Miss Poppy's Guide to Raising Perfectly Happy Children

by Elaine Addison

Beleaguered parents and frenzied nannies -- your call for help has been answered. Starting at six months and going up to five years, Miss Poppy (aka Elaine Addison) brings a wealth of experience and... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0060828269
• ISBN13: 9780060828264
• Release Date: September 2005
• Publisher: William Morrow & Company
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 1.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.6" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

I LOVE This Book!

This is such a practical, loving and very kind book for how to enjoy your child's toddler stage. It contains all kinds of suggestions for making life fun for both you and your tot -- all surrounded with lots of hugs and comforting. The sleep, feeding, potty training, and other advice seems spot on. It also offers lots of British-y nursery rhymes and classic book and toy suggestions. I highly recommend it to parents with 1- to 3-year-olds.

A True Gem -- full of wise advice and sweet illustrations

Classy hardcover guide to parenting with plenty of sound advice. Beats all those paperback 'supernanny' type guides hands-down. This one is from a professional who knows her stuff, not a puffed up overnight TV personality. Starts at 6 months and includes all the basics, plus fun recipes and advice. A nice gift for a new mother

Brimming with Common Sense

I admit that I laughed a little when I first saw this book. Perfectly happy children? I flipped through a little, though, and took it home. The author has been a nanny for 18 years, her recipe for good childcare is "provide the safety and security of a familiar routine, set clear limits and boundaries in order to make them feel loved and cared for and to teach respect, and, most importantly, make it fun and play together." She breaks the book down into 6 months-1 year, 1 year to 2 1/2 and 2 1/2 to 5. My child is already 1 so I didn't read all the first part but she lists 10 steps to a routine, suggestions for introducing table food, games to play, etc. I do not agree with the "cry it out" sleep method but this did not detract from my enjoyment of the book. The rest seemed very common sense, but sometimes you're so sleep deprived you want something down on paper to give you a routine to stick to. The toddler section was also good, I particularly like her recipes for toddlers and "Tips for Fussy Non-eaters." Though I am devoted to attachment parenting, it does not really conflict with her philosophy (except for the cry-it-out thing and I realize parents all have strong feelings one way or another--and even she says to distinguish between actual hysterical crying and "oscar-worthy performances" and that if the child is sick and miserable to bring her to bed with you) and actually abuts nicely, the whole organic food, prepared yourself, making bed a positive association with lots of snuggles, playing with them but also reading the baby's signs for when they're done playing, hungry, tired, etc. Her philosophy seems to be a routine that is flexible "within reason." She says "it is important to remember never to compare your child with others. You have a unique, individual child who was born with a temperament and personality that you are patiently nurturing. There are no right and wrong ages for them to develop, just guidelines that you can follow. All you can do is teach and assist them, and trust that they will accomplish what they need to in their own time." This book is chock full of specific and sensible information and has lots of ideas with regards to play, discipline, potty training, nutrition, and much more. I would certainly gift it at a baby shower (perhaps with a more mainstream first 5 years books like Dr. Sears Baby Book) as it is gorgeous and a very pleasant read, interspersed with quotes to begin each new section. Don't dismiss this because it looks fluffy, this is a gem!