In this post I will share my take on two popular parenting books: How to Stop Losing Your Sh*t with Your Kids, by Carla Naumburg (https://a.co/d/8WDmMkG), and How to Talk so Little Kids Will Listen, by Joanna Faber and Julie King (https://a.co/d/fZV2NAD).
Firstly, I recommend both books. In my opinion, they are both great resources to help you achieve the following: 1. better your relationship with your kids, and 2. be a less-stressed mama.
How to Talk so Little Kids Will Listen (https://a.co/d/fZV2NAD) is a great reference for how to talk to your tiny humans. This book in a nut-shell: gives you insight into some communication strategies to use with your kids. I have found this especially great for toddlers who are on the verge-or even in the depths-of a tantrum. The authors provide real examples from real parents whom they’ve worked with over the years. There are cute cartoons in the book that help those who may be more visual learners (these also make it a lighter read for those who aren’t avid readers). My favorite part of this book is that it helps you provide your child with emotional support by instructing you to “match” their emotions. This validates them instead of dismissing those big feelings. The book also helps you to communicate to them that, although you accept all their feelings, not all actions are acceptable. This book provides great substitutions for some of the average parent’s go-to phrases and questions when they’re in those tough moments of parenting. How to Talk so Little Kids Will Listen (https://a.co/d/fZV2NAD) is a great book if you need help getting your kids to listen and get out of those rough moments. This book has really helped me tone down the toddler tantrums in my household.
How to Stop Losing Your Sh*t with Your Kids (https://a.co/d/8WDmMkG) provides a less ‘formal’ approach for the reader. Carla Naumburg provides examples from her own journey through parenthood, rather than stories from the lives of others. The author’s sense of humor and relatability shines through the pages, making the reader feel as though they have a friend right there with them in the trenches. Personally, this book helped me to not feel as much ‘mom guilt.’ It also helped me realize that I have everything it takes to be that “calmer, happier parent.” Naumburg helps the reader implement self-compassion, which I feel is very underrated for moms. This book walks you through acknowledging what behaviors you need to stop and what you need to do to help yourself without the judgment I’ve felt from other books in this category. After reading through this book, I have been taking better care of myself, which has helped me become a better mama.
I don’t feel like you can go wrong with either book. However, if you’re looking to focus on fixing yourself as a ‘whole parent,’ I recommend Naumburgs, How to Stop Losing Your Sh*t with Your Kids (https://a.co/d/8WDmMkG), as this book will help you care for yourself, which is essential to taking care of your kids. If you’re searching the shelves for something on how to better communicate with your kids, and help your kids get through big emotions, I’d say go for How to Talk so Little Kids Will Listen (https://a.co/d/fZV2NAD). A plus to How to Talk so Little Kids Will Listen: it will probably help you with communication with everyone, not just your kids (it has for me).
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Mama With Moxie 