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Ashley B. (monkeybunnsmama) - Reviews

1 to 7 of 7
The Babytalk Insider's Guide to Your Baby's First Year
The Babytalk Insider's Guide to Your Baby's First Year
Author: Babytalk Magazine
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 4.5/5 Stars.
 1
Review Date: 7/14/2009


Not the ONLY book I'd recommend-I'd recommend reading this and Womanly Art of Breastfeeding (Dr Sear's the Baby Book is awesome too!). This book is somewhat comical and down to earth. You feel confident in your own decisions reading this book. It gives basic information about different parenting styles and what to expect. I read this and What to Expect and gave up on What to Expect. I liked this one much more.


The Complete Organic Pregnancy
The Complete Organic Pregnancy
Author: Deirdre Dolan, Alexandra Zissu
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 3.4/5 Stars.
 9
Review Date: 7/26/2009


This book was a little too "the world is out to get me" for me. I didn't end up getting a single idea to improve myself from it because it made me feel like a horrible person if I didn't buy 100% organic and that I'd be simply hurting a baby (when I'm pregnant again) by not eating organic. Honestly about the only thing I can keep down for the first 4 months is Ramen noodles. I will look to other sources to improve myself during pregnancy. We simply can't afford to switch to all organic food.


The Happiest Toddler on the Block : The New Way to Stop the Daily Battle of Wills and Raise a Secure and Well-Behaved One- to Four-Year-Old
Review Date: 7/26/2009


I really liked this book. I felt like the baby one was really just common sense to me but this one made me think a bit more. It was an easy read (read most of it in just a couple hours) and I am going to take a bunch of ideas to help take care of my toddler.


Montessori from the Start: The Child at Home, from Birth to Age Three
Review Date: 7/12/2009


I was disappointed by most of this book. First of all it was published in 2003 and the breastfeeding and cloth diapering information is terribly outdated even for that time! Don't refer to this book for any info about breastfeeding-instead refer to The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding: Seventh Revised Edition (La Leche League International Book). You do not need to use a wash cloth on your nipples to "prepare" them for breastfeeding. Also to limit your child to feeding on a schedule you are more likely to have supply issues. Also the WHO and AAP say to breastfeed for at least a year-not 6-9 months as this book states. As for cloth diapering don't think you have to use plastic pants and prefolds to get the wonderful benefits of cloth diapers. I make cloth diapers (I make them to sell) and know you can use great materials and a waterproof outer layer to prevent leaks.

I had to roll my eyes at a lot of the things in this book. I felt like they were saying if you don't do it this way you're just wrong and a bad parent. I also got the feeling that in order to follow the Montessori method you need to pretty well neglect your child and let them do whatever they want! This book says to let your child use GLASS pitchers and glasses to learn how to drink.

I am choosing to use a few suggestions from this book-that's why I give it a 2. I do believe that parents over parent and need to let their child do more for themselves. My son just started walking so we let him walk in to and out of stores on his own. I also let him do a lot of other things on his own so he can become independent. However he will remain in a high chair attached to a chair so he can be on our same level, and I (gasp) eat dinner with him (and pretty much always have). I am a busy work at home mom so I don't always have time to let him linger and struggle nor do I have the patience to let him scream because he gets frustrated.

I think this book could have easily been written with a different tone. It should have given suggestions and ideas and presented them in a way that you feel secure in your parenting style and what things you choose to participate in. I thought this book would give me better ideas of what to do with my child and ways to help teach/let him teach himself. If this is what you're expecting you might be disappointed.


Taking Charge of Your Fertility: The Definitive Guide to Natural Birth Control, Pregnancy Achievement, and Reproductive Health (Revised Edition)
Review Date: 7/21/2009
Helpful Score: 2


Excellent book. A must have for all women! You learn so much about your body reading this book. Even if you decide not to practice Fertility Awareness Method (or Natural Family Planning) it can totally help you when you are trying to conceive. In my situation I don't react well to hormonal birth control and this can be 100% effective if you are tracking ALL of your signs (which is really really easy to do). In just a few minutes per day you can track all of your signs and know when you can't conceive and when you can.


Unconditional Parenting : Moving from Rewards and Punishments to Love and Reason
Review Date: 7/21/2009
Helpful Score: 1


Wasn't at all what I was expecting. Overall I ended up getting a few ideas but I like No Cry Discipline Solution much better. The first half was all about what NOT to do-didn't feel like there was enough of what to do. The premise is great but it wasn't a book I would read over and over and refer to often.


Unconditional Parenting : Moving from Rewards and Punishments to Love and Reason
Review Date: 7/21/2009


Wasn't at all what I was expecting. Overall I ended up getting a few ideas but I like No Cry Discipline Solution much better. The first half was all about what NOT to do-didn't feel like there was enough of what to do. The premise is great but it wasn't a book I would read over and over and refer to often.


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