The Calm and Happy Toddler: Gentle Solutions to Tantrums, Night Waking, Potty Training and More

by Rebecca Chicot

Child development expert Dr. Rebecca Chicot shares with you the secrets to calm and stress-free toddler parenting. Based on her unique parent–toddler approach, she reveals that by understanding how your toddler thinks and what changes he is going through, you can respond with confidence and stop sweating the small stuff. Whether you need help with tantrums, night waking, potty training or fussy eating, inside you’ll find a toddler toolkit to help you cope with every toddler scenario; a fire-fighting guide to hand-hold you through the classic toddler challenges (No! Now! Mine! Yuk!); and a toddler development map to show you how your toddler is changing, what stage they are at, and how to best to enjoy and encourage their mental, social and emotional development . Read this "how to" and "why" of toddler parenting to understand your toddler, get on the same team and thrive together.

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction, Childrens

304 pages, Paperback

First published December 3, 2015

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I skimmed this book and it is a good, basic overview of caring for toddlers. I was disappointed that it isn't much different than the other toddler books I've read. The title made me think it would have more insights.

[Atiqah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I cannot overemphasise how useful, relevant, handy, and, most important adjective of all, practical this book is. It explains the mysteries of toddlerhood without me being falsely reassured. It underscores that you need to go with the flow but know when it’s no longer okay to chill.

This book describes the why and how. Why is my toddler suddenly having a tantrum? How do I help work through her emotions? It changes everything. Parents get upset when they don’t know what’s going on inside their toddlers’ noggins and whatever the parents do to rectify the situation aren’t working out. As a result of the wisdom shared by the author, I feel more like I’m witnessing the wonderful adventure of toddlerhood than just gritting my teeth to get through this arduous stage. Once you get into that understanding mindset, hiccups seem trivial and don’t even appear like hiccups anymore.

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[Catrina Magee · Rating 1 out of 5]

Looking for some different angles on pieces of child raising. Disappointed to find this book is just a lot more of the same. It also claims solutions to tantrums etc but there was a very small section on toddler tantrums that I didn’t find very directive at all. It was why I picked up the book in the first place.

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

I skimmed this one. Like most parenting books, it was unnecessarily wordy. However it did have an excellent section toward the end on how to deal with tantrums.

[Crystal Reaume · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is more about toddler development than providing solutions or suggestions but still a good read.

[Sunshine Biskaps · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is well-written and thoroughly covered Manh important aspects of toddlerhood. Being that I’m generally pretty calm and patient, I didn’t take away much from this book except that my toddler seems to be in a lower than average sleep need child. The author reiterates the importance of now what is said to our children, but how it is said. We must be mindful to meet disregard their feelings or fears (ie monsters) as their anxieties and fears are a real thing to them.

It is a very good read and I’d recommend it to all new parents.

[Mike Banach · Rating 3 out of 5]

In retrospect it was a useful reference book for toddler behavior. Definitely some interesting sections on ways to engage toddlers and potty training. I disagreed with much of the sleep advice and handling tantrums but I think it is all about collecting viewpoints.

[Katie Kulp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Straightforward and easy to implement advice for the toddler years. I appreciated the author’s reassuring message that with the right knowledge and a bit (okay a lot!) of patience, it’s possible for both children and parents to thrive during the toddler stage.

[MRS ERICA RUSE · Rating 4 out of 5]

great common sense advice

Really good book with great advice in so many different areas, really useful for all parents. Would really recommend, great

[Hannah Brayer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, this is a helpful book for learning about common techniques for dealing with young toddlers. There isn't anything truly new or innovative, but it does make a couple of points that differ from other child rearing books.

I took this book at face value and assumed that it covered all of toddlerhood. Unfortunately it really only applies until around 2 years of age. Yes, the potty training stuff may take longer, but overall it is for the new toddler and not the older one.

If you are looking for a secret plan to make your toddler magically behave or learn something without effort, you will be disappointed. If you want to learn the reasoning behind some behaviors, this is a good read.

[Jayne Pixton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actual rating 3.5

This was very educational! I really enjoyed this book.