Naomi Aldort is an eloquent proponent of the simple idea that children need love and validation, rather than control and behavior modification. The result is the disappearance of power struggles and the emergence of closeness and cooperation. Aldort teaches parents how to listen effectively when children express strong feelings, and how to recover their ability to love, validate and offer comfort to their children when they, themselves, are upset. -Nappa AwardsAbout the AuthorNaomi Aldort is the author of Raising Our Children, Raising Ourselves, sold in thirteen languages. Her advice columns are published in progressive parenting magazines worldwide. Aldort offers guidance by phone/Skype internationally regarding all ages, babies through teens: attachment parenting; natural learning; peaceful and powerful parent-child relationships, self-realization, marriage and more. Products, phone sessions and free newsletter: www.authenticparent.com what is the best selling book in 2018 Raising Our Children, Raising Ourselves: Transforming parent-child relationships from reaction and struggle to freedom, power and joy
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Interesting book.By BreezyA man told me about this book as I was shopping with my toddler at a home improvement store and came across him in an isle. Very strange, but interesting encounter with a stranger.Interesting book. Makes me think of how I was as a child and how my parents dealt with me and why it may be the way I am now. I am not so sure about all the "clients" examples. It seems fairy tail or after school special to me, unless that is how all of her clients and children talk. It has helped me to understand why my toddler does certain things. I have always been more open minded and let my toddler be clingy, frightened without telling him to not be, explore, figure it out, or experience on his own than most parents. There are days he has a temper or some kind of frustration all day, at least if feels that way. This book has helped me keep calmer than I normally am and not yell or raise my voice at him (which I started doing after he was 2.5 years old). He is now a month shy of 3.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. I and the children enjoy the authentic connection created through following the advice written ...By CustomerI am not a parent but work with children in various settings. This book helps me understand the emotions the children experience and provide me with tools to navigate them. I and the children enjoy the authentic connection created through following the advice written in the book. I find the insights into human nature helpful in other relationships as well. I feel the author's words validate my experiences as a child and I am baffled when I read reviews that say the book is too child-centered and does not take parents' needs into consideration. Naomi is an advocate for all family members and validates everyone including the struggling parents whom she urges to be kind to themselves. She in fact writes it is crucial for parents to recognize their emotional needs and take care of them. After all, we are all children at heart and need compassion as well. I hope many people will read this book and find insights that will transform their relationship with children into joyful connection.9 of 9 people found the following review helpful. ShiningBy SolimanderRaising Our Children / Raising Ourselves is a how to for building an honest relationship based on trust, not manipulation. When we view a child who is "behaving badly" as one who is frustrated, instead of as one who needs to be controlled and stopped, we are free to listen to what they are saying. When we do that, they start to calm down in short order. And they begin to trust us. Naomi's book is all about being motivated internally - being who we are versus looking externally for clues on how to behave (what gains praise or avoids scolding).We live in a society with parenting, schooling, and jobs where people would constantly control us and judge us. Its the difference between a pianist who is great because that's how he got approval and love or who is great because he enjoys what he does and pursues it in an unfettered way. This book is really about creating true happiness and security (empowerment) so that we can succeed. But succeed most importantly in our relationships with our children and our spouse so that these external things aren't so important.Naomi is particularly insightful in offering ways to deal with obstacles, like power games and name calling. You can change struggling to laughing in minutes. I mean how cool would it be if you had someone who listened to you who really cared about you, not about getting you to do something.Naomi's view can be challenging. Witness the one star reviews. Take her idea that elders should respect their children. When we're controlled our whole life, we may be looking forward to controlling children. Assuming they don't know what's right for themselves and that we do. That if we don't make them go to school - that they don't like - they'll come to a bad end. That we should be able to vent on them and not have anyone question it. But just because we live in a society where something is said a million times and we are looked down on for suggesting something different - doesn't make the thing true and doesn't make the different wrong. Do we want to parent in our homes in ways that we think will gain society's approval or do we want to parent in ways that we approve of?