'Parenting made easier with these helpful books'

Child rearing is arguably one of the most challenging responsibilities taken on by adults. It is made even more daunting by the plethora of books written on this topic. Parents want to be reassured about how they are raising their children; as a consequence, we librarians are regularly asked about information on this subject.

Below are some books for parents on children of all ages. They are available at the Bluffton Branch of the Beaufort County Public Library.

"The Educated Parent: Recent Trends in Raising Children," by Joseph A. Sclafani.
Sclafani, a professor and an academic dean at the University of Tampa, writes about the latest research on child development issues. The research is substantial and serious, but the book is written in a friendly and conversational style. Many of these trends are contradictory, and the author presents them so parents can sort them out and then make their own decisions.

Topics covered include day care, parents managing stress, discipline, the role of fathers, and special issues such as adoption and chronic illness. For updates, go to the Web site that accompanies this book: EducatedParent.com

" Why Do They Act That Way? A Survival Guide to the Adolescent Brain for You and Your Teen," by David Walsh, Ph.D., with Nat Bennett.
This is a very readable and informative book on adolescent behavior. The author's focus is on the biological changes that occur and how they impact teen behavior and consequently provide many challenges for parents who must interact with their teens. As a professional psychologist and the parent of three grown children, Walsh provides insight from both perspectives.

" The Baby Whisperer Solves All Your Problems: Sleeping, Feeding, and Behavior-Beyond the Basics from Infancy through Toddlerhood," by Tracy Hogg and Melinda Blau.
This is the third title that Hogg and Blau have written on "baby whisperers." This book clarifies and answers the many questions that parents have asked the authors in person at book signings or emailed to their Web site: babywhisperer.com.

Experiences with many individual families are shared. Small difficulties, the authors tell us, can be caught before they become major ones. Likewise, major difficulties can be resolved. A wide variety of parenting issues are addressed, and problem-solving techniques and remedies are provided.

The key is to listen to your baby, note her body language, be patient and consistent, and establish a routine, all the while knowing that routine will soon change again and again.

" Itsy Bitsy Yoga: Poses to Help Your Baby Sleep Longer, Digest Better, and Grow Stronger," by Helen Garabedian
Two translations of the word yoga are "to unite" and "to come together." The author notes in the Introduction that the practice of yoga can provide an excellent time, free from distractions, for parents to bond with their babies.

There are techniques and exercises (with many illustrations) for all stages of development from newborns to school age children.

Garabedian emphasizes that no previous experience with yoga is necessary. And in addition to the health benefits, you will also have fun, she notes!

" Too Much of a Good Thing: Raising Children of Character in an Indulgent Age," by Dan Kindlon, Ph.D.
Kindlon, co-author of the bestselling, Raising Cain, is a clinical psychologist and a professor at Harvard University. He presents results from data gleaned from a formal study as well as interviews with parents and students outside the scope of the study.

The issues he focuses on include: do today's teens consider themselves spoiled; how many help with chores at home; how many regularly eat dinner with their family; and how many use drugs or alcohol.

The empirical data from these studies and research convinced Kindlon that parents need to communicate more and be more involved with their teens and be aware of their activities, while at the same time being able to set limits.

This week's Between the Lines column was written by branch manager Ann Rosen.