How many Parenting Books have you read? Why/Why Not?

Tara - posted on 01/05/2012

I read the What to Expect Books, which are a good guide, but also Happiest Baby on the Block when my baby had colic, The Sleep Solution and The Baby Whisperer. In my opinion, some of these books make you feel like your doing things wrong, and confused me even more. I think just going with the flow of things helped me more than anything, and I wish I would not have read some of those books.

Brittany - posted on 01/04/2012

I've read two. One is just a generic what to expect book. It was given to me more for the breastfeeding section (which was useless).

I've also read happiest baby on the block. That one was interesting. The most useful thing in it was how to swaddle. Although neither one of mine liked to be swaddled long. It did help me with those late night crying sessions I had with my daughter.

I'm more of the call mom/sisters and ask, than to open a book for help.

Vicki - posted on 12/31/2011

I've read a few, Dr Sears Baby Book, Pinky McKay's (can't remember the title), Three in a Bed by Deborah Jackson and No Cry Sleep Solution. I've kinda followed none of them and all of them! gThese books aren't really prescriptive so I guess you don't really 'follow' them like books that give set routines or whatever.

I've also read Heart to Heart Parenting by Robin Grille. It's a bit more academic but probably the most interesting of all.

Rebekah - posted on 12/28/2011

I've read soooo many (on potty training, sleep, discipline, education, milestones, birth, etc.). I'm kind of a self-help addict though and love to read advice on different topics from several different authors to come to my own conclusions. Conflicting information does not bother me... it proves that each child is different. I just read books to find things that fit my specific child and his/her needs.

Lise - posted on 12/24/2011

I haven't read any, to be honest. I work in behavioral therapy, so I use those techniques and rely a lot on my mommy instinct. I don't feel parenting is built on absolutes - what works for one child may not work for the next; what works for one family may not work for all. I do read research articles to help with parenting - believe a lot in research.

~♥Little Miss - posted on 12/24/2011

The books that come off as "this is the only way to do it, everyone else is wrong" and make you feel like a bad parent for not executing it "properly" I avoid. It is all in the wording for sure.

~♥Little Miss - posted on 12/24/2011

I think it is nice to have a guide to let you know you are not alone. I have read a few parenting books, just for preperation. The thing is, you read about what problems you are having, and try and see what can work for you. I don't think parenting books are meant as a "how to" just a "try it and see" kind of a thing.

Really, the only book that I truly followed was a "super foods baby book" I made my own food, and THAT was a how to book that I followed. It was really helpful and full of really useful information. BUT there were things in it I had no interest in doing, so I didn't.

Sharon - posted on 12/18/2011

I read anything I could find for #1, when I was pregnant and for about the first 6mths, but I didn't take anything they said as it meaning it had to be done that way, or my baby had to act that way. For number 2 I didn't read anything. I do buy a couple of parenting magazines every 3/4mths, whenever an article looks interesting. That's more for the stories about toddlers since my eldest just turned 2.

Amanda - posted on 12/18/2011

I have read three, and I recently picked up a fourth on potty training. I read The What to Expect books-the first two because as a first time mom, it was nice to get some info on what to expect at different points in my pregnancy and my son's first year. I have also been given a book about child development from 1-5. It was given to me by a friend, but it helps to give me guidance when I am worried about, say, my son's language development. I do go with my instincts on a lot of things, but it is nice to use my instincts, what my son is telling me, and advice from a book to attempt to get a fuller picture on what I should expect and why. As for the potty training book, I haven't started it yet, but I want some 'assistance' as I tackle potty training with my son.