Book review- Raising Your Spirited Child.

So, I haven't done a book review in awhile. Mainly because I haven't gone on vacation recently, and that's when I usually read a couple books in a quick time span. Also, the books I have recently been reading are old mommy books from my mother and mother-in-law, so I don't really feel like those need a review or a post about. Sometimes mom books are repetitive or basic, but they are still fun to read nonetheless.

Recently I finished reading Raising Your Spirited Child. I had heard good things about it, and also wanted to read it for ideas for some of my kids at school. (Which, I am no longer working- yay!- but will still be helpful for any kids I work with down the road.) I would definitely recommend this book, whether you work with kids or have your own, or both. Even if you don't have a child that you think is technically "spirited," I still think this book has helpful ideas. Every child can show one, or a few, spirited tendencies sometimes.

Basically, as the front of the book says, it's "a guide for parents whose child is more intense, sensitive, perceptive, persistent, and energetic." In the beginning, she goes through and describes each of these characteristics and how to help with them. Then, she goes through and talks about different tough times, like naps/meals/holidays/etc. and talks about how each of these characteristics could be problematic for those things and ways to help cope with them. I thought it was quite informative and gave good ideas that are actually tangible, doable, and helpful.

I would recommend!

Here is an overview of the book from barnesandnoble.com:

Newly revised, featuring the most up-to-date research, effective strategies, and real-life stories

The spirited child—often called "difficult" or "strong-willed"—possesses traits we value in adults yet find challenging in children. Research shows that spirited kids are wired to be "more"—by temperament, they are more intense, sensitive, perceptive, persistent, and uncomfortable with change than the average child. In this revised edition of the award-winning classic, voted one of the top twenty books for parents, Kurcinka provides vivid examples and a refreshingly positive viewpoint. Raising Your Spirited Child will help you:

• understand your child's­—and your own—temperamental traits
• discover the power of positive—rather than negative—labels
• cope with the tantrums and power struggles when they do occur
• plan for success with a simple four-step program
• develop strategies for handling mealtimes, sibling rivalry, bedtimes, holidays, and school, among other situations

"A spirited child, often called difficult or strong-willed, has certain needs that may make parents feel overwhelmed and frustrated; this book explains how to understand and nurture these special children."