When You're About to Go Off the Deep End, Don't Take Your Kids With You

I was in a bad place when my husband found this book and ordered it for me. I took it along with me on our "vacation" with my 3 year old. As it turns out, it helped. I was able to turn my frown upside down, and I think Kelly Nault's method of positive reinforcement is definitely worth a shot. Nothing works on all of the kids all of the time, but this book has some worthwhile advice.

Kelly Nault's book contains the message that all mothers need to hear, in order to overcome our own upbringing. We were taught that a "good mother" is totally self-sacrificing. That's wrong! Think of what the flight attendant tells you when you board an airplane. "Put your own oxygen mask on first." If you don't, you will be totally unable to help your children. Kelly also uses her expertise in psychology to provide you with literally dozens of tips on how to be the Ultimate Mom you want to be and bring out the best in your kids. My personal favorites: How to deal with sibling rivalry How to have fun and constructive family meetings. How to create quality time with your kids. How to take your own "Time Out" when you're stressed. You don't need to be perfect, but Kelly shows you how to be the best Mom you can be. Mickey Michaels, B.A., M.A., M.B.A., best-selling author of "SURVIVAL GUIDE FOR PARENTS: How to Avoid Screwing Up Your Kids or Losing Your Own Sanity" and 'SUCCESSFUL DIVORCE & SINGLE PARENTING"

 Kelly has written the ultimate book for mothers. As a grandmother who has been using and teaching Adlerian principles of child rearing for over 35 years, I thought I had read and knew everything there is to know on the subject and was not interested in yet another book. But Kelly`s approach is magical. I could not put the book down (even though I was at Disneyland with my grandchildren while reading it). Each chapter introduces an important principle with an innovative twist. Her book is a wonderful reworking and updating of old material, plus new material on self-care. It is upbeat, it is urbane, and it is a must read for parents of today's children. - Clair Hawes,  PhD, Registered Psychologist

This book goes beyond what most parenting books cover: how to consciously design your life, how to effectively deal with money, and how you can best nurture yourself in order to give even more to your kids. In addition, the book gives you concrete, effective parenting skills. Using the tools in Kelly Nault's book can help you crate a more purposeful life, eliminate the hassles that are dragging you down, and gain the skills you need to successfuly deal with conflict. Ever so often someone comes along with a solution than can take our society to higher plateaus -- Kelly is one of these exceptional people.

I have really enjoyed this book as we await our fifth child. Our days are sometimes long and arduous, but we all love each other. There are times when we forget to respect each other and ourselves. This book stresses the importance of balance and caring for oneself so that we can care for others, too, and it gives great ideas on how to do that! I find the book therapeutic and comforting! Mia Cronan http://MainStreetMom.com