Intrigued by a book in the Harried Parent's Book Club, or want to learn more about a subject that's covered? Read more about it through excerpts from the books below. Choose from this index listed alphabetically by book, or go to an alternate index listed by excerpt title.
21. Book: Married With Special-Needs Children
Cover image courtesy of Woodbine House
Authors: Laura E. Marshak and Fran Pollock Prezant
Excerpt Title: "How to Make Talking Less Distressing"
Quote: "No matter how long you have been married, you sometimes need to teach your partner what you need rather than get upset when he or she doesn't intuitively anticipate your needs. If you need your spouse to simply be close and listen without offering 'solutions,' clearly explain this. If you have already done so, do it again and again if necessary. When it comes to marriage, there is little 'one trial learning.'" ... Go to full excerpt
Excerpt Title: "How to Make Talking Less Distressing"
Quote: "No matter how long you have been married, you sometimes need to teach your partner what you need rather than get upset when he or she doesn't intuitively anticipate your needs. If you need your spouse to simply be close and listen without offering 'solutions,' clearly explain this. If you have already done so, do it again and again if necessary. When it comes to marriage, there is little 'one trial learning.'" ... Go to full excerpt
22. Book: More Than a Mom
Cover image courtesy of Amy Baskin and Heather Fawcett
Authors: Amy Baskin and Heather Fawcett
Excerpt Title: "Request a Work Schedule Change With a Flexibility Proposal Memo"
Quote: "Karen would like to work flextime, so that she can be home with her daughters after school. That would allow her to schedule more therapy appointments for Helen, as well as help the girls with their homework. It would also save the family significant babysitting costs. She will request a 6:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. workday." ... Go to full excerpt
Excerpt Title: "Request a Work Schedule Change With a Flexibility Proposal Memo"
Quote: "Karen would like to work flextime, so that she can be home with her daughters after school. That would allow her to schedule more therapy appointments for Helen, as well as help the girls with their homework. It would also save the family significant babysitting costs. She will request a 6:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. workday." ... Go to full excerpt
23. Book: More Than a Mom
Cover image courtesy of Amy Baskin and Heather Fawcett
Author: Amy Baskin and Heather Fawcett
Excerpt Title: "Writing a Letter of Intent"
Quote: "If you were to suddenly die or become incapacitated, that alone would be traumatic for your child. The last thing he would need would be for his own medical needs, routines, and daily life to be thrown into upheaval as well. You can guard against that by writing a Letter of Intent, providing your child's guardians with practical informaton to guide them in making decisions and interacting with your child." ... Go to full excerpt
Excerpt Title: "Writing a Letter of Intent"
Quote: "If you were to suddenly die or become incapacitated, that alone would be traumatic for your child. The last thing he would need would be for his own medical needs, routines, and daily life to be thrown into upheaval as well. You can guard against that by writing a Letter of Intent, providing your child's guardians with practical informaton to guide them in making decisions and interacting with your child." ... Go to full excerpt
24. Book: My Kind of Sad
Cover image courtesy of Firefly Books
Author: Kate Scowen
Excerpt Title: "Self-Mutilation: Releasing the Pain"
Quote: "When a person's pain or depression is very intense, they may become disconnected from their real self (known as a dissociative state) in order to protect themselves from their feelings. They feel so numb and lost that it's as if they are floating above the rest of the world or becoming part of the furniture or drifting away entirely. The physical pain of self-mutilation can snap them back into the real world." ... Go to full excerpt
Excerpt Title: "Self-Mutilation: Releasing the Pain"
Quote: "When a person's pain or depression is very intense, they may become disconnected from their real self (known as a dissociative state) in order to protect themselves from their feelings. They feel so numb and lost that it's as if they are floating above the rest of the world or becoming part of the furniture or drifting away entirely. The physical pain of self-mutilation can snap them back into the real world." ... Go to full excerpt
25. Book: A Parent's Guide to Special Education
Cover image courtesy of AMACOM
Authors: Linda Wilmshurst and Alan W. Brue
Excerpt Title: "Accommodations for Specific Disabilities"
Quote: "The accommodations required for a child vary based on the child's needs as well as strengths and weaknesses. In general, there is a common set of accommodations for children who have a particular disability. We will address some disabilities and include accommodations that may be helpful. ... Go to full excerpt
Excerpt Title: "Accommodations for Specific Disabilities"
Quote: "The accommodations required for a child vary based on the child's needs as well as strengths and weaknesses. In general, there is a common set of accommodations for children who have a particular disability. We will address some disabilities and include accommodations that may be helpful. ... Go to full excerpt
26. Book: Raising a Sensory Smart Child
Cover image courtesy of Lindsey Biel and Nancy Peske
Authors: Lindsey Biel and Nancy Peske
Excerpt Title: "Working With an Occupational Therapist"
Quote: "Respect your therapist's time and personal needs. Do not call her every other day with minor questinos that can wait until the next session. Do not call her at home late at night, very early in the morning, or on weekends unless absolutely necessary. Reschedule your session if your child is ill or has a contagious condition such as conjunctivitis, even if you think your child might enjoy the session. No therapist wants to get sick or pass your child's germs to other children." ... Go to full excerpt
Excerpt Title: "Working With an Occupational Therapist"
Quote: "Respect your therapist's time and personal needs. Do not call her every other day with minor questinos that can wait until the next session. Do not call her at home late at night, very early in the morning, or on weekends unless absolutely necessary. Reschedule your session if your child is ill or has a contagious condition such as conjunctivitis, even if you think your child might enjoy the session. No therapist wants to get sick or pass your child's germs to other children." ... Go to full excerpt
27. Book: Ready to Learn
Cover image courtesy of FSB Associates
Author: Stan Goldberg
Excerpt Title: "Finding Happiness in Your Child"
Quote: "What would be required in order for you to feel happiness about what he or she achieves academically, socially, or professionally? Once you associate happiness with goals, both you and your child are primed for a fall. The goals, many of which are unobtainable, become traps; if they can't be reached, neither can your happiness. And by focusing on the goal, the path is often ignored." ... Go to full excerpt
Excerpt Title: "Finding Happiness in Your Child"
Quote: "What would be required in order for you to feel happiness about what he or she achieves academically, socially, or professionally? Once you associate happiness with goals, both you and your child are primed for a fall. The goals, many of which are unobtainable, become traps; if they can't be reached, neither can your happiness. And by focusing on the goal, the path is often ignored." ... Go to full excerpt
28. Book: Sensory Integration and the Child
Cover image courtesy of Western Psychological Services
Author: A. Jean Ayres
Excerpt Title: "Help Your Child to Feel All Right About Himself"
Quote: "The first step is to realize that the child's problem is a physical one. It involves the action of electrical impulses and chemicals in his brain. A learning disorder or behavior problem resulting from sensory integrative dysfunction is just as much a physical problem as a broken leg or the measles." ... Go to full excerpt
Excerpt Title: "Help Your Child to Feel All Right About Himself"
Quote: "The first step is to realize that the child's problem is a physical one. It involves the action of electrical impulses and chemicals in his brain. A learning disorder or behavior problem resulting from sensory integrative dysfunction is just as much a physical problem as a broken leg or the measles." ... Go to full excerpt
29. Book: The Sensory Processing Disorder Answer Book
Cover image courtesy of Sourcebooks
Author: Tara Delaney, MS, OTR/L
Excerpt Title: "Planning a Disney Trip With Sensory Processing Precautions"
Quote: "One of the biggest difficulties sensory-sensitive children have in a place like Disneyland is handling the noise and visual information coming at them all at once. Bring sunglasses and earplugs that your child can take in and out (bring an extra pair in case they get lost)." ... Go to full excerpt
Excerpt Title: "Planning a Disney Trip With Sensory Processing Precautions"
Quote: "One of the biggest difficulties sensory-sensitive children have in a place like Disneyland is handling the noise and visual information coming at them all at once. Bring sunglasses and earplugs that your child can take in and out (bring an extra pair in case they get lost)." ... Go to full excerpt
30. Book: The Sensory Team Handbook for Pre-Teens
Cover image courtesy of Nancy Mucklow
Author: Nancy Mucklow
Excerpt Title: "Brain Train Crashes"
Quote: "Brain train crashes occur when the timing of messages is off, or where the nerve networks are rough or weak. The brain has about a millisecond to respond to most situations. There's no time to think. If nerve networks aren't strong and solid, or the information isn't on time, then messages can get derailed or mixed up." ... Go to full excerpt
Excerpt Title: "Brain Train Crashes"
Quote: "Brain train crashes occur when the timing of messages is off, or where the nerve networks are rough or weak. The brain has about a millisecond to respond to most situations. There's no time to think. If nerve networks aren't strong and solid, or the information isn't on time, then messages can get derailed or mixed up." ... Go to full excerpt
