Every new parent has been there-sleepdeprived, exhausted, and pacing the floor at 3:00 a.m. with an irritable baby who is having difficulty calming down and going back to sleep. In "Secrets of a Baby Nurse," a medical professional relies on scientific research, personal study, and a lifelong adoration of babies to provide parents with valuable tips that will lead them to discover the delight of a well-rested, tranquil, and happy child-and most importantly, a good night's sleep for everyone.

Marsha Podd, a seasoned maternal-infant nurse and lactation specialist, shares her professional expertise in reading the body language of thousands of babies in order to teach parents how to interpret a baby's cues, create a perfect sleep environment, and initiate a peaceful detachment. You'll learn how to

ensure a healthy womb environment; encourage a newborn toward daytime wakefulness; build consistent daily rhythms around sleep and food; observe and react to your baby's signals; avoid postpartum depression; stay in a routine and still have a life outside the home.

"Secrets of a Baby Nurse" offers step-by-step, practical advice that will help any parent create a serene, joy-filled relationship with their child.

Compares the parenting advice of five well-known experts. Most parents lack the time, training, and other resources needed to consult the extensive research on parenting that has been produced by scientific study. Instead, many rely on advice from a few well-known authorities in popular books, newspaper columns, and other media. This work takes a critical look at the advice of five experts - Benjamin Spock, T. Berry Brazelton, James Dobson, Penelope Leach and John Rosemond - then compares that with the findings of hundreds of empirical studies on children. The focus is on major parenting problems, including persistent infant crying, toilet training, early day care, discipline, adolescent sexuality education, substance abuse, and the influence of television and other electronic media. A final chapter summarizes the accuracy of each expert's advice compared with research findings, points out the common ground between experts, and summarizes their major strategies and biases. In some cases, a substantial gap exists between expert advice and scientific research findings. and students will find this book not only helpful, but also illuminating. Rankin's meticulous analysis points out areas of agreement and dispute between some of the most quoted parenting experts in the field, and, perhaps even more revealing, areas where their widely quoted pronouncements deviate from research and clinical evidence. Makes sense of often conflicting parenting experts and how their advice can clash with scientific research Offers parents an understanding of 'best practices' as identified by research. Explains the multitude of elements (other than research and practice) that shape the advice of experts Focuses on a critical analysis of the advice of five often conflicting, but very well known, authors on parenting.

One of America's most celebrated educators teaches parents how to create extraordinary children-in the classroom and beyond
In his bestselling book, "Teach Like Your Hair's on Fire," readers were introduced to Rafe Esquith and his extraordinary students in Hobart Elementary School's Room 56. Using his amazing and inspiring classroom techniques, Esquith has helped thousands of children learn to maximize their potential. In "Lighting Their Fires," Esquith shows that children aren't born extraordinary; they become that way as a result of parents and teachers who instill values that serve them not just in school, but for the rest of their lives. Framed by a class trip to a major league baseball game, "Lighting Their Fires" moves inning by inning through concepts that help children build character and develop enriching lives. Whether he is highlighting the importance of time management or offering a step-by-step discussion of how children can become good decision makers, Esquith shows how parents can equip their kids with all the tools they need to find success and have fun in the process. Using examples from classic films and great books, he stresses the value of sacrifice, the importance of staying true to oneself, and the danger that television can pose to growing young minds. "Lighting Their Fires" is that rarest of education books: one that explains not just how to make our children great students, but how to make them thoughtful and honorable people.

The Internet has transformed the way people research, shop, conduct business, and communicate. But the Internet and technologies that enable online interaction and access to a variety of content can be a perilous place for minors 8 to 18. The dangers are real, and parents and teachers today are confronted with many threats they simply do not understand. This book shares the risks of the Internet by detailing recent, real-world tragedies and revealing some of the secrets of online activities. It provides a pragmatic approach to help parents and teachers protect children against the threats of going online. Parents and teachers are often ill-equipped to deal with the variety of devices and applications such as email, instant messaging, browsing, blogs, cell phones, and personal digital assistant devices (PDAs) that can facilitate the dangers lurking online. How to Protect Your Children on the Internet offers a comprehensive overview of the ways in which youth use such technologies and exposes the risks they represent. At the same time, it provides a roadmap that will enable parents and teachers to become more engaged in children's online activities, arming them with techniques and tips to help protect their children. Smith underscores his arguments through chilling, real-life stories, revealing approaches people are using to deceive and to conceal their activities online. Filled with practical advice and recommendations, his book is indispensable to anyone who uses the Internet and related technologies, and especially to those charged with keeping children safe.

While there are some books and articles about the importance of understanding in-school learning style and the benefits in achievement and attitude toward learning that accrue from matching learning style to learning environment, this is the first book on homework style. Homework style is the personal preference for doing the tasks assigned by teachers and learning new material outside of the formal school setting.

Learning style and homework style have been found to be related yet empirically distinguishable, indicating the unique situation the home variable plays in forming individual learning styles. This guide will help parents, teachers, and counselors understand homework style and gain an awareness of the relationship between homework style, homework achievement, and school achievement.

Susan Powter answers "What's for breakfast? What's for dinner? What's for lunch? What can I snack on?" with 100 of the best tasting, high-volume, low-fat recipes ever! Something sweet. Something chewy. Something for those nights when you didn't get to the grocery store or it's dinnertime and you don't have a clue what to cook. These recipes have all been tested by moms and kids for the whole family. They're all low-fat, quick, easy, and taste soooooooo good. Everything you need is right here - healthy, hearty, great recipes so you'll always have an answer when the kids say, "Hey, Mom! I'm hungry!"

Presents research-backed methods for parenting children born between 1982 and 2000. They have strong values - faith, family, tolerance, intelligence and altruism among them. But, contrary to what one might guess, these people are not our sage elders. This is the Millennial Generation. Born between 1982 and 2000, the oldest among them today are entering their 20s or in their teen years. They aim to rebel against society by cleaning it up, returning to old-fashioned values and relationships. Author Verhaagen describes why, nonetheless, parents are feeling more anxious and frazzled than ever before, even as they raise what some are predicting to be the next hero generation. Verhaagen explains how research shows adults can help keep these young people on a positive path, stoke their ideals, and help them be resilient when the inevitable mistakes and obstacles arise. The Baby Boomers and older Gen Xers are parenting this new crew, aiming to ground them and instil great hope for the future. But Millennials face challenges greater than any generation faced before them. Many spend all or part of their childhood without a father in the home. increasingly young ages. They are subject to violent images that are more common than ever before in movies, television, and games. So parents still need to provide guidance. Verhaagen aims to help parents with research and advice, including how to teach determination, problem-solving, emotional strength and resilience. His text includes vignettes and the personal experience of a psychotherapist and father. Little has been written previously giving advice for parents raising this generation. This book offers up-to-date research on parenting, in practical and accessible terms.

From two-time National Book Award nominee Melissa Fay Greene comes a profound and surprising account of dogs on the front lines of rescuing both children and adults from the trenches of grief, emotional, physical, and cognitive disability, and post-traumatic stress disorder. The Underdogs tells the story of Karen Shirk, felled at age twenty-four by a neuromuscular disease and facing life as a ventilator-dependent, immobile patient, who was turned down by every service dog agency in the country because she was "too disabled." Her nurse encouraged her to tone down the suicidal thoughts, find a puppy, and raise her own service dog. Karen did this, and Ben, a German shepherd, dragged her back into life. "How many people are stranded like I was," she wondered, "who would lead productive lives if only they had a dog?" A thousand state-of-the-art dogs later, Karen Shirk's service dog academy, 4 Paws for Ability, is restoring broken children and their families to life. Long shunned by scientists as a manmade, synthetic species, and oft- referred to as "Man's Best Friend" almost patronizingly, dogs are finally paid respectful attention by a new generation of neuroscientists and animal behaviorists. Melissa Fay Greene weaves the latest scientific discoveries about our co-evolution with dogs with Karen's story and a few exquisitely rendered stories of suffering children and their heartbroken families. Written with characteristic insight, humanity, humor, and irrepressible joy, what could have been merely touching is a penetrating, compassionate exploration of larger questions: about our attachment to dogs, what constitutes a productive life, and what can be accomplished with unconditional love.

Society's confusing and often contradictory messages to girls and women make raising a daughter an especially daunting responsibility for any parent. Girls are born believing that they can do anything, but growing up they face new obstacles, as their bodies and social roles begin to change. In Raising A Daughter, Jeanne and Don Elium address these challenges and guide parents through each stage of a girl's development, from infancy through middle childhood, the teen years, and early adulthood.

"One baby is a miracle. To be given two at once is a gift beyond words."

Two at a Time

If having a child is one of the most joyful -- yet at times maddening -- experiences in life, what's in store for you if you're pregnant with twins? Plenty! Let celebrated actress Jane Seymour and author Pam Novotny -- both mothers of twins -- use their firsthand knowledge to guide you along the road of twin pregnancy and newborn care. In this warm, insightful resource, full of sound advice and personal anecdotes, they'll tell you exactly what you can expect:

• First trimester: why morning sickness is more prevalent in mothers of twins, and what you can do about it; tests you'll need to take; symptoms you may experience

• Second trimester: detecting physical changes in your body; mood swings

• Third trimester: the importance of paying attention to your contractions and keeping track of your blood pressure; why you may need full bed rest

• Birth: will you have a cesarean or vaginal birth? What you need to do when labor begins

• After the birth: the challenges of two as opposed to one; juggling your nursing and bonding schedules

• Life at home: how to prepare for the arrival of two newcomers.

Each chapter includes a handy checklist to keep you organized throughout your pregnancy, advice on keeping your spirits up, suggestions for dressing smart, and a note to dads from James Keach -- Jane's husband -- on how to be supportive and helpful.

A straightforward yet comforting guide to all the overwhelming emotions and physical changes during those amazing months, Two at a Time is a double helping of invaluable advice that will make you fully appreciate the fortune of being twice blessed.