Looking for practical answers on how to raise your child? Then grab Brenda Nixon’s latest book, The Birth to Five Book: Confident Childrearing Right From the Start. Author Brenda Nixon gives honest and straightforward answers on what to expect during the first five years of your child’s life. Brenda Nixon truly makes this a hands on parenting book by including a “My Success Strategy” section at the end of each chapter.
One of the biggest problems new parents face is not having a plan when addressing issues (from safety to discipline). A new mom will be exhausted from lack of sleep in the infant stage, frustrated with the “terrible twos” and perplexed by their preschooler. Without a plan, you are sure to react and may find yourself giving in to inappropriate behavior for some peace and quiet. Brenda gives new moms the information needed to formulate a plan that works for your family. When you know what to expect, have thought about solutions and made a decision on how to resolve it BEFORE it happens… that makes a confident parent.
The book is divided up into sections ranging from infant, to toddler, then preschooler and ends with a section on parenting anytime. These sections are broken down into small chapters, which make it a great resource book for quick answers. I would recommend reading through the entire book and writing your success strategies along the way. Then I would place this book on a shelf, for easy access. I believe this is a book that you will consistently refer to from the beginning through kindergarten. In addition, you will find yourself referring back to this book for encouragement and confidence as you children grow up.
I love the way Brenda opens up to the readers, admitting mistakes and feelings she had as a new parent. She mentioned when she was a new mother, people did not talk about some of the emotions most mothers have but few share. When reading through this book you pick up on her passion to encourage moms. She understands the high expectations we place on ourselves to be the perfect parent. She also understands the disappointment we feel when we don’t meet these expectations. She reminds us that all kids misbehave and there are no perfect parents. Thank you, Brenda!
I wish I had this book when I was expecting my first child, when I had more time to read and make informed and educated decisions. Once my daughter was born, I was too exhausted and emotional to react the right way every time. Especially with a baby that went from one extreme to the other. My daughter went from happy to inconsolable very quickly, she had colic which would start in the early afternoon and last until bedtime… for 6 months. Many times I would have to place her in her swing or playpen and let her cry. I would step outside in the backyard for a few minutes (while I could still hear the faint cries in the background) and question my mothering skills. I know if I had this book back then, I would have referred to the Ten Tips For Stress-Less Parenting daily. I would not have been so hard on myself and I would have been a more confident mother. By the way, my daughter is now a tween and can certainly be one of the most passionate and entertaining kids around. So, there is hope.
Below, is an excerpt from one of my favorite chapters in the book. I know once you read this, you will understand Brenda’s parenting philosophy and her love for educating parents.
a successful parent
Want to be a successful parent? We all do. Nobody’s yet called my office asking how to fail at childrearing. Rather, I get calls appealing for advice, answers, or assurance. The term successful is subjective. What it means to your mother, or mother-in-law, might be different to you. This I know: understanding your child’s needs—not just wants—and responding appropriately is one way of succeeding in raising her well. But, how do you get proficient at a job you’ve never done?
Right now, commit to sharpening your parenting skills, and you won’t waste valuable time later. Here are essential skills for the enormous task at hand. Practicing these will help you enjoy a better relationship with your child, and you can rest in knowing you did your personal best to raise a happy, healthy contributor to society. Imagine if your little one could share her definition of success; if she could tell just how she feels, maybe she would talk like this:
I feel secure when adults run the household. Be the parent!
I feel loved when you care enough to set boundaries. Make and keep rules.
I get confused when you are unpredictable. Stay dependable.
I’m being me. Accept my immaturity.
I’m learning about myself. Teach me to understand my many feelings.
I depend on you to teach me correct ways to act. Catch me “being good” and tell me.
I can get embarrassed. Correct me in private.
I learn when I experience the results of my behavior. Discipline with consequences.
I’m full of questions. Tell me answers or I’ll get them elsewhere.
I need to feel included in the family. Assign household chores.
I learn to trust from you. Keep your promises.
I need to accept my mistakes. Admit you aren’t perfect.
I copy your ways of caring for myself. Live a healthy lifestyle.
I learn forgiveness and to own my behavior from you. Apologize sometimes.
I’ll become like you even when you think I wasn’t looking. Be a good model.
-Excerpted with permission from The Birth to Five Book by Brenda Nixon, published by Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, 2009.
Congratulations to Brenda, for receiving the Good Parenting Seal on The Birth to Five Book.
For more information or to purchase the book, please click here.
About the Author
Born in Ohio, Brenda Nixon (www.BrendaNixon.com) lived in Missouri and Idaho before returning to her home state, where she and her husband, Paul, live with miniature dachshund Opie. Brenda is the mother of two daughters, Lynsey and Laura.
Brenda earned a master’s degree in religious education from Nazarene Theological Seminary and worked as a preschool teacher, nanny, psychiatric chaplain, an educational toy consultant, and a certified parent educator for the Kansas City, Missouri, school district. During her years in Kansas City, she was the parenting expert for Fox TV4 Noon News.
Today, Brenda speaks across the country to parents and professionals who serve children. She is the author of Parenting Power in the Early Years, co-author of A Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts, and contributing author to twenty-four books. Her articles appear in numerous regional and national parenting publications, she is quoted in Woman’s Day, WebMD, USA Today, and MOPS International, and she’s a frequent media guest sharing childrearing tips and encouragement.
Follow Brenda Nixon on Twitter: @BrendaNixon
Cammie Moise