Happiest Toddler on the Block?

[Eman'smom]

A friend gave this to me, right now I'm knee deep in the "my child is a caveman" part, and it's not really sitting that well with me. I haven't gotten to the advice part yet. Is it worth it to keep going?

I read (but don't really remember) Happiest Baby... I can only remember 3 of the 5 S's :LOL But swaying, swaddling and shhing are ok in my book.


Is it ok or just not worth it.

[sophsmom]

Where is that "eating popcorn" smiley???

I haven't read the book, but have heard from several other AP Mammas that it isn't very AP friendly. I loved the Happiest Baby, so it's too bad. I recommend Happiest Baby, and would hate to think that a Mom loved it and then went for Happiest Toddler if it's no good...

[mags]

That's unfortunate the toddler book isn't very AP. I really liked the first one and found it helpful.

[mamabohl]

I didn't like it at all, it seemed all about manipulating toddlers to do what you want. I couldn' finish it, but I also heard that it advocates CIO (for toddlers) towards the end.

[Fuamami]

I guess it doesn't advocate spanking, right? I know my SIL and BIL read it before they had their second child because they were so worried about the first hurting the baby and being out of control. But I noticed no reduction in corporal punishment in their house, unfortunately.

[Bleu]

No, no spanking. Just idiocy. I tried the "say your toddler's feelings for them" thing he suggests and Bleuet was thoroughly unimpressed.

[Fuamami]

No, no spanking. Just idiocy. I tried the "say your toddler's feelings for them" thing he suggests and Bleuet was thoroughly unimpressed.

Really? I used to do this w/my dd before she could verbalize them, something like, "You seem really mad!" or "Are you excited about ...?" I thought it worked for her and helped her label her feelings. But maybe I'm misunderstanding what he suggests?

[Bleu]

Sorry, I wasn't clear at all. The author suggests you dramatically act out the feelings, not simply state them.

[GatorNNP]

I read the whole book. It is a little redundant at times. I do agree on his perspective of development in regard to the phases of advancement the toddler moves through. I really liked the part where he explains how to communicate to your toddler that you understand what they feel or want. I have found it helpful for example when you are out and your little one is getting tired and you are going home, but little person gets a little too tired to get in the carseat willingly, and I was in a parking lot in 90 trillion degree weather so the option of just wait a little while to get in the car wasn't there.

I think a lot of the book is how to get your toddler to do what you want. On the other hand he does emphasize spending time-in (duh) with the child several times a day, a point I'm sure which a lot of mainstreamers will ignore unfortunately. One of the other points which is helpful to remember is when your child does get really upset that they do sort of regress for the moment and that is good for the parent to remember so they aren't expecting their very upset child to cooperate or participate as they would when calm etc.

I think some of the techniques can be used in AP parenting or the type of parenting described in Unconditional Parenting. UP, tends to sort of skip over the infant to toddler age range and seems most applicable to the toddler and up age ranges in its discussions.

So, I would say, read the book and take what you like from it.