Raising Ourselves

RAISING OURSELVES is a gritty, sobering, yet irresistible memoir filled with laughter even as generations of Gwich'in grief seeps from past to present. But hope pushes back hopelessness, and a new strength and wisdom emerge from the lives of the native people of the Yukon River in Alaska.

[This title] operates on the radical premise that neither child nor parent must dominate. -- Review.

An Entertaining, Enlightening Look at the Art of Raising Self-Reliant, Independent Children Based on One American Mom’s Experiences in Germany An NPR "Staff Pick" and One of the NPR Book Concierge's"Best Books of the Year" When Sara Zaske moved from Oregon to Berlin with her husband and toddler, she knew the transition would be challenging, especially when she became pregnant with her second child. She was surprised to discover that German parents give their children a great deal of freedom—much more than Americans. In Berlin, kids walk to school by themselves, ride the subway alone, cut food with sharp knives, and even play with fire. German parents did not share her fears, and their children were thriving. Was she doing the opposite of what she intended, which was to raise capable children? Why was parenting culture so different in the States? Through her own family’s often funny experiences as well as interviews with other parents, teachers, and experts, Zaske shares the many unexpected parenting lessons she learned from living in Germany. Achtung Baby reveals that today's Germans know something that American parents don't (or have perhaps forgotten) about raising kids with “selbstandigkeit” (self-reliance), and provides practical examples American parents can use to give their own children the freedom they need to grow into responsible, independent adults.

With this practical guide, parents can end daily power struggles with their preschoolers, toddlers, and infants and create more time for the family to spend on things that matter by encouraging early childhood independence skills. We’ve all heard the news about helicopter parents and boomerang children—but how can parents safeguard against these trends when our children’s lives are increasingly scheduled and competitive? Pediatrician Dr. Alanna Levine offers a commonsense parenting approach that avoids divisive strategies and helps parents find a balanced ground between overindulgence and strict control. Raising a Self-Reliant Child focuses on teachable moments where parents can instill independence, such as sleep time, toilet training, mealtime, and playtime. With Dr. Levine’s practical strategies and techniques, young children learn to take responsibility for their daily routines: babies learn to sleep through the night, toddlers learn to nap without their parents stretched out alongside, and school-age children learn to dress themselves and make breakfast with little parental intervention. Overprotection and micromanagement keep young children from the self-development that comes naturally from learning and doing on one’s own. And children who don’t learn independence skills at an appropriate age grow into adults who expect others to fix challenges and conflicts for them. Dr. Levine helps you break the cycle of daily power struggles so that you and your family will have more time to focus on the things that really matter.

Challenging popular beliefs about self-esteem parenting, a guide for parents recommends an alternative approach that encourages respect for the self and others, in a reference that explains how to foster such values in children as thankfulness and unselfishness. Original. 50,000 first printing.

This important book goes beyond issues of strictness and leniency to show parents how to develop their children's values of accountability and adherence to responsible, internalized standards of behavior. Children will value the presence of these responsible, self-reliant, and mature traits in themselves.

No parent or educator can afford to ignore this groundbreaking work! Bestselling authors H. Stephen Glenn and Jane Nelsen have helped hundreds of thousands of parents raise capable, independent children with Raising Self-Reliant Children in a Self-Indulgent World. On its tenth anniversary, this parenting classic returns with fresh, up-to-date information to offer you inspiring and workable ideas for developing a trusting relationship with children, as well as the skills to implement the necessary discipline to help your child become a responsible adult. Those who think in terms of leniency versus strictness will be surprised. This book goes beyond these issues to teach children to be responsible and self-reliant—not through outer-directed concerns, such as fear and intimidation, but through inner-directed behavior, such as feeling accountable for one's commitments. Inside, you'll discover how to instill character-building values and traits in your child that last a lifetime. "During these turbulent days when families are in disarray and children are getting the short end of the stick, this book can be very helpful to parents who are struggling to bring up self-reliant children. Even after raising five of my own and becoming a grandfather for the seventh time, I got some new ideas out of it!"—Art Linkletter "An inspiring, workable formula for developing closeness, trust, dignity, and respect . . . a real gem."—Becky Ridgeway, School Social Worker

For any mom who has ever felt inadequate, overwhelmed, or guilty in trying to balance it all, popular podcaster Sarah Bragg offers brilliant clarity and respite in this friendly manual for becoming your most authentic self, instead of just surviving motherhood. Nothing will make you grow up faster than trying to raise a kid. This is what popular podcast host and mom Sarah Bragg explores so beautifully as she encourages and equips moms who are discovering all the ways they still need to grow. It's easy to lose our sense of self in the all-consuming process of raising our children, but Sarah reminds us that the best gift we can bring to our kids is our true, authentic selves. Through vulnerable and relatable stories, no-nonsense wisdom, and a compassionate perspective for all the joys and challenges of motherhood, Sarah provides shame-free practical help to surviving right where you are in life, in relationships, in work, and in faith. This guidebook to health and sanity for the wilderness of parenting will help you: Give yourself permission and find the courage to show up as yourself Wrestle with how purpose, work, and calling fit together Notice and celebrate the good that's happening right around you Remember your worth is not in your kids or your role as a parent but in something far more lasting Find solidarity, understanding, and helpful encouragement to embrace all that motherhood is and remember who you truly are. Because you matter, and raising great kids starts with raising yourself well.