Just Tell Me What To Say ~ Book Review

         I was very excited when I got this book in the mail. I have a 4 year old daughter and she has been asking lots of questions that I could use help answering. I was expecting the book to have just questions and answers with some scripting included. I did not expect that it would have much, much more that would help me in more ways than one!

         The first two chapters, which were very helpful for me, are about communicating with your child and discipline. It showed what I was doing right and a lot that I wasn't! The author and publisher say that this book is aimed at parents of children 2-6 years old, but I think that parents with children who are even younger should read at least these first two chapters. I think some of the problems we have had with our daughter could have been avoided if we were using some of the techniques that are in this book. If only it had been written three years ago! One of the topics discussed in the first chapter is using "good job!". After reading this, I realized that I was saying it all the time! I have since tried to think of other things to say but it is definitely a challenge!

         The rest of the book deals with specific situations and behaviors. They range from whining, picky eating, potty issues, manners and all the way to how to deal with serious illness, death, natural disasters, and sex. We have already had to try to explain death to our daughter because of a friend's mother's death and her great-grandma's death. Reading the chapters help me feel better about how I had answered these questions and has prepared me for the questions that will be coming.

          Not all of the topics will apply to everyone, but enough of them will to make reading this book worthwhile. I enjoyed reading and learning from this book. I feel that it has made me grow as a mother and to be better able to help my daughter as she grows. I have already told my husband that he has to read the book next!