParents Magazine andWorking Mother Magazine and hes a father of fouravoid the psychological hype and medical terminology and give you the straight poop on all aspects of child-rearing, including:
Speaking and listening to kidsThe importance of being consistentKeeping a sense of humorDealing with babiesChildhood growth and developmentHealth and nutritionKids changing physical needsDeveloping a good person
Parenting For Dummies gives you the know-how and skills you need to be the parent of healthy, happy kids.
Introduction.
About This Book.
Foolish Assumptions.
How This Book Is Organized.
Part I The Basic Stuff You Must Know.
Part II: Dealing with Babies.
Part III: Getting Down to the Nitty Gritty: Your Child's Physical Needs.
Part IV: Seeing to Your Child's Health and Safety.
Part V: Handling Your Child's Behavior.
Part VI: The Part of Tens.
Icons Used in This Book.
Where to Go from Here.
PART I: THE BASIC STUFF YOU MUST KNOW.
Chapter 1: Winning the Parenting Game.
Chapter 2: Guidelines for Co-Parenting (The Two-Party System).
Chapter 3: Being a Consistent Parent.
Chapter 4: Following Through.
Chapter 5: The Art of Keeping Your Cool.
Chapter 6: Behavior Management.
PART II: DEALING WITH BABIES.
Chapter 7: Holding and Handling the Baby.
Chapter 8: Breastfeeding vs. Bottlefeeding.
Chapter 9: The Diaper Thing.
Chapter 10: Just for Babies: Sleeping, Bathing, Tools, and Baby Traits.
Chapter 11: Infant Health Concerns.
Chapter 12: The Growth and Developmental Stuff.
PART III: GETTING TO THE NITTY GRITTY: YOUR CHILD'S PHYSICAL NEEDS.
Chapter 13: Understanding Food and Nutrition.
Chapter 14: The Joys and Perils of Bathtime.
Chapter 15: Sleep, Glorious Sleep.
Chapter 16: Potty Training Perfected.
PART IV: SEEING TO YOUR CHILD'S HEALTH AND SAFETY.
Chapter 17: Health and Hygiene (12 months-24 months).
Chapter 18: Going to the Doctor.
Chapter 19: Making Life Safer.
Chapter 20: Finding Good Childcare.
PART V: HANDLING'S YOUR CHILD'S BEHAVIOR.
Chapter 21: Raising Your Child (12-24 months).
Chapter 22: Communicating with Your Child.
Chapter 23: Your New Big Job: Teacher (12 pages).
Chapter 24: Social Skills to Be Proud Of.
Chapter 25: Punishment and Discipline.
Chapter 26: Squelching Squabbling Siblings.
PART VI: THE PART OF TENS.
Chapter 27: Ten Things to Do Every Day.
Chapter 28: Ten Things for Your Conscience to Whisper in Your Ear.
Chapter 29: Ten Great Resources for Parents.
