Hi all

WHen our 3 were little, DH & I often found ourselves turning to books such as the baby whisperer to look for answers to their behaviours when the answer didn't appear to be obvious to us.

Unfortunately they have outgrown the baby whisperer & while we still find ourselves recommending this book to friends with newborn singletons & multiples, we have nothing that we can currently turn to for help ourselves.

Now, with our 3 entering the terrible 2's as multiples we have heard of books such such as 'Toddler Taming' & too many more to mention but I thought I would ask in here if anyone knows of any books that they swore by as being accurate or having the much needed answers that we multiple mums are looking for to explain our toddlers behaviour & how to overcome it.

I too would be interested to know if there is anything out there..??

Highly recommend Every Parent by Matthew Sanders (Triple P guy). It's not multiple specific, but he does talk about how to use reward charts etc with more than one child. It's the only book I have found that has step by step instructions for dealing with specific problems.

The other one I enjoyed was Children are People Too by Louise Porter. It's completely different to Every Parent, but it gave me lots to think about! She doesn't believe in rewards or punishments at all. It's a good read for really examining why you use the methods you do. Her views on ADD/ADHD and ODD are very interesting too.

edited because I am clearly an exhausted multiple mummy who can't string 2 coherent words together...

The Secret of Happy Children, and More Secrets of Happy Children by Steven Biddulph. I really like most of his stuff. He has a book called "Raising Boys" which I've heard a lot of good things about too, but obviously, it's not much use to me! You can usually pick up copies of his books on eBay, if you don't want to buy new (or hire from a library even better!).

Super Nanny Can't go past the Super Nanny! I have one of her books, and got another out from the library a while back. There are a few theories of hers that I am not entirely happy with, but I think in general anyway, it's about reading these books, and taking from them what you feel would work for your family IYKWIM.

Nicolie - what's ODD??
ETA: Just did a google of those books you recommended, I hadn't heard of them. They look like they'd definitely be worthwhile! Thanks for that (tho you might want to correct the title of the second book... should be Children are People Too, rather than the other way round, tho, some could argue otherwise! )

Oh really Jen! Wow! That's a rather interesting and insightful review of Raising Boys. I've never looked at it. Certainly his other books don't seem to rave on so much about that stuff... Interesting! Like I said, you really have to read a few different theories, and mould them into what works for your family.

(PS Just imagine if you had a DH that left home at 8.55am and came home at 5.05pm!! OM*G!!!! My life would be BLISS!! Actually. Perhaps I'd even have time for "a life"?? You think??!!)

PMSL butters - I can't believe I wrote it backwards .

ODD is Oppositional Defiance Disorder. Porter's theory is that if you don't discipline children, then there's nothing for them to be oppositional or defiant about so it wouldn't exist. She doesn't believe in discipline in the traditional sense (ie rewards and punishments). Not that she thinks kids should just do whatever they want - her focus is on teaching children considerate behaviour. All good in theory, but it's difficult to implement when you're in the nitty-gritty of toddler and preschooler tantrums! That said, I have modified some things since reading her book.

Another vote for Super Nanny.... or any Triple P publication! Still, no matter how many books I read on the subject, I'm not making much progress with my two

Jen - i agree with you. DF was home for 10 days and i was happy to have him here but he completely stuffed up my routine!! I didn't get to the gym, didn't get all my housework done cause he was here.. Oh well!!

I am going to be reading to see what you girls recommend cause my boys are turning into monsters.. especially Keenan. He is so naughty and hits his brother constnatly. I really don't know how to discipline him that will be effective.

Rach

Nicolie -I actually looked up 'Every Parent' on Amazon & it was retailing for US107.45 Wow, it had better be a good book but I think I'll checkout a bookshop before I make my purchase

Has anyone heard of this book. It looks like a good one, but I honestly have never heard of it before.

Also, I was wondering if anyone has any twin specific books. Do you think they are worth the read? By twin specific, I mean books that delve into the psychological aspect of being a multiple & how parents best deal with this in dealing with tantrusm, as I have read review on some books where authors suggest that twins & triplets have different psychological needs than that of singletons. Am curious to get your thoughts on this one before I rush out & by moe books.

Haven't ever heard of that one Marcia. I must admit, I'd never even thought about "multiple specific" books!! It makes perfect sense. It'd be worthwhile keeping this thread going I reckon, and perhaps if anyone gets hold of any of these books, they could do us a little review??!!

I got a copy of Every Parent from our Library!

And the other book mentioned... I have the first book written by that author "Ready or Not... Here We Come! The Real Experts' Cannot-Live-Without Guide to the First Year with Twins". TBH I flipped through it once, then never looked at it again... didn't find it very helpful. Just commensense info? And quite 'American' iykwim? I found all the same tips and much more by browsing on EB!
Maybe the Toddler one might be more useful... but I'd be a bit sceptical

Marcia - that can't be right! I think I got it for about $30 at Dymocks.

Hi there, keeping my eye on this thread too. I went to Boarders a couple of weeks ago to find such books. Unfortunately the only ones I could find (two in total) about raising twins from 1 year to school age were about general toddler behaviour. I already had Raising boys and Toddler Taming from DS 1 (though I am sure there are updated versions now ) but I didn't really find anything I hadn't already read about. Though I use my Toddler Taming alot for helping with behaviour (time out etc), it is also great for knowing what they are doing is normal toddler bahaviour!!!!). I need all the help I can get Because I just don't seem to be getting the hang of it this time round

I will let you know if on my search I find one.