Books for Parents Far from Home by Susannah K Once upon a time, people stayed relatively close to home. They remained close to their parents, and were nourished by strongly interlocked social networks. Ways of parenting, of organizing one's day, feeding one's children, setting limits, and passing on stories about life's lessons were absorbed by observation. There were grandmothers or older friends who took care of new mothers and new babies; who knew about stuffed noses in nursing three-month-olds; about allergies, table manners, and games to play on boring rainy-days; about handling fighting siblings or teenage rebellion. Most English-speaking parents here are far away from such role models. Nor is Hamburg the easiest city to find a substitute 'good mother' native to turn to for advice. Therefore, alternative sources of wisdom, comfort and lots of information are books. I owe a great deal of my equilibrium in becoming a mother abroad to the books I've been given or have bought over the past seven years. Here is a list of excellent books on various aspects of child raising. You can order via www.amazon.de quickly and efficiently. Ordering through amazon.de rather than amazon.com will save a small fortune in customs/shipping costs. Additionally, ordering through our club´s webite hyperlink connection will earn the AWCH a rebate! [WebEditor's Note:]Any of these books can be ordered from Amazon.de. Simply click on the image of the book cover (below), and you will be taken directly to the book's page at the Amazon.de site. If you put the book into the "shopping basket" and order it right then, AWC will receive 15% rebate on the price of the book (thank you!). Then click the "Back" button at the top of your browser to get back to this page.
The New Pregnancy and Childbirth by Sheila Kitzinger: Penguin, 1997, 432 pages paperback, ISBN: 0140263535
The Complete Book of Pregnancy and Childbirth by Sheila Kitzinger: Alfred A. Knopf, 1996 revised and expanded, hardback, ISBN: 0679450289
What to Expect When You're Expecting by Arlene Eisenberg, Heidi E. Murkoff: Workman Publishing, Revised 1996, 504 pages paperback, ISBN: 089480829X A huge best-seller in the US, but the tone is a little outdated now. I’ve heard complaints about their dictatorial idea of what makes a healthy pregnancy, nonetheless a great reference book.
Die Hebammensprechstunde (The Midwife's Office Hours) by Ingeborg Stadelmann: Stadelmann, Ermengerst, Revised 2001, 383 pages paperback, ISBN: 3980376001 For those mothers-to-be who also read German.
Das tut mir gut nach der Geburt (I Feel Good After the Birth) by Margarita Klein, Maria Weber: Rowohlt TB-V., Rnb., 1998, 158 pages paperback, ISBN: 3499604213 Wonderful book for readers of German to help you feel strong and female in the weeks and months following birth. With exercises.
Everyday Blessings: The Inner Work of Mindful Parenting by Myla Kabat-Zinn, Jon Kabat-Zinn: Hyperion Books, 1998, 416 pages paperback, ISBN: 0786883146 Best read at moments of quiet, in small chunks. Emotionally intelligent parenting. [WebEditor's Note: this book is available from www.amazon.co.uk but not from our partners at www.amazon.de]
Mit Kindern wachsen. Die Praxis der Achtsamkeit in der Familie (Grow with Children. The Practise of Mindfulness in the Family) by Jon Kabat-Zinn, Myla Kabat-Zinn: Arbor Vlg., Schönau, 1997, 351 pages hardback, ISBN: 3924195404 [WebEditor's Note: this book may be a German translation of the one mentioned directly above, and it is available from www.amazon.de]
The Drama of the Gifted Child: The Search for the True Self by Alice Miller, Ruth Ward (translator): Basic Books, 1996 revised and updated, 136 pages paperback, ISBN: 0465016901 Revised recently, this is a modern classic. Psychoanalytical.
Whole Child/Whole Parent by Polly Berrien Berends: Perennial (HarperCollins), 1997, 400 pages paperback, ISBN: 0060928182 The psychology of child raising. For comfort and inspiration.
Kindersprechstunde. Ein medizinisch-pädagogischer Ratgeber. by Wolfgang Goebel, Michaela Glöckler: Urachhaus, Stuttgart, 1998, 618 pages hardback, ISBN: 3878383959 German-language classic medical and parenting reference book. Waldorf oriented, with traditional home treatments for fever, etc.
Oneness and Separateness: From Infant to Individual by Louise J. Kaplan: Simon & Schuster Books, 1998 (reprint of 1978), 288 pages paperback, ISBN: 0684854066 The best book I know to describe in detail the phases of individual development in babies and young children. Slightly ponderous reading, but truly worth the insights!
Your Baby and Child: From Birth to Age Five by Penelope Leach: Alfred A. Knopf, 1997, 3rd rev., 560 pages hardback, ISBN: 0375400079 No doubt: this is a "must have" book.
What to Expect the First Year by Arlene Eisenberg, Heidi E. Murkoff, Sandee E. Hathaway: Workman Publishing, 1994, 704 pages hardback, ISBN: 1563058766 Continually updated - classic reference book.
What to Expect the Toddler Years by Arlene Eisenberg, Heidi E. Murkoff, Sandee E. Hathaway: Workman Publishing, 1996, 904 pages paperback, ISBN: 0894809946 Continually updated - classic reference book.
Dr. Spock's Baby and Child Care by Benjamin Spock, Stephen J. Parker, Steven Parker: Pocket Books, 1998, 939 pages paperback, ISBN: 0671537628 Another classic reference book. Good for medical questions.
Aus der Praxis einer Kinderärztin (From the Practice of a Pediatrician) by Gisela Brehmer: Rowohlt TB-V., Rnb., 1998, 255 pages paperback, ISBN: 349960468X Popular German-language medical reference. Easy to read list of foods to avoid during first months of nursing.
'It's Not Fair, Jeremy Spencer's Parents Let Him Stay Up All Night!': A Guide to the Tougher Parts of Parenting by Anthony E. Wolf: Noonday Press, 1996, paperback, ISBN: 0374524734 A gem of a book with great insights on how to set limits with children.
Real Boys: Rescuing Our Sons from the Myths of Boyhood by William Pollack: Henry Holt & Company, 1999, 447 pages paperback, ISBN: 0805061835 New York Times bestseller.
Raising Cain: Protecting the Emotional Life of Boys by Daniel J. Kindlon, Michael Thompson, Dan Kindlon: Ballantine Books, 2000, 298 pages paperback, ISBN: 0345434854 New York Times bestseller.
Raising a Son: Parents and the Making of a Healthy Man by Don Elium, Jeanne Elium: Celestial Arts, 1996, 307 pages paperback, ISBN: 0890878110
My Mother/My Self: The Daughter's Search for Identity by Nancy Friday: Delta Trade Paperbacks, 1997 20th anniversary printing, 400 pages paperback, ISBN: 0385320159 Classic exploration of the mother-daughter relationship.
Raising a Daughter by Jeanne Elium, Don Elium: Celestial Arts, 1994, 384 pages paperback, ISBN: 0890877084 Classic exploration of the mother-daughter relationship.
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