This book has that hard-to-find balance of great explanation of theory and practical application of that theory.

I've barely been able to set it down and has already helped me understand why my sweet even-keeled 2 year-old has become irrational (I know she's 2...) and emotional. But for me, understanding why 2 year-olds are so labile and illogical helps me respond better. Responding differently has helped our day go much more smoothly.

I've been reading quite a few books on toddlers lately, and this is one of the best I've come across. It helped me a lot in terms of realizing what's going on with my 2-and-1/2-year-old, and I'm dealing with him a lot better since reading it. A lot better. Basically, Lieberman is talking about the one essential thing that goes into good parenting: balance. But she does a very good job of filling in the details, and helping you to really ACHIEVE that balance in your parenting.

I'm not giving it five stars, though, because there are two sections that I would really recommend skipping entirely. One has already been mentioned by another poster, and that's the bit on behavioral disorders. I don't accept mariem's criticism, though, because this really was a discrete section of the book, and easy enough to simply skip. As far as I can tell, I didn't miss anything by doing so.

The other section I skipped was the section on sleeping. A lot of this book seems to be in line with "attachment parenting" or whatever you want to call it, but on the subject of sleeping Lieberman is hard-line the other way. The section on sleeping is written entirely with the underlying premise that you will not, under almost any circumstances, be co-sleeping. Which, in my opinion, is just absurd. I think that, like most other aspects of parenting, that is a decision to be made. And in a book that otherwise does such a good job striking balance, her completely one-sided approach to this issue was out of place and, if I say so myself, pretty misguided.

But fortunately, that section is also easy to skip. And other than those two sections, it really is a great book. If you are planning on skipping those two sections, you can interpret this as a five-star review--I would highly recommend this book.

This book is unique. It is the only one available that talks to the inside world of the toddler: their frustations, their need to have you close but at the same time being independent. The book gives you practical advise to keep that in balance, never forgetting the individuality of your child. Having twin toddlers in the house I know this book has saved my sanity. There is a chapter that talks to the mother of a toddler, her challenges, her reality. I've never read anything that comprehensive. The book in general is easy to read and very well structured. It helped me make important decisions (i.e. take them to daycare or not). I recommend it highly.

(...). This is a great book on the subject of toddler emotions. It certainly is up-to-date. It is quite helpful in making sense of toddler' emotional lives and helpful to parents who want to better understand what is normal and when a toddler can use some extra help.

This book was so-so. The author explores the rapprochement stages of child development. She has 9 categories of types of children. Although the author claims she is a parent herself, she is very detached to what it is like being a parent and her views are purely psychological. I did not like the author's tone, (she reminds me of a psychoanalytic social worker) however she gives some detailed advice that you could try if it fits with your child raising philosophy.

Although this book has some informative stuff about different temperment types,etc, I found the author's suggestions and opionions very harsh, narrow minded and not up to speed of current child rearing views. Read it if you want to feel guilty.