[.ca] ON BECOMING TODDLERWISE: Parenting the Second Year From ... (ISBN 0971453225)

We loved Toddlerwise. . . And then regretted it.:
Often people defend Gary Ezzo's parenting materials with "The materials are great! As long as you use common sense and don't follow the books legalistically. . ." The assumption is that there is no inherent problem with Babywise, just in parents not using common sense. Two friends sent me Gary Ezzo's "Babywise" when I was expecting our first. It was interesting, a bit strange--nothing like the other books I had read about infant parenting. But the way in which it was written was persuasive and I found myself skimming over it again. Then the "Preparation for Parenting" classes were offered at our church. In the end, we implemented the PDF routine--with common sense, flexibility, and encouragement from "Contact Moms." My son seemed to do great on it at first--but my son went from a hefty 16 lbs at 3.5 months to 14 lb 2 oz at 6 months. Later I found out that milk supply loss and slowed weight gain is normal within families that implement Babywise. Why? Because it goes against how breastfeeding works, chemically, hormonally and physiologically. And Babywise if full of other *medical* errors, that parents tend to overlook because of how persuasive Gary Ezzo can write. If you are interested in the full story of our experience with Babywise, Toddlerwise, and Ezzo materials in general, google "Confessions of a Failed Babywiser". Don't waste your money on this book.

Like it or not... It Worked!!!:
With our first child, we used Babywise. It was a huge success. He was sleeping through the night, gaining more than sufficient weight, and now as a toddler understands his boundaries in the household. The first years of his life were not wasted on his parents always submitting to his schedule. Due to our great success, we were influenced by a friend's disgust with us using an "insensitive and uncaring method". So with our second, we used an alternative method she suggested. My wife nursed all night long for his first 6 months. He learned fast that our world was revolving around him. Thinking we had done something wrong after our long nights, we talked with the friend that suggested this alternative. Turns out she always had the same problems with her children. At 9 months and 6 months respectively, she tried cutting out the nightly feedings for her children cold turkey. She considered this 1-2 weeks of 1 hour crying to be expected and normal. I've now realized that it is much more caring of a parent to establish this routine from the beginning. We have now started our toddler on the wonderful Toddlerwise, and our 7 month old infant that was raised with the alternative method - is now a much happier baby having made the switch 2 weeks ago. Though these ideas in this book have been an incredible success, one must always use man's ideas in moderation. You are the parent, not the book.

I HATE These So-Called "Wise" Books!:
Try Dr. Sears' "Family Dicipline Book." It works better than this abusive method of parenting.

It is not worth the $12.95 or even $8.:
The authors have a very nice style, unfortunately the book is not useful enough compared to "What to Expect the Toddler Years" ISBN : 0894809946.

Good sense parenting:
As the mother of triplets I have found these books to be invaluable. They provide great parenting guidlines and suggestions. As with everything in parenting you must use your common sense and modify their suggestions to your situation. Very helpful for getting your child on a great schedule that makes both of you happy. I cant tell you how many people have told me what great well behaved, happy, and compliant children I have. We have all slept through the night since 13 weeks!!!