Raising a child is one of the most exciting and pleasurable challenges life can bring. However, the reality of family life can at times fall short of our ideal. Parenting has changed in the last 20 years.
The pace of life is faster, the number of choices is greater, and at the same time the extended family support group of grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins is the exception rather than the rule. Everyone offers “helpful” advice, often conflicting.
No wonder new parents feel bewildered. We will try to provide detailed information in an easy-to-find format, equipping parents with the knowledge they need to give their children the very best.
The practical advice, background explanations, and medical facts are those we give parents.The simple question and-answer style means that you can easily find the solution to your concerns.
The many hundreds of questions range from practical issues-“Which is the best type of diaper?” or “When should I start to give my baby solid food?”-to emotive issues such as “Is my child developing normally?” or “How can I make time for myself?”
We divided our theme in the following sub-themes:
- · Your Baby,
- · Feeding and Nutrition,
- · Encouraging Sleep,
- · Everyday Care,
- · Crying and Comforting,
- · Growth and Development,
- · Discipline and Behavior,
- · Family Life, and, finally,
- · Child Health.
The first sub-theme, Your Baby, covers everything you need to know to care for your new born baby, from buying necessary baby equipment to feeding and dressing her, up to her first development check. Subsequent parts are subdivided by age: Young Babies, 6 weeks–6 months; Older Babies, 6 months-1 year; Toddlers, 1-21⁄2 years; Preschool Children, 21⁄2 years onward.
Each part features everything relevant to that age group, making essential information really accessible. The Child Health sub-theme contains up-to-date advice on keeping your child healthy, as well as guidance on what to do and when to call the doctor when your child is sick. And, while I hope you never have to deal with emergencies, there is a first-aid.
Parenting is not always straightforward
We will provide a Parent’s Survival Guides. These are short, self-contained features that deal with particular problem areas, such as broken nights or toddler tantrums-potential flashpoints for many families. We hope the Parent’s Survival Guides will help you defuse difficult situations and encourage you to cope with some of parenting’s greatest challenges. In addition, deals with topics that are not always covered in general childcare books, such as fathers who stay at home, single parenting, bereavement, and that all-important juggling act, combining work with child-rearing.
The joys and challenges of being a parent
Our texts are not just there to help in a crisis, but to help you fulfill your potential as a parent. Your child may be dependent on you, but she is an individual with her own particular characteristics; your aim as her parent is to help your child make the most of her. The precious moments that you have with your child won’t come back, so enjoy them for both your sakes.
It’s often said that parenting is a job for which there is neither formal training nor any recognized qualifications. Learning is done on the job and there is no pay, other than the reward of a job well done (and that often only comes when your child has grown up). As a parent you do, however, have one vital attribute-your instinct. We start to write and compile these texts to give you the confidence to trust your instinct so that you can enjoy helping your child fulfill her potential.
