#50BookPledge Books 43 & 44 - Bringing Up Bebe & Beautiful Ruins

I'm reviewing books 43 and 44 in the same post because I can and not because there is a common theme.

Book 43 was Bringing Up Bebe by Pamela Druckerman from Penguin Press 2012.

As you may or may not know I like to read parenting books especially those about different styles as we try to mold Miss R into a well rounded individual. In a lot of ways I found that Bringing Up Bebe reflected a lot of the techniques that my parents used raising me and could really relate to them.  While I don't necessarily agree with everything in Druckerman's book there are definitely ideas that I can use in my own home.  The book moves along at a fairly quick pace and does a lot of compare and contrast between what the author sees living in France and what she sees when visiting family in the United States. She also makes it clear that neither style is necessarily right or wrong but there are good attributes in both. What I really see is that France uses more of the Village approach while North Americans tend to be much more insular.  Worth the read and I know it is making an impact in our home.


Book 44 was Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter from Harper Collins 2012.

I loved this book, actually wasn't able to put it down.  All of the characters, the scenery and the flow of the story just made it that much more wonderful. My apologies to the author but I originally thought Beautiful Ruins was written by a woman and was pleasantly surprised to find out it was a man.  The novel spans a large period of time, but is done in such a manner that you don't get lost but are drawn in.  My rating for this book is 5 out of 5.

#50BookPledge Book 35 French Kids Eat Everything

French Kids Eat Everything (and yours can too) by Karen Le Billon from Harper Collins 2012

I'm always looking for ways to get Miss R to eat better, even though most of my friends and the family doctor don't think she's picky.  By reading Karen's book I've discovered that Miss R maybe isn't much different then most of her peers, but that doesn't mean things can't change. 

French Kids Eat Everything presents things in such a way that it is easy to see where the two cultures, North American and French, are different when it comes to approaches to food.  I read the book and started to implement some of the suggestions immediately.  It was a huge surprise to mean just how well using fixed times for snacks works. 

The thing that really got my attention in this book was Chapter 9 when the family returns to Vancouver from France only to find out that the French method of eating may not work in all situations and adaption will be required to fit into your unique circumstances. 

I have marked the last chapter of for my husband to read because it summarizes the rules and hope to try some of the recipes very soon.  I also plan on posting my version of the rules somewhere near my kitchen to remind me what I'm trying to accomplish for the entire family.

Hopefully Karen's book is read by the right people to make changes in our school systems so our children don't continue to rush through their lunches just so they can be hungry a couple hours later.

Thank you Karen for showing me that I can get my child to eat better/more without driving myself crazy.

#50BookPledge Book 33 The Beggar's Opera

The Beggar's Opera by Peggy Blair from Penguin Canada 2012

I was completely drawn into this book, a phenomenal piece of Canadian fiction.  Mrs Blair does a fantastic job of developing the setting both in Havana Cuba and the secondary location of Ottawa.  As you read the description you can visualize all aspects of Old Havana and almost taste the Christmas dinner at Inspector Ramirez home. 

Mrs. Blair doesn't stop with the setting, but develops all of her characters whether major or minor.  I was able to picture Celia Jones and Michael Ellis.  It was easy to keep the characters straight, feel the pain of the characters, understand how Detective Rodriguez turned into the person he became, and even relate to the uniqueness of Maria.

The Beggar's Opera was a book I didn't want to put down but I didn't rush through either as I was afraid of missing a key piece of the story.  Definitely worth your time to read and I am looking forward to more books from this author.

#50BookPledge Book 30 Ain't Misbehavin'

Ain't Misbehavin' by Alyson Schafer from Wiley and Sons Canada 2011

Ain't Misbehavin' is the latest of Alyson Schafer's parenting books.  Unlike the other 2 books, this one is filled with solutions or suggestions to deal with different behaviours parents encounter on a regular basis.  Ain't Misbehavin' groups behaviours by type covering everything from the bedroom to school to sibling rivalry to extra curricular activities.  This books need not be read from start to finish if there is an area you really want to challenges in but I recommend reading all of it.  Alyson offers suggestions for dealing for with the behaviour when it happens and solution to work towards at reducing and often eliminating unwanted reactions.  I really enjoyed the book and am finding Alyson's tips are making life in my home less confrontational even though the gist of it is Mommy Butt Out and that is hard to do after five years.  I am a firm believer in having as many tools as you need to keep your family functioning well and Ain't Misbehavin' has found a permanent home in my family library.  The concepts are consistent throughout the book and even if you encounter a situation not specifically covered, you can use the techniques explained to work on a solution. Thanks again Alyson.

#50BookPledge Book 28 Honey, I Wrecked the Kids

Honey, I Wrecked the Kids: When Yelling, Screaming, Threats, Bribes, Time-Outs, Sticker Charts and Removing Privileges All Don't Work by Alyson Schafer from Wiley Canada  

I'm always looking for new/additional methods for nurturing my daughter and make sure we aren't getting into never ending battles.  This book was an eye-opening read as Alyson seemed to have insight into what is happening in my family/my head. One of the challenges Alyson presents is to go a week without saying no to your child.  This is something I'm tackling and must admit not doing well with, but I plan to stick with it because when I get it right it makes life much easier.  What I like in particular about Alyson's writing is that she is writing from experience since she is a parent and lived the style of parenting she's promoting for her life.  Honey, I Wrecked the Kids: When Yelling, Screaming, Threats, Bribes, Time-Outs, Sticker Charts and removing Privileges All Don't Work is having a positive impact on my family. 

#50BookPledge Book 27 Breaking the Good Mom Myth

Breaking the Good Mom Myth by Alyson Schafer from John Wiley & Sons 2006

I really enjoyed this book, probably because it was written by a mom and she admits she sometimes has to regroup.  I've read a number of parenting books over the last four years and this is by far one of the better ones.  It tackles real life situations, giving you alternatives to what current society expects.  The solutions offered when reviewed carefully are good old common sense and initially leave you wondering "why didn't I think of that?"  My biggest take away was that I don't need to be like every other mom on the block and really shouldn't try to be, but instead be realistic with expectations of both self and child.  Well worth a 4 out of 5 review.

Important Conversations

Do you have a time out spot for your children or a place you go hide to get away from it all?  The answer to both is probably yes, but do you and your husband have a place to talk about things that are important to you or require your undivided attention.  My husband and I do!  We will take up a spot on the stairs between the main and bedroom levels in or current home or on the landing in our previous home. 

For us this special place has always worked and usually one issue is dealt with in a sitting.  This is one area of quality time that there are rules both of us abide by.  They are really simple and ultimately are meant to show respect.

1.  Conversations are intitiated by the first person to sit down.
2.  The other person doesn't speak until the current speaker says something to the effect of your turn.

We feel that these sessions really help keep our relationship strong because there is a designated splace to deal with those prickly issues so we don't go to bed angry.