The ABCs of Parenthood: An Alphabet of Parenting Advice

By Deborah Copaken and Randy Polumbo

A wise, witty guide for new (and gently used) parents: “You will come back to The ABCs of Parenthood again and again.” —Parents
 
This delightfully grown-up alphabet book brims with the kind of advice only those who’ve been there can give. From “D is for Dog” (get one) to “P is for Praise” (do it often but appropriately) to “R is for Romance” (keep it alive after the kids arrive), each mini essay is coupled with a full-color photograph to warm your heart and make you smile as you continue your quest to raise positive, thoughtful children.
 
“Absolutely essential reading for anyone who’s had a parent, been a parent, wants to be a parent or knows a parent.” —Julie Klam, New York Times–bestselling author of You Had Me at Woof
 
“A-Z concepts which promote kindness, compassion, self-reliance, and love . . . The stunning photo illustrations are works of art in and of themselves. This book will teach you to stop hovering and worrying and start letting go and enjoying the ride.” —Ayelet Waldman, author of Love and Treasure

• Language: English
• Publisher: Open Road Integrated Media
• Release date: Aug 29, 2017
• ISBN: 9781452157689

Book preview

A is for Acceptance

Short, tall, round, straight, daring, meek, cheerful, dour, rugged, dainty: every child is a mystery to be celebrated rather than solved.

From the moment your child meets the world, impressionable and innocent, your home is the place where they can flourish and grow into themselves judgment free. Children will automatically compare themselves to others and find themselves lacking or out-of-step. Teach them that differences are the ingredients that make life rich and enchanting. There’s poetic beauty in a tree that has bent to years of wind, the off-key song, the messy paintings that are all masterpieces. Inspire your child to see the gifts in their mistakes and differences.

B is for Boundaries

A boundary is a mutually acceptable line of separation between you and your growing small person: the crib, time alone, the hug they’d rather not give. It’s the single sock it takes your toddler ten minutes to put on solo, determined to Do it self. It’s the door your teenager purposefully closes.

Respecting a child’s needs and boundaries teaches them, in turn, to respect yours. Cheerfully acknowledge their privacy and personal space, and try not to force or demand affection. Time alone with friends and private spaces are their sanctuary. Delineating your own boundaries is equally important, everything from the manners you’d like observed, to help around the house, to your own private life.

C is for Cucumber

Once a pickle, never a cucumber again.

The presence and purity of a newborn is inspiring: the way they fall rapt into a trance as they gaze at a ceiling fan, a kitten, or

Reviews for The ABCs of Parenthood

[fcclibraryoshkosh · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The ABC's of Parenting is a fun quick read. It's perfect for those days when parenting, and the world, seem to go too fast. It would be a good gift for new parents and the mediations in the book would work for almost anyone.

[drt_4 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I received The ABCs of Parenthood An Alphabet of Parentimg Advice for free from Librarything.com. Chronically Books LLC published it and offered it up requesting I write a review, I would say it is a cute little book with some good wisdom, suggestions and it has some pictures of letters. My wife really likes letters found in nature and in the community. These pictures were not my favorite as some of them were very difficult to make out but I applaud the effort. Thank you for this book.