Female Fours

[HouseofWool]

I just requested 3 and 9. Gawd help me but the boy child is driving me crazy. Makes stupid decisions as if he doesn't have a functional brain cell left in his head. And he KNOWS they are dumb.

[samssugarmomma]

Ugh 4. I remember that DD 1 was very emotional and tantrumy around 4. Getting ready to go through that again with DD 2. Yay! 8 )

I truly recommend everyone buy the book series by Louise Bates Ames from the Gesell Institute of Human Development. Nearly everything will describe your child so well that it is scary. They have books for each year through age 9 and then one for 10-14. Here is a link: http://www.amazon.com/Your-One-Year-.../dp/0440506727 You can also find most of this information on the internet but the books are obviously more complete. This is another way to stay "ahead" of your kiddos as they develop. We can be so quick to label a child as difficult or fussy or happy and calm only to then have these characteristics turn on a dime. If you know what's coming you know how to be prepared which truly makes life easier for everyone. It also allows us as parents to not become as frustrated with our children as they go through difficult stages. I truly believe that parenting is more about finesse than it is about force.

Hope it's okay to resurrect this thread but I wanted to thank Tara for this recommendation. I finally got Your Three Year Old from the library and it is almost scary how much like "The Three and a Half Year Old" my DS is right now. I was truly getting worried about him and was running out of tools to deal with some of our issues. But I feel so much better now knowing that....it's normal!!!!!

Anyone else find these books useful? I have put a request in for the One Year Old book now too.

[Auspicious]

I haven't read the books, but I've been thinking about this thread! After 6+ months of equilibrium (which I definitely believe in, though the timing is often off) Cora's switch flipped back to disequilibrium in December, so we're back on the roller coaster for now.

I've also frequently thought of Tara's "more about finesse than force" line, which I think is well-stated.

[ladymoreta]

I just ordered the one and two year old books from Amazon. Thanks for the reminder!


Laurie

[Pollyanna]

I am so glad you like the books. It makes parenting so much easier when you have an idea of what to expect and can make a plan. Even after 5 kiddos I still find myself going back to these books for reassurance.

[ladymoreta]

That's what made my decision to buy them. In just a year and a half, I've forgotten so much about newborns - I'm sure I will need to reread these!


Laurie

[spotty_dog]

The Five-Year-Old was spookily like DS...very interesting read. I didn't really get into the Two-Year-Old before I had to return it, but it will be time to look at the Threes before I know it, so I'll probably just get that one out soon.

[Ravenclaw]

I am so glad you like the books. It makes parenting so much easier when you have an idea of what to expect and can make a plan. Even after 5 kiddos I still find myself going back to these books for reassurance.

I missed this - which books are these?

[Ladybug]

Haha! I have those books but still haven't found the time to read them! I have years 1-7...on my book shelf. *sigh*. Our preK teacher recommended them. She's gone to the author's seminars. I just keep picking her brains on the side. The benefit of having a room right next to her.