January 25, 2007

Sometimes parenthood seems like a series of exams you haven't studied for. There are so many things you never even considered before baby's arrival (hidden toxins?). But a well-stocked parenting library can help anyone in need of a boost. Time to hit the books and check out these new titles.

	Chicken Soup for the Soul: Recipes for Busy Moms When they're picky and you're stressed, it's hard to imagine making and sharing a family meal. National TV personality Mr. Food offers delicious family-friendly dishes and useful time and sanity-saving tips, along with color photos, ingredient lists for the well-stocked kitchen, and of course, the heartwarming and inspiring stories that make the Chicken Soup book series unique.
	The Wingy Chronicles: Grandpa's Guide to Life Joseph "Wingy" Cariello, grandfather of five, offers advice for moving beyond spoiling children with gifts by focusing on quality family time. Among his many useful tips are creative ways of keeping in touch, mastering the art of storytelling, sharing family memories, and making the grandkids laugh. Through stories from his own life, he demonstrates the many ways grandparents can have a positive impact.
	Easy Labor: Every Woman's Guide to Choosing Less Pain and More Joy During Childbirth OK, we're not so sure anything can make labor easy, but this practical and comprehensive guide can make it a lot less confusing. Covering every aspect of pain relief in labor, from acupuncture to epidurals, Easy Labor offers the full unvarnished truth, as well as specific techniques to help ease your pain and your (completely normal!) fears. Don't wait until the first contraction to consider your options.
	Baby-Proofing Your Marriage: How to Laugh More, Argue Less and Communicate Better as Your Family Grows In this funny and candid look at the trials of new parenthood, young moms tell the whole truth about what really happens to the two of you when baby makes three, and offer some helpful advice from the trenches. From the sudden shifts in responsibilities and roles to the anxiety of sex (or no sex) and the drama of competing grandparents, this book will help you sort through the issues while holding onto your sense of humor. With plenty of stories and input from the husband's point of view, it's a great resource for both Mom and Dad.
	The Complete Organic Pregnancy It's important to give your baby a healthy start, but with all the conflicting advice and dire warnings it's hard to know where to begin without panicking. Finally, here's a guide to minimizing your exposure to pollutants and maximizing the health benefits of the foods and products you choose. The authors explain where toxins hide, how to avoid them and where to find safe alternatives. Mixed in with the advice are recipes from organic chefs and personal diaries from writers and moms including Barbara Kingsolver and Marion Nestle.
	The Elephant in the Living Room: Make Television Work for Your Kids Despite your best intentions, your kids are going to watch TV. Two experts in television and child development offer an alternative to the guilt you feel whenever the TV is on. Relying on more than 20 years of research, the authors encourage parents to think of television as a tool that can have many purposes. By paying close attention to what children watch and the frequency and context of viewing, parents can approach this highly charged topic in a rational, practical and positive way.