This book uses 256 pages where 2 would suffice. The logic behind the advice just felt right to me.
I like the approach the author uses, by which I mean it is important to remember that children are a product of their environment, and we as parents can play into and encourage bad behavior if we aren't careful. What IS NOT particularly helpful is the practical steps given (as mentioned in other reviews).
Buy this and The First Three Years before you have children. If you already have kids, then buy them now.
When I met my husband and his son, this book was handed to me that night and I was asked to read it - What a wonderful book. Not only did it echo many things my parents did, but reinforced why they were useful and worked throughout the child's life.
I bought this book to help me deal with my two year old who was acting up, but the premise of this book is that if you are having problems with you're two year old, you probably screwed them up in the first year and it's too late to really do anything about it. Basically, you're screwed and it's because you spoiled them.
I bought and used THE FIRST THREE YEARS OF LIFE By Burton L. White during the late 70's!
This is an outstanding book that should be read by both expectant parents. It discusses not to raise a child that is how an A student, great athlete, or future world leader, but rather how to raise a student who does well in school, life, and society.
I found this book very hard to get through...lots of antecdotes and black text but hard to sometimes glean the "how to" info from all the verbiage.
I have three children -- my youngest will be 2 next month, and my oldest is 9. I bought this book when my oldest was a baby, and have found it to be a wonderful resource in raising my children.
Many other reviewers complain that Burton White doesn't give enough practical "to dos' in his books. The style of giving information and allowing parents to figure how to best apply it to their situation is empowering and recognizes there is not a "one size fits all" approach.
I picked this book in my local libraby while browsing the shelves, so I had no expectations whatsoever and had not read any reviews. The author describes in great detail the normal behaviour of a baby from newborn to 3 years of age, and specifically what is undesirable.
I have used this and Burton White's other book (The First Three Years) since my daughter was six months old. Now she's 16 mos, and i feel ready to evaluate the books.
I have the nicest toddler I know, get compliments all the time on how reasonable and well behaved, confident and happy he seems to be, and I think that the advice in this book has been very important in achieving this so far. This book only deals with children up until 3 years old, since that is the age range the author's research covered.
I think any parent will benefit from the advice in this book. Dr.
I truly feel this book was more valuable than anything I've read to date on how to raise my now 14-month old daughter. All parents should read this and very early on in their baby's life, if not during pregnancy.
