Relationships Books

The divine drops, are true "magic" pose as the book suggests! This book is a must for parents of infants, especially if they have colic.

Okay, when I picked this book up, I rolled my eyes and thought, "oh brother." As if there aren't enough things for a baby to learn. But I was curious about the activities that the book would provide so I read through it anyway. I admit I was skeptical from the start. I'll tell you that this book is chock FULL of self promotion and I found that incredibly irritating. More than half of this book is just trying to convince the reader how wonderful yoga is, especially itsy bitsy yoga. Fine. I got it. Yoga is good. Itsy Bitsy Yoga is better. I do understand alot of yoga is the mind set (which is a topic beaten like a dead horse in this book), but I'm gonna tell you, I'm a mom of a toddler and a baby, and I just don't have time for the "tranquility" of yoga. I wish I did, but I don't. I have to be a pretty flexible lady. (no pun intended) I just want some activities I could personally do with my 9 month old and my 2 year old. When you get past all the cheerleading in the book, the activities are terrific. They are personal, and simple, and fun to do. And like the book states (over and over) you can spend as much time as you can afford with the "poses." The book itself is easy to follow and have some terrific tips to add along with the poses (like songs and variations, etc) They have plenty of photos, and the book is divided by major milestones instead of ages. At the end of each chapter is a quick reference of what poses work for whatever situation you are in. That is so handy. I really like this book as a reference guide. This book is meant for children from birth to 24 months, so I took a quick glance into the older tot chapters to see what they were like. When my oldest was between 1 and 2 years I don't think she would've copied what I did, nor would she have done any poses with encouragement, so I checked out how you were supposed to interact with the older set. Alot of the poses for the older kids still have parental interaction (which I think she would've liked) so I think this is a pretty realistic guide on what your child can and would want to do (since kids can be so different). There is nothing extreme (yoga-wise) in this book, and if you can't make your home have a nice tranquil atmosphere, alot of the poses can be done in a playful way. So as much as I don't like the writing in the book, I really liked the poses.

I bought this book when my daughter was about 8 months old and wish I bought it sooner. It is a fun and playful book that gives parents great ideas for age-appropriate activities for baby. It is perfect for working parents who want to have special, fun activities during their time together or stay at home parents looking for ways to engage their babies. There is always something new to try and everything is geared to your baby's developmental stage. It has also motivated me to become more enthusiastic toward my own yoga practice again. My baby loves these poses.

I purchased this a few weeks ago and have been practising the poses for my daughter everyday since it arrived. My 4 mth old loves doing her daily yoga exercise and I have to say that the Magic poses do really work! If you are thinking of buying a yoga book for your baby - let it be this one . It's easy to follow and has different sets of yoga to do at different times of the day.

I took the local Itsy Bitsy Yoga class and decided I wanted to create a home routine, so I bought this book. It has been very informative and helpful. I do Itsy Bitsy Yoga with my daughter every morning and she loves it!

There's one thing that all Moms have in common, lack of time. Whether you're a stay at home, work at home, or work away from home Mom you likely find yourself running around taking care of others but just never seem to have the time to take care of yourself. Indeed, many of us even believe that to take time for ourselves would be selfish and take precious time away from those we love.

Mom Management: Managing Mom Before Everybody Else reminds us that when we are strong, healthy, and positive we can actually take better care of those around us. This book also shows that taking care of ourselves can be achieved in small ways that manifest into huge rewards. For instance, taking time to be alone might be achieved by taking a bath or spending time reading but the resulting positive frame of mind and the energy will allow us to take care of our responsibilities with renewed vigour. Likewise, by allowing ourselves to be something other than Mommy sometimes we show our children the importance of being all that we are.

Mom Management helped me focus in a way that I have never been able to focus before. Tracy Lyn's book is well-written, clear, and chock full of wisdom. It served to encourage me to go for the things that I wanted to get to for a long time. For instance, I finally submitted a short story to a literary magazine that I had wanted to send for some time. Placing that task under her category for "immediate goals," I went for it. It was accepted by the magazine editor within one hour!

Mom Management helps the reader actually recognize and then utilize the tools that she already possesses. It motivates the reader to eliminate wasteful activity, drives home the message of prioritizing and helps the reader, in a non-threatening manner, to work towards her dreams with great love and encouragement. Tracy is so real, so honest, and incredibly open in communicating her commitment to helping others. I highly recommend her book to everyone, mother or not, who is looking to hone their time management skills!

Ok, I'm not a Mom. But I'm married to a Mom, and I've been a stay-at-home Dad for the last two years. With four young children, I'm always amazed to turn around at the end of the day and see what a never-ending, often thankless job a Mom has.

The family room gets cleaned up, but an hour later it looks like a toy store just exploded. There are new piles of laundry to do. There's always one more dirty dish, one more homework assignment to sign, one more sibling fight to referee.

As a result, how many Moms put their own needs on the back burner and deny themselves the personal time they deserve? Tracy Lyn Moland shows you how to claim that time back and, as she puts it, "take care of the Me in Mommeee".

Mom Management is a simple, common sense walk through rediscovering your dreams, taking action, setting goals, balancing multiple priorities, streamlining your schedule, making time for yourself, taking proper care of your physical and spiritual needs, and getting organized. It has an easy to follow workbook format, chock full of powerful, inspirational quotes and helpful thoughts from other moms.

Mom Management will give you all the basic tools you need to be an effective Mom and still have time for yourself. And Dads can read it too!

Larry Hehn, author of Get the Prize: Nine Keys for a Life of Victory

I hate to be the lone party pooper here, but I really was not terribly impressed with this book. I suppose I had high hopes because I feel I could definitely stand to improve on my time management skills (not to mention self-care habits), but I didn't find much of anything that I hadn't heard before or thought of myself. Maybe I should give myself credit for being more organized than I think I am (or at least for knowing what *needs* to be done, even if I don't always do it!) I have not yet completed all of the worksheets she provides, although I did print them from her website. I just can't see how any of this is going to bring me to any earth-shattering revelations. The quotes from other moms were mostly ideas I'd heard before, and many were very general and not helpful in the least (e.g., "Keep organized" and "Stay on top of things")! I agree with the basic premise of the book, but I already knew that it's impossible to be a good mother if you don't learn to put your own needs first and nurture yourself. Unfortunately, this book didn't offer any new or creative suggestions for doing that.

Mom Management helped me focus in a way that I have never been able to focus before. Tracy Lyn's book is well-written, clear, and chock full of wisdom. It served to encourage me to go for the things that I wanted to get to for a long time. For instance, I finally submitted a short story to a literary magazine that I had wanted to send for some time. Placing that task under her category for "immediate goals," I went for it. It was accepted by the magazine editor within one hour!

Mom Management helps the reader actually recognize and then utilize the tools that she already possesses. It motivates the reader to eliminate wasteful activity, drives home the message of prioritizing and helps the reader, in a non-threatening manner, to work towards her dreams with great love and encouragement. Tracy is so real, so honest, and incredibly open in communicating her commitment to helping others. I highly recommend her book to everyone, mother or not, who is looking to hone their time management skills!

I really enjoy this journal b/c it takes the pressure off having to write a lot. I've always liked the idea of keeping a journal so that both myself and my daughter can remember all the small details that you think you will never forget but unfortunately do. However, every time I've started a journal, I never got past a few entries b/c I just didn't find the time and felt like it was another chore on my to do list. But with this pre-printed journal which gives just a small space per entry, I don't feel guilty about writing so little and can jot down thoughts very quickly. I would recommend this to any new mom, especially working moms too who will have limited spare time as it is.

This is a cute journal to write down little things about your child. I like it because I only like to write every so often and I didn't want a "Baby Book" I would get this book if you want to jot down a few things about your child to help you remember them later, or for your child to read when they are older:)

The book came in the condition it stated and I was very excited to find it since I had purchased one to journal with my daughter, had filled the book up and couldn't find it in the local bookstores. I would place an order again.

I wanted a journal to write letters to my daughter as she grows. Many of the blank journals just seemed so, well... blank. The Mommy Journal is divided into small sections so that I can write a little note each day. I have a record of my daughter's first four years of life...priceless! I use a book per year. It is also a great way to remember events when recording photographs.

this book is perfect. i use it to write down everything and how i feel and what my kid is doing. i love it and there are no restrictions... there are separate entry dates on the page but sometimes i just keep writing if i have alot to say and it won't fit on one section.

Great book filled with wonderful and useful info. For those looking to parent their children in a naturally minded informed way this is THE book.

This book has saved my life in so many ways!! When my oldest son was five years old, he had been on various antibiotics, decongestants, antihistamines, steroids, and you name it to treat asthma, and chronic ear infections and colds for two years almost non-stop. At the time, I felt like the only thing I could do to help him was keep pumping this stuff into him... it was so depressing, and what was even worse was that nothing I gave him was even working! I felt like I had hit a wall. I didn't know what to do. Then a friend recommended this book to me. Ever since I got my hands on this gem, we have started living again. It's amazing how much valuable information and guidance for parents can be packed into one single book. One of the many sections in this book has an extensive list of illnesses, what is normally prescribed in conventional medicine for these illnesses, and then the real good stuff --homeopathic remedies that can knock out the illnesses much faster than conventional medicine, and get this -- with NO SIDE EFFECTS! My son is off of all of his old medications and is feeling and looking so much better and stronger. Now I use this book as a reference on what to do and use whenever my two younger boys, I, and even my husband are sick. And keep in mind there is so much more in this priceless book, I've only mentioned one section. I open up this book several times each week and I know once you see what this book has to offer, you will too!

All I can say is WOW. I feel like this book has helped me to be a better parent, and I can say...that my daughter has never had and anti-biotic as a result of following this book and visiting Dr. Feder. I have loaned this book to neighbors, family and friends...It is a life saver!

Natural Baby and Childcare is a great book for treating conditions in adults as well as children. While I was visiting my daughter and grandchildren, I came down with a cold, and used Dr. Feder's book to treat my symptoms. The A to Z section on treating illnesses was easy to navigate and understand. I appreciated the guidelines on home treatments and found the right homeopathic medicine for my symptoms. I feel that the treatments allowed me to heal quicker and enjoy my time with my family. I would recommend this book to adults too!

Read it as a novel, read it when your kids are sick and you are looking for help, read it when you are sick, read it when you want your family to stay healthy. Read it!!!!

One of my favorite picture books of all time. This sweet story is about opening up your heart to new friends even after you've lost all your old friends--it would be great for children who move to a new school or town. The text is a little on the long side for a picture book, but for this story it fits.

We have loved many of Cynthia Rylant's books, including the Henry and Mudge series and the Mr. Putter and Tabby series. However, I think this is her best book of all. The old woman reminded me so much of my late mother, who did name things, and also didn't want to get close to anything new in her old age, afraid they would outlive her. Happily, she and the old woman in the story both took a chance. I still tear up everything I read this book.

The illustrations are beautiful and the message is wonderful. I will continue to read this long after my kids are grown, probably when I am the old woman naming things!

I was explaining this story to a friend and actually got choked up just thinking about it! I read this every year to my students and every year I am moved by it. It details an old woman's life and how she has learned to attach herself to inanimate things rather than living things because so many people in her life have died. Ultimately she finds companionship in a dog. The most poignant part of the story comes when she looks back at her life and realized her human interactions have enriched her life and she decides to name the dog and claim him as her own! Ah, see, I'm tearing up again! What a sap!

We bought this book for our 5-year old son after reading a positive magazine review of it. Still, when we received it, it surpassed our expectations. This is a great book! Our son has read it over and over with our family and he even asked to bring it to school for the "hundredth day" of school. It also was timely because our family had suffered some losses this past year and the book provided a good reason for us to talk about why the old lady may have been reticent to name something and how her feelings changed by the end of the book. It's a somewhat silly (in a good way) book to read yet it still has a wonderful message. Our 8-year-old daughter loved it too. We all did, actually! Great book - buy it and enjoy!

Cynthia Rylant has done it again-- this story tells of an elderly woman who has outlived most of those she loved and doesn't want to risk a new attachment-but but a nameless stray dog changes her mind. The story is done with a wonderful blend of humor and poignancy. It is a favorite in one pre-K classroom I know--wonderful way to positively approach those tricky issues of aging and death with young children.

I thought this was an amazing book. Lisa has a way of giving advice and encouragement that never sounds condescending or preachy. She really has a beautiful spirit. I've given this book as a gift to several of my girlfriends.

Not only is a quick read, it has some great ideas for how to help any Mom with the struggles that she faces every day. I really enjoyed it and look forward to trying ideas in her "rest stops". One note though it is very spiritual, so if that isn't your thing you may not like it as much.

I am always looking for help getting myself better organized and doing what is right not what is easy. This is an awesome book with great suggestions. Thanks Lisa!

This is a great resource for mothers with small children who struggle with making time for their spiritual side. Many practical suggestions that can be incorporated in everyday life. I would recommend it highly.

I really enjoyed this book and found it very helpful. Lisa shows busy moms how to take care of their spirits, bodies, souls, selves, and relationships. After discussing the importance of each area, she gives several specific examples of how to take care of this part of you. For example, under taking care of your soul, she lists some fun things to do with your family--such as pillow fights, a paper airplane distance contest (big hit at my house!), making a house out of cardboard and having a meal in it, playing dodgeball (outside!), buying a cake and having them print "Happy Monday" on it, taking the kids to breakfast at a fast food restaurant in their pajamas, etc. I liked that she not only discussed general considerations for us as moms and WHY it is so important to take care of ourselves (and that we aren't being selfish in doing so), but she shows us HOW.

This is an excellent, straight-forward, sensitive book that deals with a topic that is difficult. It is written so that it can be easily understood and is incredibly helpful to victims as well as therapists who treat them. The author validates the victim's world and encourages the victim to get help and talks about the many males who have survived and are healing.

As a spouse of a survivor, I read this book which also offered advice to partners and spouses. This book gave way too many examples and other info for the first 4 chapters. Most of us already have an idea of what sexual abuse against boys can entail, there were just way too many stories of survivors that were disturbing and difficult to read. It did however give important insight and ways to get help and help yourself but it came along with a lot of unneeded information. If you have the time and patience it is a good tool towards recovery.

A thoughtful book re sexual abuse of people who are trying to get past the victim ideology. The writer has had much experience in treating these people and his suggestions are helpful.

If you or a loved one have been the victim of childhood sexual abuse then this book is an excellent resourcee. It deals primarily with Male Survivors and provides great insight into how coping mechanisms have become a way of life. It allows survivors to carefully examine their feelings and relationship choices in a positive and affirming manner, and begin to make changes to a healty lifestyle. If you have decided to read this book, well done!!! You have taken the first steps to reclaiming your life!

I gave this wonderful book to my husband who is in recovery from childhood sexual abuse by his father. He cried and read , cried and read from start to finish. The book is empowering, healing and filled with truth that heals. I recommend it as an essential read for those in recovery and for those who love them. Kate

I was just looking things up when I came across something that some one wrote in a review on Why Daddy, Why?...I would be more then happy to answer your questions. First of all if you go to the Berlin library and look up the old news papers, you will find out about the fire that took place when the Columbia Hotel burned down. But at that time it had changed names to Fournier's rooms.
My aunt Louise bought the hotel from my father. Her last name was Fournier.
I have pictures of the Hotel with fire trucks in front of the building putting the fire out.. Now theres just a big hole where the building use to be..with park benches..right on Main Street. next to the flower shop.
Second thing was the convent remarks. Yes some of the Nuns were very abusive.. I have scares on my legs where I was hit with rulers where the steal part went into my legs..also have the scar on my wrist where I tried to kill myself after being raped. And yes, my sister and I had numbers for our names..I was 64 and Cecile was 121.. Not all the girls were abused but many were.. your 65..10 years older then I was in the convent..The older girls were treated much better. Maybe because they were older and more mature. it was the younger girls that were put there that had no parents coming to see them that were treated much worse.. I'm glad that you were one of the girls that were treated better, I truly am. No child should have to go through such horrible things.
I have come in contact through my book signings with some girls that were in the convent around the same time I was and they too remember how bad it was but then again, there my age.
There are no exaggerations in the book..if anything there are things that I never wrote about.. Things that are to painful to deal with right now. Someday, maybe I'll be able to put that pain to paper.
I can understand your questions and I respect that. Please know that what is in the book, is the horrible truth and I'm glad I was able to write about it..
My precious mama died 4 months ago..she was my best friend.. my heart is hurting.. thank you for your review of 5 stars and thank you for believing that my father was a cruel man. if you have any more questions feel free to email me at my new address ( I've been taking care of my step father since mama passed away).. its, ej64@metrocast.net
I hope this was of some help to you. Emelia Hardy

I am from Berlin. I read the book. It is a great piece of writing. I believe the abuse with her father truly happened. However, having been a boarder at the convent in Gorham, during the 50's I had difficulty believing the cruelty of the nun in question. We were never abused, and we were never called by a number. They used our names. Also, I am 65 years of age and cannot recall the Columbia Hotel, nor do I know the location of the Fournier boarding house. I would love to talk to the author and get some of my questions answered.

This book describes unimaginable fear, pain and intimidation that Emelia and her family members suffered at the hands of their father. As well as, the nuns she went to live with when her mama had to leave and her father could not, or would not care for her any longer.
A father is someone who is suppose to protect his family from all evil. Unfortunately, not in this case. Her father physically and emotionally abused his family for years, until the day came when mama, after suffering her worst beating yet and was forced to seek a better life. Some will question how a mother could leave her children in that environment, and be so selfish as to look out for her self before her children. I say, read the book before you pass judgment. I call what mama did courageous and brave.
After reading Why daddy, why I was able to contact Emelia. Since the book was published in 2002, I wanted to ask her what happened to some of the people she talks about in the book. I will not tell of her responses, that's for Emelia to tell. I have had the Honor of getting to know Emelia. She has amazing strength and courage. She has no ill will towards her father, and in the last page of the book she says,"I have forgiven daddy". This is something I will probably never be able to understand. She assures me things are better now.
To all of you who have suffered or continue to suffer as Emelia has. May you find the courage and the strength to move on and find a better life.
I look forward to reading her children' book, The Adventures of Maureen and Maury to my kids, and I wish her all the best.

This is a book that once you start to read it, you can't put it down.It keeps you on the edge of your seat. You have to keep reading because you have to know what else is going to happen.
It's unbelievable what this family went through!.
It goes on to tell what the author went through being split from her other siblings and mother. What a terrible life this child had!
While living with nun's in a convent, it's hard to imagine that these woman of God could be so cruel! and Emelia tells it all!
The Author described in detail all the terrible things that took place in her life..and there were many things!.. Everyone should read this book!...alcoholics, child abusers, and wife beaters..then and only then, maybe they can see what there actions can do to a family and especially a five year old girl who grows up and ends up trying to kill herself when she was only fifteen from something that wasn't her fault!
The reader will be drawn into this true story and can't help but fall in love with this little girl.
The reader will find that this is a very easy book to read because it is written by that same little girl, Emelia.

My daughter never has been an effectionate person. She would come over to visit me and I always had to ask for a hug before she left for home. My heart would ache because of it. I bought this book, Why Daddy Why? and found myself hurting inside all the more because I wanted my daughter to love me the way the author of this book loved her mother. Never have I seena bond between a mother and daughter like this one and I mean never.
Even after the mother runs away during a beating that is unheard of in this day and age. Back 40 years ago I found out it was coman for men to treat their wife that way and no one knew.This bond stayed strong in the heart of this little girl even being sent to a convent with nuns that abused her and her sister that was already there. I could feel that her sister Cecile loved her sister and I could feel her pain also.
My daughter came over one day and saw the book on my table, she asked if she could take it and I said yes that I was finished with it. She came back two days later and I didn't here her come in the next thing I knew she was behind me and gave me a hug. She said thank you Mom for the way you took care of me when I was little. My daughter told me she never realized how forunate she was.
Now my daughter greates me with open arms because of your book Emelia. I think this book saved my life. Altho there was not many hugs for me growing up there was for my girl and now she knows why!!! Thank You Again Emelia

I have enjoyed this book so much. I have gotten so many little gems from it and so much wisdom. Things that I knew I should have been doing with my grandson but such great eyeopeners. This is a great book for 3yrs and older. I will be odering more copies as gifts. Teresa

This book is a simple, inspiring parenting book. I give it to anyone I know who has children. And if you read it more than once, you will get more out of it every time. It's about raising kids, it's about living a full life.

I was given this book as a gift when my son was a baby. I was instantly drawn to the message. Mr. Vannoy's advice is from the heart and carries a loving and respectful message. I have read and re-read the book at least a half dozen times and once in a while, I'll pick it up and open to any chapter, just to give myself a parenting boost. It really lifts the spirits and reinforces that we can have deep and meaningful relationships with our children based on love and respect for each other. Over the years, there have been many times where I given thanks that this book came into my life at just the right time. I'm proud to say, it's played an important role in the Mom that I am, which my kids will tell you, is the best!

I've ordered plenty of copies of this book to give out to new parents, including it with their baby shower gifts. And I gave a copy to my cousin, when she married a man, who came with 2 teenage sons.

A big thank you to Stephen Vannoy for writing this important book. A must read for every adult that influences the lives of children.

I first read this book five years ago and just came back to it as I was confronted with some parenting challenges. What is most clear to me about author Steven Vannoy is that he's not a therapist or "expert." He's just a very observant parent and great teacher. Other reviewers said it perfectly: it's simply the best book on parenting ever.

Steven Vannoy and Catherine Schneider have encapsulated everything that we need to know to parent effectively from the get-go! I am recommending them to all my friends who are becomming new parents. Thanks!

As a teacher with my first child, I wanted to be sure to know the best techniques for simulating my little one's mind and helping him through the developmental stages. This book combines research with practical suggestions for developing attention, bonding (for emotional stability and security), and communication. It is written in parent friendly language and the activities are easy to implement. Many of them come naturally to parents and it is great to know that you are already doing the right things to help your child. Reassuring and informative!

I had checked the book out from the library, read it, and enjoyed it. I later decided I wanted to have it on hand as a reference as my daughter grew, so I purchased it. It is full of information about brain development and how you can help your child grow. Do not mistake this for a "how to build a Superbaby" book. The key word in the title is "nurture".

As a new mom and a kindergarten teacher, I love this book!! I really wanted to know how to take every opportunity to interact with my little one in ways that were beneficial to his development. The book is very reassuring in that as parents we do most of these things already. As an educator, the science information is facinating! I also love that this book is not about teaching your child to read (not a pre-requisite for kindergarten...), but it is about cultivating your child so that they can make the most of their future learning experiences.

Simply put -- this is a fabulous book. It has the perfect mix of scientific research and practical easy-to-use suggestions. The author also brings to the book her experiences of a parent to a special needs daughter, providing a compassionate and insightful touch. (Not to fear -- she does not delve into overly personal and sappy anecdotes -- but rather gives the reader further evidence that she really does know of what she speaks.)

There is a lot here for parents of infants to take away. And as someone who is very interested in how the brain learns and develops, I was definitely not disappointed. The book is well researched and the science is explained in a way that is interesting and easy to understand. The organization of the book also makes it a quick reference for those that just want to know "what" to do (and not necessarily all of the "why"'s behind the activities). There are plenty of charts and tables that get right to point and offer quick reminders for parents. A very valuable resource all-around!

From the point of view of a new and inexperienced parent, this book is a fabulous find. Some other books espouse the writers opinion on what's best for your child, this one is based on scientific findings on how the brain develops and delivers this information in a very user-friendly and entertaining manner. It's just very well done.