New Book!

I'm a geek and new books really make me happy. Except I'm cheap and I can't believe bookstore prices. :) So I discovered Paperback Swap, which I adore. When I want a book, I just add it to my wish list, and eventually I'll get in the mail. Even if it takes a long time.

I've had a book on my wishlist since June 14, 2006 and I finally got it yesterday. I've read the preface and a couple of random paragraphs in the middle that caught my eye flipping through it, and I cannot wait to read the rest. It's Love and Logic Magic for Early Childhood. I've heard a lot about the Love and Logic ideas but never actually read any of the books. The preface promises to give parents real, working, effective strategies for:

• Grocery store temper tantrums
• Bedtime battles
• Power struggles over eating
• Getting them to brush their teeth
• Potty training
• Whining and saying things like "No fair!" and "But why?"
• Kids who won't get ready on time in the mornings
• Sibling rivalry
• Getting them to pick up toys
• Temper tantrums and fits in restaurants
• Saying NO all the time
• Begging for toys or candy at the store
• Misbehaving at daycare, preschool, or kindergarten

Copyrighted book, directly copied that list, just so you know. But I'm excited about this! Holy cow! If I can get some strategies for even a few of those things my life will be a lot easier both at work and at home. I'll be glad to loan it out when I'm done if it works well. :)

The other thing I've gotten from it already that I knew in my head, but wasn't really doing:

KIDS LIKE CHOICES.

I know that, but the book went into great detail about how MUCH they like them, and that you should give them a choice as often as possible, especially about trivial things where you don't care one way or the other. Do you want to read this book on the couch or in bed? Should we wash your left hand or right hand first? If you let them choose a bunch of small things, they're placated much easier because they don't feel so railroaded.