Reviews (9)

Children are human, parents are human!
This book has two main sections, the first about children and their emotional needs, the second more focused on what is going on inside the parents.
Best Parenting Guide Around!!!
I first read this book in the 1980's when all 4 of my children were under 10 years old. It was so helpful!! I wore one copy out and had to replace it. It is easy and logical to use. It acknowledges that everyone (parents and children) get angry but teaches you to give yourself permission to be angry but provides methods to deal calmly with the situation that makes you angry. It helps you learn to identify that you are angry with the situation - not necessarily the child. My son and daughter-in-law are expecting their first child and this book is going to be part of my gift to them. I already have copies for all 3 of my daughters when their turn at parenting comes. As a volunteer at a domestic violence shelter I recommend the book to our clients who need to develop more effective parenting skills. I also recommended it to all of my friends.

A Must-Read for All Who Struggle With Their Anger
I read "How to Talk . . ." by the same authors and was blown away by how powerful it's implementation was in my family.I wondered, should I bother reading the first book that inspired it?I'm so glad I did.
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Subjects:  1. Child rearing    2. Family & Relationships    3. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    4. Family Relationships    5. Family/Marriage    6. Parent and child    7. Parenting - General    8. Child care & upbringing    9. Family & Relationships / Parenting   

Reviews (7)

Great Book!!!
We were looking at new things to do in our marriage to make it a little stronger and just some new ideas. We got this book from our church who offered free child care while we had to read from the book and do that date every week. IT WAS GREAT! Me and my husband enjoyed reading from the book and it has been FUN! SOo if you would like to help the communication and get date ideas then this is the book for you!!! It talks about improving and/or keeping your marriage alive - it focus on communication but also touches on if you have kids, working, and finding time for your marriage. Overall i would reccommend it to any married couple!

Not what I was expecting
Don't buy this book as a gift, unless you want to tell the recipients their marriage is on the rocks.
Wonderful Ideas
There are some really wonderful ideas in this book -- although, in all honesty, some are rather ordinary. Take what is meaningful to you and put it into practice. My wife and I still "date" after 17 years together.Read more

Subjects:  1. Christianity    2. Christianity - Christian Life - Marriage    3. Communication in marriage    4. Dating (Social customs)    5. Family & Relationships    6. Family Relationships    7. Marriage    8. Religion - Marriage & Family    9. Religious aspects    10. Christian Interest    11. Christian rites & ceremonies    12. Religion / Christian Life   

Editorial Review

"The simple truth about elders is this: they want their lives to be validated, and they do not want to die alone," writes eldercare consultant Joy Loverde in her preface to the second edition of Read more

Reviews (52)

Concrete Plan of Action
"Am I doing the right thing?" Every adult child of a family member requiring eldercare asks this question. The Complete Eldercare Planner will help today's busy caregivers with medical, financial, and personal issues by condensing hours of research into a concrete plan of action. In one volume, readers will learn about emergency preparedness; how to tell when your elder needs help; talking about sensitive subjects; sharing the care; long-distance assistance; money and legal matters; health and wellness; insurance; housing; safety; transportation; maintaining quality of life; aging with a disability; death and dying; and more.
Overwhelming Help in a crisis time of need
7-22-05-- Recently I found myself along with 3 other siblings and spouses thrust into new uncharted waters in a totally new season of our lives. Suddenly and without any training we were and continue to this day having to take care of my aging parents. I for one will freely admit that as a child I was never trained, prepared, nor exceptionally gifted to undertake such a task. It is just not the type of thing that you can ever really get to a line and say ready...set...go...and do it very well. Elderly health care in 2005 does not always afford us the luxury of any long preparation either emotionally or financially.
I needed two books to care for my mother in law
My mother in law needs so much care and we had no clue on what to do. We bought this book and we bought the 36-Hour day. We are completely sure now that we are making the right choices because of the tips in both of these books. I recommmend this book highly. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Aging - General    2. Aging parents    3. Care    4. Caregivers    5. Eldercare    6. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    7. General    8. Home care    9. Life skills guides    10. Older people    11. Parenting - Parent & Adult Child    12. Planning    13. Self-Help    14. Sociology    15. United States    16. Family & Relationships / Health   

Reviews (17)

Author went through hell
I am not an abused wife or battered woman, but I can still appreciate what the author went through.She gives the reader a mostly detailed journey through her personal hell.Having said that I find it puzzling that she would choose to go to a costume party as Nicole Brown and OJ Simpson, complete with ketchup on her neck.It was in terrible taste and the author tries to explain it by saying "the reality behind the charade was too important for me to abandon".Then she goes to tell that others at the party thought it was in bad taste and her italicized comments are "that they missed the point."Not surprisingly they did, didn't they. Apparently, she thought they would immediately realize she was abused? She also admits her two youngest children were quite disturbed seeing her dressed like that and she told them it was a game and left it to the babysitter to explain.I, for one, don't look for hidden meanings in Halloween costumes and since Ms. Weldon stressed her love and devotion to her children and how she didn't want them affected by the abuse, I find her attitude about the costumes and her children very strange to say the least. The real deal
Michele Weldon does a magnificent job describing her harrowing journey through domestic violence, and she does so with clarity and unflinching honesty.Domestic violence crosses all socio-economic and cultural boundaries.Just as no two women are alike, no two violent marriages are identical; Ms. Weldon explains her own experience in such a way that anyone living through this hell will see some element of her own situation. Great for a woman who has left an abusive marriage
Thank you Michele Weldon for writing your journey through living and leaving an abusive husband. ---Read more

Subjects:  1. 1958-    2. Abuse - General    3. Abuse - Physical    4. Abused wives    5. Biography    6. Case studies    7. Literary Criticism    8. Literature: Classics    9. Self-Help    10. United States    11. Weldon, Michele,    12. Wife abuse    13. Women Authors    14. Women's Studies - General    15. Biography: general    16. Domestic violence    17. Self-Help / Substance Abuse    18. Women's studies   

Reviews (11)

Couples Issues: We Can Work It Out
This book is based upon an innovative, revolutionary twenty-year study. It is a simple-to-understand and clearly-worded guide that provides you with straightforward, scientifically demonstrated techniques that can help you make your relationship work.
Great Tools
This book is easy to read, easy to understand, and offers a lot of hope.It gives you real tools to use.I wish it had focused just a tiny bit more on how you can only take care of yourself and your own point of view and emotions - or perhaps it would have been nice if they recommended a companion book on that subject - since it is such a large factor in relating. But overall I'd say it's a great buy for anyone looking to find ways to start improving their communication with anyone, right away.

Absolutely the Best Book on Relationship Communication!!!
My husband and I separated after years and years of the same problems that we couldn't resolve. Realizing that perhaps it's not just what we are saying to each other but HOW we are saying it, I bought 6 books on communication. This was hands down the best one.
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Subjects:  1. Interpersonal communication    2. Love / Sex / Marriage    3. Psychotherapy - Couples & Family    4. Family Relationships    5. Communication in marriage    6. Marriage    7. Family/Marriage    8. Communication    9. Human relations   

Editorial Review

It's hard to imagine any wedding detail that could have escapedinclusion in the pages of Read more

Reviews (54)

Excellent wedding source
This book was the number one resource for us while we were planning our wedding. We had many wedding magazines and books, but this was the by far the best. Eventually the others were pushed aside and we relied on this as our only source. There are many great tips for weddings of all types and sizes. The authors gave great advice and tips while offering humor (which is well-needed during the stressful times such as narrowing down the guest list). I highly recommend this book to couples looking to purchase one source to cover it all! Thanks Laura!

words to the wise
It certainly covers a lot of ground, evenly and fairly concisely.I am an older male and I read a lot, but knew absolutely nothing about weddings.My partner suggested I buy the book,wise woman .If you are a man and feel trepidation around this largely female undertaking, read this book, and read it well.It is up to date and as a core virtue is not attached to selling you something you do not want or cannot afford.It only asks that you be satisfied and happy with your informed choice.Besides covering the rather effete items such as dress,and who goes where when, the nitty gritty onprenups, how to handle the caterers and who gets paid when, are also included. Read it again as the weddingdetails and decisions start to fall into place and you will be of some help to yourself as well as her.Occasionally you will be asked what you think.Occasionally you will have to weigh in to save your sanity.These things do need planning input by guys,and its a life learning experience -for most of us pleasantly, I hope!If you put yourself out of the loop, you really are a dummy. Together you actually can do it, and this is a good exercise.

Wedding planning made easy!!!
It is a very handy reference even for a small wedding.Gave a lot of great ideas for the wedding and reception.The wedding etiquite advice included in this book was also very helpful! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Customs & Traditions    2. Family & Relationships    3. Family Relationships    4. Family/Marriage    5. Manners And Customs    6. Marriage    7. Planning    8. Reference    9. Weddings    10. Reference / Weddings    11. Self-Help & Practical Interests   

Reviews (19)

Invaluable
Everyone should read this book.There is so much information in it about how healthy families behave that it would be useful even for those who have not been subject to an extremely close relationship with a parent.
Good Insights - Not enopugh practical advice
Good insights into the nature of emotional incest. Well written. Definitely worth a read, but falls short on advice as to WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT.

The right level of detail and advice
I found this book to be a good compromise between scientific explanation and practical advice. I would buy it again. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Abuse - General    2. Human Sexuality    3. Psychology    4. Family & Health    5. Psychology & Psychiatry / Human Sexuality    6. Self-Help & Practical Interests   

Reviews (3)

An extraordinary story
James McBride creates a not-very-flattering portrait of race in America in this outstanding story of his white Jewish mother and black father and stepfather.Ruth McBride was born an Orthodox Jew who came to America at the age of two. The product of a traditional, arranged, loveless marriage, her family lived in the South, and from a young age she found warmth and love only in the black community. As a teenager she left home for New York, married a black man, raised 8 children, founded a church in Brooklyn, and married again as a widow and raised another 4.
A profound reading experience
For nearly 10 years now, I have given this book to others as a gift, especially those who are interested in profound, moving literature.This book FLOWS and speaks to all of us: black, white, Jewish, gentile, young, old.I recommend this book to those I work with, to my son's high school English teachers, to anyone who is searching for a satisfying, uplifting experience.I say experience rather than 'book.'To me, reading this book is an experience.I pull it out and re-read it every year.It encourages me to face hardships, to count my blessings and to recognize that all of us are put on earth for a reason.Thank you, James McBride, for a book that has become a cornerstone in my life.

A LOVING TRIBUTE TO MOM...
This book is, indeed, a tribute to the author's mother. In it, the author, a man whose mother was white and his father black, tells two stories: that of his mother and his own. Tautly written in spare, clear prose, it is a wonderful story of a bi-racial family who succeeded and achieved the American dream, despite the societal obstacles placed in its way.
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Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography And Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Ethnic Studies - African American Studies - General    7. Mothers    8. Mothers and sons    9. New York    10. New York (State)    11. Parenting - Parent & Adult Child    12. People of Color    13. Personal Memoirs    14. Race And Ethnic Relations    15. Racially mixed people    16. Family & Relationships / Parent & Adult Child   

Reviews (26)

Beautiful book
I purchased two copies of this book, one for my father and one for my husband.As I flipped through the pages I felt I could relate to every passage that was written.They are personal, yet universal........simple but descriptive.I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to touch the heart of a dad with a little girl (or a grown little girl).

Daughters and Dads
My daughters bought this book for my husband for Father's Day; he was so moved by each sentiment that when his friend's wife gave birth to their first child a few days later (a girl!), my husband asked me to get this book to give to the new parents. He felt that it was the most profound gift for the occasion, not just for now but for future years, to be read and re-read at all stages of their daughter's life. If these pages don't touch your heart as you read each one.....you need to visit a cardiologist to make sure you still have a beating, functional heart! And I recommend the companion book to be purchased with this one - a perfect set; "Why a Daughter Needs a Mom"

great book for daddy!
It is quite a task trying to get my husband to read anything other than Sports Illustrated.I bought this for his first father's day from our 9 month old girls and then guilt-tripped him a little into at least opening it.He humored me and began to read the sweet little passages.I left the room and he called me back in several times to read parts that he liked.He sat there and read the whole thing!!I think any daddy's heart strings will be plucked by the touching words in this book.Hey, if my husband actually read and enjoyed it, any father would!!A bit pricy for such a small book, but the emotional messages inside are big in comparison.I highly recommend! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Family & Relationships    2. Family Relationships    3. Fathers and daughters    4. Inspirational    5. Inspirational - Gifts    6. Miscellanea    7. Parent And Child    8. Parenting - Fatherhood    9. Parenting - General    10. Performing Arts/Dance    11. Pictorial works    12. Advice on parenting    13. Gift books    14. Parenthood   

Reviews (28)

"Thank You" seems so inadequate sometimes
Secret Survivors is one compelling book.The first time, I read it straight through and was sure I'd found the User's Manual to my brain.And perhaps I have.The knowledge packed into this little powerhouse of a paperback is vast and dense, and covers a huge amount of ground.You won't find any fluff, either - every word counts. The writing is tight, clear, and intelligent.And the jewel so carefully packaged within this book's pages is this: it gives the incest Survivor a way of understanding herself from a whole new orientation, one that assumes she is not a nutcase, and that there's a very good reason she acts and thinks the way she does.
Not for male survivors, or anyone who has been abused by a woman
I am a male incest survivor, and I got this book because the Courage to Heal For Women was very helpful to me; there aren't that many books for male survivors.This author has some good things to offer; it's unfortunate that the book gets clouded by her prejudice.[...] Myself and many people I know from recovery (including women) were sexually abused by their mothers or other women without any man being involved.She also insinuates that boys don't often get sexually abused.Wrong.Sexual abuse against boys is much less reported.I support anyone writing a book for female survivors, but there is no need to take shots at boys who have been sexually abused, and it's shameless to not hold female perpetrators accountable for what they have done. Any adult, male or female is responsible for their own actions.

A Rare Voice
I have been reading this book and it has been changing my life. I never really considered going out on this particular 'limb' before and I'm so grateful that this book is the first one I
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Subjects:  1. Abuse - General    2. Psychology    3. Self-Help    4. Self-Help / General   

Reviews (4)

FINALLY!! Real Info
Excellent book. I have read many books on toddler twins but I can now end my serach for "THE ONE". This is it. Practical, real life (no fluff), she tells it like it is and adds some very helpful tricks/tips. I couldn't wait until my twins were in bed at night so I could continue reading this book. I didn't rush it. I took my time and really related to each story. It was like I wrote the book, it was what my life is like. I longed to find out if there was someone else out there having the same issues as I was. It gave me a big boost of confidence when I found out it does get easier and what I have to look forward to. I had no idea what to do with my twins when they started taking off there diapers, while they were in bed, and then having accidents. But the book mentioned duct tape and it really works, it has saved me much cleaning and stress!! Thank You Elizabeth Lyons!- Mom of B/G twins 2 yrs old.

Thank you for writing this book!
Any mom out there with twins or expecting twins, this book is a humorous real look at life with twin toddlers!I am a mom who stopped working to "enjoy these precious years" with my twin boys and have been pulling my hair out during this second year.This book allowed me to laugh and validated my feelings that I'm not alone- other "twin mommies" have faced these situations. I just wish I had read "Ready or Not.... Here We Come" during the first year.I hope this author continues to write!

Okay, now we're talking!
The second I read that she also duct-taped her twin boys' diapers on, I knew this woman was speaking my language.HONEY, she was saying, YOU ME, WE SAME.And, as I tell my husband constantly, it's always nice to hear survival stories from twinmamas of older twins.
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Subjects:  1. Child Care/Parenting    2. Family & Relationships    3. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    4. Life Stages - Infants & Toddlers/General    5. Life Stages - Infants & Toddlers/Toddlers    6. Parenting - General    7. Parenting - Motherhood    8. Siblings   

Reviews (11)

A book to savour
One of many great things about this book is that it seems to have been designed to be read in little snippets.I find that I am reading 5-10 pages, then cogitating on them for a few days, and then continuing to read.
Refreshing, Life Changing.
IF YOU'RE A MOM, BUY THIS BOOK!I am sceptical of anyone trying to preach an idea to me, and I do not claim to be Buddhist. I just LOVE this book.I checked it out from a local library, but am now purchasing it so I can always have it around.It not only approaches ways to be a calmer mom, but a calmer being in your daily encounter with the world. It has changed how I approach issues, big or small; it's also inspired me to demonstrate the same zen-buddhist coping tools for my children; and it has helped me to stay in the present moment.This book taught me that Buddhism is a spirituality more than a religion.It's all about being responsible for your own feelings and your own perception of the world.My 6-year old is already practicing the Buddhist principle of impermanence - I overheard him telling my 2-year old that his feeling scared about starting preschool would pass, and soon he'd be having fun and forget that he was ever scared.WOW!
A Lovely Read
I found this book a lovely read and very helpful.I would highly recommended this book to any parent. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Buddhism    2. Buddhism - Rituals & Practice    3. Eastern - Buddhism    4. Mother and child    5. Parenting    6. Parenting - General    7. Parenting - Motherhood    8. Philosophy    9. Religion - World Religions    10. Religious aspects    11. Religious life    12. Women Buddhists    13. Child care & upbringing    14. Mind, body, spirit: disciplines & techniques    15. Philosophy / Eastern / Buddhism   

Editorial Review

Many mothers have long suspected that they're getting the short end of the deal--and finally, a highly respected economics journalist proves they're not just griping. Despite all the lip service given to the importance of motherhood, American mothers are not only not paid for all the work they do, but also penalized for it. "The gift of care can be both selfless and exploited," writes Ann Crittenden in this intrepid and groundbreaking work. Motherhood is dangerously undervalued--it's now the single biggest risk factor for poverty in old age. Mothers lose out in forgone income if they stay at home, an inflexible job market makes part-time work scarce or inadequately paid, and in the case of divorce, they're refused family assets by divorce laws that don't count their unpaid work. Read more

Reviews (56)

Raging Sense of Entitlement in the name of Motherhood
Believe it or not, I do agree with some points that she makes in this book.Motherhood is a very undervalued job, and we certainly still have a long way to go to acheive equality between men and women when it comes to childrearing.I also agree that mothers should have a decent maternity leave and that there should be better laws for deadbeat dads.
a lot she doesn't consider
This book raises interesting points about motherhood and its lack of value in society.I agree with some of her suggestions, such as giving Social Security credits to mothers and providing decent maternity leave to all mothers.
Three cheers for mothers
Motherhood is the most under-valued job in the Western world today, argues economics journalist Ann Crittenden. While everyone may give lip service to the values of motherhood, the truth is, it is an unappreciated and un-rewarded job. Governments especially may sing the praises of mothering, but they do very little to actually support mothers.
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Subjects:  1. Family & Relationships    2. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    3. Family/Marriage    4. Parenting - Motherhood    5. Women's Studies - General    6. Social Science / Women's Studies   

Reviews (4)

Worth a look--Bowen's definitely got something.
This is a well organized, thoughtful book telling the origins and details of Bowen theory. I particularly like the many cases covered in this book. It appears that they got promising results in helping families with schizophrenic children. There is also a chapter where Dr. Bowen talks about his own efforts at differentiating within his family of origin. It's one thing to talk theory--another to apply it to yourself and then write about it. Fantastic.
Read this book if you know any people
It's rare to find books that are both academically credible and accessible to the layperson. This book is the exception, and the content is truly life changing. It is unfortunate that most of the people who read this book are psychologists or psychiatrists who see it as "just another method" and go back to their simplistic "find the problem and fix it" techniques. Read this book if you know any people
It's rare to find books that are both academically credible and accessible to the layperson. This book is the exception, and the content is truly life changing. It is unfortunate that most of the people who read this book are psychologists or psychiatrists who see it as "just another method" and go back to their simplistic "find the problem and fix it" techniques.