Book Club!

Jascinta - posted on 01/16/2011

what a great idea.... i love reading!!!! i've just started a book called 'how to keep people from pushing your buttons' by albert ellis Ph.D. so far its pretty interesting. basically he explains that situations* don't create our feelings/reactions.... the way we think in response to a situation creates our feelings/reactions. eg:- if you throw a snake at most people , they're gonna run and scream because they're immediate thought is 'danger, run!'. but if you threw a snake at someone that handled snakes for a living , they're response is going to be alot calmer because they think so diferently. hard to explain lol. seems good though. i'm thinking of reading 'loving without spoiling' by nancy samalin next- has anyone read it??? not sure what to expect.

Jess - posted on 12/28/2010

I have found a new series of books that I love. The author is Trace Moroney and the books are from "The things I love" series. Titles such as "The things I love about Bedtime.

Sarah - posted on 12/23/2010

New book for me and i'm so excited to start this "Unberable Lightness" by Portia Degeneres (De Rossi) only a couple of chapters in and oh my i have cried because it's so personal and I never realised how so much like me she really is

Charlie - posted on 12/23/2010

Kelly my Nanna LOVES that series !!

Kelly - posted on 12/23/2010

Has anyone read Stieg Larsson's "The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" series?
I have read the first two books (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo & The Girl Who Played With Fire) and absolutely loved them.
They are the first novels I've read in quite a while, so maybe that's why I couldn't put them down :P
The third and last book in the series is "The Girl Who Kicked a Hornets' Nest" and I cannot wait to read it....I have not purchased it yet b/c I think I am getting it for Christmas. I will be rather disappointed if I don't!

Charlie - posted on 11/24/2010

Oh and I love this site I used it a lot before I had kids as a teacher .
http://thebookgarden.com.au/

Charlie - posted on 11/24/2010

I'm reading happiest toddler on the block at the moment , it's repetitive but it makes sense

Mylene - posted on 11/19/2010

ME TOO ME TOO!



Edit to add: "I have it on hold at the library, yippee!"

Chatty - posted on 11/19/2010

Ooooh, ooh -- I wanna read Dr. Phil's book. Good thing Christmas is comin'...

Sarah - posted on 11/18/2010

Just started "Hurry up and Meditate" by David Michie and am half way through "wherever you go there you are" by Jon Kabat-Zinn (so far so good) Just finished "Family First" by Dr Phil McGraw....must say its fantastic!

Mylene - posted on 11/18/2010

Started reading Vampire Academy yesterday and already finished the first book. Very god so far!

Jennifer - posted on 11/18/2010

I read books by Christine feehan christina dodd and j r ward

Sarah - posted on 10/25/2010

Just finished reading the Five people you meet in heaven...written by the same guy who wrote tuesdays with Morrie....its awesome!

Mylene - posted on 10/25/2010

I am about 100 pages into Pride and Prejudice. I LOVE IT.

Krista - posted on 10/17/2010

I just picked up "The Happiest Toddler on the Block" and just two chapters in, it's already making a LOT of sense.

Mylene - posted on 10/14/2010

Another book for my wish list! Please let me know how you find it :D.

Sarah - posted on 10/14/2010

New book: I am now reading the Happiness trap, only a chapter in because ive been feeling too unwell to do anything :( so far so good

Mylene - posted on 10/13/2010

I was raised in the brick-wall family (my dad), Jelly-fish mother and backbone grand-mother. My mom is more the jellyfish type though but I was pretty much raised by my grand-mother and then lived with my dad after my parents separated. Kevin is mostly back-bone but also has the brick-wall tendency since he was raised that way. We are both working very hard to break that cycle and we are doing good so far *pats her back*

I think I am mostly back bone but I fall into some brick-wall as well especially when I am stressed or tired... I hate hearing myself say things I swore I would never say: " Enough, do what I am telling you to do and STOP IT NOW."... *shudders*

The backbone parenting is what appeals to me the most and always what I wanted to become as a parent. It is hard not to fall into the traps of how I was raised but little by little we are working on it. I feel comfortable and never second guess myself (or Kev) when we use the PBS methods. So for me this is the ideal.

Chatty - posted on 10/13/2010

I'm only on chapter 7, "Keeping you cool...." but I'm absolutely loving it also. Just wondering what type of family you related most to Mylene? Was one more prominent than another or did you fall somewhere in between? I'm also finding the book and her words very relatable.

Mylene - posted on 10/13/2010

I just finished Barbara Coloroso's book Kids are worth it.

The book describes 3 main types of families; brick-wall, jellyfish and backbone. She gives examples for every situations and explains the downfalls and advantages of parenting techniques. She focuses on raising kids who are confident, self-aware and free to express themselves. I absolutely love her approach and recommend the book to anyone who wants to learn more about PBS. this book is a bible to me and I will be sure to purchase a copy to keep close by. I sarted using some of her techniques with my son and WOW, just wow. It falls naturally into our family life and the results are amazing. My son has tantrums like any other 2 year old. I always tried to validate his feelings but Coloroso's book just gave me precise directions to help me make it better.

I now get down to his level and rub his backand hair and tell him it's okay to be upset/sad/mad/hungry, etc. and let him know that there are other ways to express those feelings. I identify the feeling and once he is calm we discuss it and find solutions (when possible)... We have been doing this for barely over a week and my son told me last night that: "mad diaper, mommy" which translates to: "I'm mad because you put a diaper on me and I don't like it." and he closed the door to my room to cool off.
Then, he came out and we discussed the potty.

He also took an habit of biting and I used the same technique. He bit me twice in a row at the grocery store. I stayed calm (omg that was hard, the mark stayed for 2 days) told him there were other ways to express frustration. He hasn't bit anyone since...

Coloroso's book is well written and presents positive behavior strategies and WHY they should be used as opposed to other techniques. the writing is clear and concise. Can't say enough about it.

Sorry for the rambling, my thoughts are all over the place.

Jess - posted on 09/27/2010

Well to make me feel like a more grown up parent I have read "up the duff" and "kid wrangling" Kid wrangling is great, its like a first timers bible. You read whats relevant for your kids current age.... put it down and come back a few weeks later to get some more current info. Gotta love a book that keeps on giving and doesn't require cover to cover reading !!!

Cynthia - posted on 09/25/2010

I love the classics. I preferred Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre, couldn't get into her sister Emily's Wuthering Heights for some reason. *shrugs* But my ultimate favourite classic novelist is Jane Austen. I've read all of her books over and over again. She really has a nack for pulling you into her characters and getting you to feel what they are experiencing. Amazing talent to be able to do that.
@ Sarah ~ To Kill A Mocking Bird was my favourite book when I was in Highschool along with Animal Farm. Hmmm, I should read those again, it's been awhile. lol

Mylene - posted on 09/25/2010

Sarah, I have to admit I haven;t read any of them... I OWN Animal farm and never read it!!! might get into that after my pile of parenting books is done.

Sarah - posted on 09/24/2010

loved wuthering heights! it's in my book collection as well as 1984 by george orwell, animal farm, also by george orwell and my absolute favourite book, to kill a mocking bird by harper lee!

Mylene - posted on 09/23/2010

FYI, all book suggestions are welcome. It just happened that I was reading parenting books when I posted this. Anything goes as long as you have an opinion on it. I am an avid reader so I could go on and on and on about all the things I've read hahaha. Does anyone of you also read French? I have read excellent books from French authors but it's no use posting them if no one can read them. gqtm

I read the Twilight series too and found it was excellent... still not interested in watching the movies. Kristen Stewart gets on my nerves and Edward was much better looking in my mind.

One book I have read SO many times is Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte. I love the complexity and intensity of the emotions portrayed. i will let you know in advance for those who haven't read it that there is some weird family relationships. It is disturbing if you look into the relationships closely.

I also loved the "Spiderwick Chronicles" the movie was also incredible to watch.

Cynthia - posted on 09/23/2010

@ Jess ~ I've read that series 3x...lol

Chatty - posted on 09/23/2010

Just for the record, until I started Barbara's book I hadn't read a book since highschool. I HATE reading....it puts me to sleep....needless to say, it's a slow go.

Nikki - posted on 09/23/2010

Oh one that I have read Jess!

Jess - posted on 09/23/2010

The twilight Saga... can't recommend it highly enough. Hehehe, sorry I know that has nothing to do with parenting, but I couldn't help myself !

Meghan - posted on 09/23/2010

Ok, this book really has nothing to do with parenting...but I have been reading "The Shock Doctrine" by Naomi Klein for sociology....this book blows my mind! Anyone who is interested (and has the time lol) to focus on a political and- what I like to call "adult" book--this is the one to read!!

Chatty - posted on 09/22/2010

Thanks for pinning it, Nikki. It's not letting me in to the admin options at the top of the thread? I click on it and nothing happens???

Nikki - posted on 09/22/2010

Great idea! Don't know why you couldn't pin it Dana? I have been meaning to buy some parenting books for hubby to read, it will be great to hear some reviews.

Mylene - posted on 09/22/2010

I had started a book called " The Undervalued Self" by Elaine Aron, PhD... I really loved the way she talked about how we "learned" to undervalue ourselves, how it can show in real life and she also gives tasks which help find the cause and work out the problem. She also relates events in our childhood to attitudes/perceptions we have of ourselves now. It is a very big eye opener to things I never thought affected me but really did in the end. It also showed me that positive parenting is the way to go if I want my son to grow up confident.

To be honest, I had to take a break from reading it because it was so hard for me to go pick at all those events/emotions she was asking the reader to do. I read about 25% of the book, and still working on some of the tasks and once I feel I am ready I will continue. For anyone who has self-esteem issues, motivation issues, depression or anything of the sort, I suggest this book.

Sarah - posted on 09/22/2010

I'm currently reading a book my psychologist gave me called "What happy women know" by Dan Baker (Ph D), Cathy Greenberg (Ph D) and Ina Yalof. nearly finished it and it's been a great read very insightful and I found that I could relate to a lot of it and have even put into practice some of the strategies

Chatty - posted on 09/21/2010

I want to pin this thread to the top of our main page but for some reason it won't let me. I'ma talk to Nikki and figure out what's going on.

Chatty - posted on 09/21/2010

I'm about half way through Barbara Coloroso's "Kids are worth it! - raising resilient, responsible, compassionate kids" So far I can really relate. She breaks down everything to it's core and gives real life examples of what TO do, what NOT to do and, how to get there. She talks about 'three kinds of families' (Brickwall, Jellyfish and Backbone)....she explains, again using examples, the three different types of families hoping that you'll identify with one or more of them so you can learn what type of parent you are. Once you are aware of your faults you can begin to take a hard look at how to fix things or do things differently so you can achieve the outcome you desire for you and your children. It also talks about threats, punishment, bribes and rewards and how they're all very similar and will ultimately create the same outcome.

I just picked up Alfie Kohn's "Unconditional Parenting" from the bookstore a few days ago so I'll be starting it next! Can't wait.

Cynthia - posted on 09/21/2010

What a great idea Mylene.

I just started Playful Parenting by Lawrence J. Cohen PH.D. I'm only a few pages into it though, haven't had a lot of time for it lately to be honest. I like how he suggest to turn a negative into playful moments which shows positive reinforcement of good behaviour. Ummm, did that make sense? lol

I'll give you a further analysis once I get into the book a little more.