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 book excerpts. Choose from this index listed alphabetically by the title of the excerpt, or go to an alternate index listed by book title.
11. Excerpt Title: "Finding Happiness in Your Child"
Cover image courtesy of FSB Associates
From the Book: Ready to Learn
Author: Stan Goldberg, Ph.D.
Quote: "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." ... Go to full excerpt
Author: Stan Goldberg, Ph.D.
Quote: "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." ... Go to full excerpt
12. Excerpt Title: "Floortime vs. Applied Verbal Behavior"
Cover image courtesy of Jayne Lytel
From the Book: Act Early Against Autism
Author: Jayne Lytel
Quote: "As I became secure in understanding both approaches, I could more clearly see their benefits. But I relied more on AVB since it was hard to have a back-and-forth interaction with Leo; he didn't stick with one activity for very long, and his ability to reason and express himself verbally was poor. Nonetheless, I tried to incorporate elements from Floortime when I played with him." ... Go to full excerpt
Author: Jayne Lytel
Quote: "As I became secure in understanding both approaches, I could more clearly see their benefits. But I relied more on AVB since it was hard to have a back-and-forth interaction with Leo; he didn't stick with one activity for very long, and his ability to reason and express himself verbally was poor. Nonetheless, I tried to incorporate elements from Floortime when I played with him." ... Go to full excerpt
13. Excerpt Title: "Get a Healthy Weight for Your Child"
Cover image courtesy of Firefly Books
From the Book: Get a Healthy Weight for Your Child
Authors: Dr. Brian W. McCrindle and James G. Wengle
Quote: "Criticizing your child about their poor eating choices or their lack of activity will often backfire and could lead them to resent healthier eating and physical activity. Instead, praise and applaud them when they make healthier food choices and when they get involved in any physical activity. Always offer healthy options to less healthy food choices and periods of inactivity, but never criticize." ... Go to full excerpt
Authors: Dr. Brian W. McCrindle and James G. Wengle
Quote: "Criticizing your child about their poor eating choices or their lack of activity will often backfire and could lead them to resent healthier eating and physical activity. Instead, praise and applaud them when they make healthier food choices and when they get involved in any physical activity. Always offer healthy options to less healthy food choices and periods of inactivity, but never criticize." ... Go to full excerpt
14. Excerpt Title: "Getting Food Allergy Information From Manufacturers"
Cover image courtesy of Plumtree Press
From the Book: How to Manage Your Child's Life-Threatening Food Allergies
Author: Linda Marienhoff Coss
Quote: "If you have any doubts or questions whatsoever as to whether or not a particular product is safe for your child, contact the manufacturer to discuss the product's ingredients and the possibility of cross-contamination with other products. Do this before you feed the item to your child." ... Go to full excerpt
Author: Linda Marienhoff Coss
Quote: "If you have any doubts or questions whatsoever as to whether or not a particular product is safe for your child, contact the manufacturer to discuss the product's ingredients and the possibility of cross-contamination with other products. Do this before you feed the item to your child." ... Go to full excerpt
15. Excerpt Title: "Guided Relaxation for Children With Special Needs"
Cover image courtesy of Patti Teel
From the Book: The Floppy Sleep Game Book
Author: Patti Teel
Quote: "It's very important to practice relaxation in a fun, imaginative way. The last thing you want your child to think is that relaxation is "just one more thing to do." After all, relaxation is not so much doing as it is an undoing, or a letting go." ... Go to full excerpt
Author: Patti Teel
Quote: "It's very important to practice relaxation in a fun, imaginative way. The last thing you want your child to think is that relaxation is "just one more thing to do." After all, relaxation is not so much doing as it is an undoing, or a letting go." ... Go to full excerpt
16. Excerpt Title: "Help Your Child to Feel All Right About Himself"
Cover image courtesy of Western Psychological Services
From the Book: Sensory Integration and the Child
Author: A. Jean Ayres
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
Author: A. Jean Ayres
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
17. Excerpt Title: "How to Find a Therapist for Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy"
Cover image courtesy of The Guilford Press
From the Book: Talking Back to OCD
Author: John S. March, MD, with Christine M. Benton
Quote: "It's very important to ask yourself how you feel about a potential therapist. Do you feel comfortable? Does he or she have the experience and knowledge you need? Without mistaking the 'perfect' for the 'good enough,' keep looking until you're reasonably sure that you've found the doctor you need, and then get started." ... Go to full excerpt
Author: John S. March, MD, with Christine M. Benton
Quote: "It's very important to ask yourself how you feel about a potential therapist. Do you feel comfortable? Does he or she have the experience and knowledge you need? Without mistaking the 'perfect' for the 'good enough,' keep looking until you're reasonably sure that you've found the doctor you need, and then get started." ... Go to full excerpt
18. Excerpt Title: "How to Make Talking Less Distressing"
Cover image courtesy of Woodbine House
From the Book: Married With Special-Needs Children
Authors: Laura E. Marshak and Fran Pollock Prezant
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
Authors: Laura E. Marshak and Fran Pollock Prezant
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
19. Excerpt Title: "How to Motivate Your Teen to Attend and Engage in Therapy"
Cover image courtesy of The Guilford Press
From the Book: The Bipolar Teen
Author: David J. Miklowitz, PhD, and Elizabeth L. George, PhD
Quote: "Your teen might have a number of reasons for resisting therapy ('I'm not the problem,' fear of being teased by friends, fear of the unknown, 'I can do it on my own,' etc.). There are several avenues for motivating your teen. First, although teens may resist going to therapy for themselves, they may be open to the idea that the whole family needs therapy." ... Go to full excerpt
Author: David J. Miklowitz, PhD, and Elizabeth L. George, PhD
Quote: "Your teen might have a number of reasons for resisting therapy ('I'm not the problem,' fear of being teased by friends, fear of the unknown, 'I can do it on my own,' etc.). There are several avenues for motivating your teen. First, although teens may resist going to therapy for themselves, they may be open to the idea that the whole family needs therapy." ... Go to full excerpt
20. Excerpt Title: "Keep It Calm"
Cover image courtesy of Jessica Kingsley Publishers
From the Book: Kids in the Syndrome Mix
Author: Martin L. Kutscher, M.D.
Quote: "Head off big fights before they begin. When things start going badly, redirect to a positive direction rather than criticizing the misbehavior. For example, if the child is arguing with a peer, then suggest a new activity such as having a snack, rather than handing out a punishment." ... Go to full excerpt
Author: Martin L. Kutscher, M.D.
Quote: "Head off big fights before they begin. When things start going badly, redirect to a positive direction rather than criticizing the misbehavior. For example, if the child is arguing with a peer, then suggest a new activity such as having a snack, rather than handing out a punishment." ... Go to full excerpt
