Thanks to Shannon for hosting the Bloggy Giveaway carnival. To find many other giveaways, click on over.
Betsy Brown Braun has written a wonderful book aimed at parents of 2 to 6 year olds (and beneficial to parents of older school children as well). Just Tell Me What to Say offers “sensible tips and scripts for perplexed parents.” I would offer humorous to the mix as well, but otherwise that subtitle sums it up quite well.
The first two chapters address general communication principles, and discipline do’s and don’ts. These chapters in particular are especially applicable to children older than six as well as the targeted age group. Several of her tips were arrows aimed right at me pointing out communication mistakes that I regularly make:
- demanding eye contact (which requires so much effort for some kids that your message is actually lost)
- spelling or talking about your child in front of them as if they aren’t there (which shows disrespect)
- ignoring or tuning out (as much as that preschool flow of words requires of me, I need to take advantage of the communication, because unanswered questions eventually become unasked questions)
Other sections are devoted to sibling rivalry, tantrums (how to handle them and why they are a normal stage of development), food issues and nutrition, and social grace
s. The last few chapters offer help talking about difficult topics, such as the birds and the bees, a serious illness in the family, death, and natural disasters and war.
In each chapter, Braun first explains her take on the issue at hand (which is gleaned from thirty-seven years in practice as a child development specialist and raising her own triplets to adulthood). Then she offers bulleted lists in a “tips and scripts” section addressing the issue. I love the scripts! For example, if you have trouble standing firm on discipline (as I admit that I do) and not giving in to your child’s diversionary tactics, it’s much easier if you have an answer ready to go:
- I have made my decision, and I am not going to change my mind.
- You choose your behavior, you choose your consequence.
- I am done talking about this.
If you’ve ever wondered what to say or what to do while dealing with the normal development of a preschooler, you will find this book helpful and encouraging. To find out more about the author or the book, visit her website, JustTellMeWhattoSay.com.
One reader who leaves a comment will win a copy of Just Tell Me What to Say (that can ship to the U.S. or Canada). Be sure to check back next week to see if you are a winner so that you can be on the lookout for an email from me with the book title in the subject line.
These lucky readers have won Trail of Crumbs, the book we featured last week. You should have an email in your inbox (or your spam filter) to which you can respond with your name and address.
#35 Laura K.
#68 Marlene Rugg
#56 Corina Smith
I’d love to win this… thanks!
hope i win.
great giveaway!
I hate to admit how much I need some communication tips…
I need this very so, I’m a new mom and a part time baby sitter to younger siblings that are out of control!
cool beans!
could use this
Sounds like a great book!
I would love a copy of your book. Great tips!
Cheryle@twcny.rr.com
I could REALLY use this book. Twin five year old boys ‘nough said. LOL.
love books
This would be wonderful.
This would be great!!
I certainly would love to read this book! I think it gets tougher when they get past 6 and start to try to outsmart you!
My daughter is a pre-school teacher and could use this book. Some days her 10 2-3yo just bounce off the walls.!
This sounds fantastic, as I have two preschoolers that I’m trying to communicate with! Thanks!
Thanks for the Bloggy Contest!
Please enter me.
This is something I need to read. When my daughter knew how to spell at 4, our days of spelling communication were OVER! 🙂
I need this book. Enter me please.
Awesome thankyou.
thanks
Oh my gosh….have read my mind? my blog? seen my life?? I NEED THIS BOOK!!!! Thank you for telling me about it no matter what happens.
You girls add sparkle to my life! Thanks for all you do.
Wow, given the day I’ve had today with my 4 year old, I NEED this book. If I don’t win I think I will have to buy it! Winning it would be better though! 🙂
Thanks!
This book sounds great. Please enter me.
Sounds like an interesting book. Please count me in! Thanks!
looks like a great book!
please, count me in. thank you.
Oh..I think I need this book!
Nice giveaway ~ count me in, please!! :o)
This sounds like the book I need right now…
Shannon
owens1299@verizon.net
Thanks for entering me into your contest
Please enter my name in the drawing. I’d love to win the book/books.
I could definitely use this! I especially am interested in the NOT demanding eye contact…we’ve always required our kids to look at us when we’re talking, so I”m interested what they have to say about it.
Would love to win!
Sounds like a great book, please count me in!
I have three young Grandchildren. This would help.
cool giveaway!
Sounds like a great book for all parents! Thanks! ~ 🙂
Great contest! Please enter me. Thx! jlazztoo at yahoo dot com
Great!! Count me in!!
Check out my giveaway – Mary Kay Product!!
http://www.thepangburn.blogspot.com
Thank you!!
I could use this book. I have two five y/o’s and a three y/o. Some days, I need to just dive into a book like this. 😉
Looks like a great book- as the mom of an 8 month old and an MFT intern, this addresses my most prevalent interests! 🙂
Sounds like a neat book – count me in!
What a great idea!
best giveaway ever!
Please enter me in your contest.
i’d love to give this to my good friend. she has a 5 year old and a 8 month old, and they are really struggling. she’s be so happy to get some tips.
count me in
please enter me thanks
I could really benefit from this book! Please enter me and thanks!
Sounds like a book that could truly help me with my 2.5 & 4.5 y/o.
This book will be so helpful as I have two daughters!
Enter me!!!
Please enter us – we would love to win as parenting books are pretty much all I read lately …
Please count me in. Thanks for hosting!
Awesome!! Pretty Please?? http://www.jcbgrange.blogspot.com
With six kids, parenting books come in handy.
This books seems like it would be good for anyone who comes into contact with small children.
that sounds like something i could use!
I would love thesebooks!
I’m having a giveaway too! Check out my blog site to enter. Just click my name!
Sounds like a great book – I have a 2 year old so it will come in handy!
Thanks for offering this great giveaway and making me aware of this book. If I don’t win this copy I may have to look into buying this book on my own, with one year old twins we are rapidly approaching all this issues. Thanks for the heads up.
Too, too cool! I loved looking around your blog. Thank you for your great offer!
Gosh could I use this – I have 5 kids ages 5 and under!
I have a preschooler and toddler. Could totally use this book. Thanks!
I could use this book to help me with my 4 and 2 (almost) year olds. 🙂
Thanks for the chance to win. 🙂
My lil girl is about to be turning 2 years old , I really have needed something to read on terrible 2’s . Count me in please!
Great book! Please enter me.
This sounds like a great book. Thanks!
I could really use this!
zoetrope2000@gmail.com
This looks like a very interesting book that I could use ideas from. I have a creative five year old who manages to finagle her way around a lot of things I say. Some days, giving her directions is like writing a how-to manual. 🙂
Me me me!
Count me in!
I have a 2yr old, a 4 yr old, a 6 yr old and a 9 yr old. Please tell me what to say!!!
With a 2 toddlers I would sure get some use from this book! Thanks for a great contest!
LOVE IT and would LOVE to have it!
Looks like a great book.
WOW – what a great book!! Who couldn’t use help like that?
Sounds great. Count me in.
Sounds like a very interesting book. I think I could use this one!
Ashley
Oops, I’m guilty of all three of the “sins” you mentioned….gonna have to pick this book up!
Oh, these look good! HisKids37@sbcglobal.net
Please enter me! With 4 kids, ages 7 to 18 mos, this would help alot! Thanks so much!
Melissa
MamasBabiesx4@gmail.com
I think my 19 month old is in a phase where I could definitely use some help communicating with her. Thanks!
Finally something that might be a bit more useful than my smile and nod tactic I’ve had to use with my kids.
sounds like a great book
Sounds like an interesting book.
That sounds like a great book and sooooo needed with my youngest!
jocoiner@gmail[dot]com
love it enter me please 🙂
i have 3 boys one in kindergarted and one will be in preschool next year that book would help tons
mom2boys42@gmail.com
I need this book!!!! (momma of 3 under age 6)
oooh please pick me! great giveaway!
ok, I am going to need this soon!
my kids are very honery i have 3 lovely girls that are quite a handful
Just when you think you have all the answers…you wake up! Having children comes with new questions and no answers everyday. Although no one has all the answers, some help and direction would be great.
Mother of two (4 & 8) – would love some practical answers to the many questions of parenting.
That looks like something I could use 😀
fantastic, count me in!
I need this! Enter me please!
I could definately use this!
Please enter me. Thanks!
With a toddler who hit the”terrible twos” about 6 months early, this could really come in handy!
Enter me in your giveaway, please.
count me in….always looking for something wiser to say to my children.
count me in!!
Hi! This looks like a great tool towards healthy parenting!! Thanks!
Great giveaway! Sign me up!
Considering # 5 is on it’s way … I could use all the help I could get! : )
This book sounds great – count me in.
Looks like a good one…
As a mom of young boys, this would be a great book for when my kids leave me speechless 🙂
prettybritty425@gmail.com
I would LOVE this book. I often find myself not knowing what to say to my 2 year old!
conyersjessica@hotmail.com
Okay, I have 2 unruly children in that age group! 🙂 Perhaps if I don’t win, I will go ahead and buy this one…..do they have it on tape?? I have 2 unruly little ones and very little time to read! 🙂 LOL
Looks like a good one!
looks like a great book
Oh boy do I need this book –
I have two boys (my oldest 3 are girls) so this has been a learning experience…and right now I’m dealing with behaviors I’m not sure how to handle.
would LOVE this book!
Looks like an interesting book, could be very useful in parenting my three boys!
What a great giveaway! I am a mom to a 4, 9 and 11 year old! Thanks for doing this!
ahiltzy@yahoo.com
This would be a great book, thanks for the chance to win.
I love any books on parenting… Thanks for the contest.
Love it!!! =) Count me in!!!
awesome giveaway! please put my name in the hat! good luck everyone!
We could use the help here.
Just the book I need to read since i have a 2 and 3 1/2 yr old.
This book sounds great to use with my 5yo!
Sounds like a very helpful book.
definitely could use this book!
I could certainly use this book!
I’d love this book – after years of teaching fifth grade, sometimes I still really don’t have a clue how to respond to them!
Will the books tell me how to deal with my 6 year old’s tendency to launch in 30 minute monologues about random things while I’m trying to read, watch something, or talk on the phone or stop my 11 month old’s loud, ear-piercing shrieks when he doesn’t get his way? LOL
This is a great giveaway!
Sounds wonderful!
I could use all the help I can get. Terrific giveaway. Thanks!
Every mom needs this book…..Count me in!
I would love to win this book, it looks great!
princesslimey (at) gmail (dot) com
Hmm. My inching-closer-to-two-year-old is precociously verbal. I think I need this book.
Ooh! Please enter me in the drawing!
ernestsgirl82@yahoo.com
With three kids ages 5 and under, I need this book! I, too, am guilty of spelling in front of the kids.
Blessings,
Mary
Sounds great!! Please count me in! 🙂
I could totally use this book w/two young children.
I have a feeling I’ll need this soon for my two year old.
I would love this. I think communication is critical.
I really need this book!
An entry for me please.
taowyn (at) gmail (dot) com
Sign me up, please!
Oh, I think I need this! 🙂
Sarah
Great giveaway. I am definitely interested.
Sarah
SeekingHim@gmail dot com
This is the book for me and my husband. We could use some help in speaking with our 2 and 4 year olds.
I could really use some new ideas of how to talk to a toddler. Please pick me.
This sounds like a wonderful book, one that I could certainly learn a thing or two from.
hmmm, david will be 2 in june, looks like this should be on my list…
Looks like a great read. As a mom of a 3 year old, I could use it. Thanks for entering me.
ACK!!! I HAVE to have this book! So many questions, so few answers!!!!What a great prize!! Thanks!
Oh boy could I use this book!
Oh my! I would love for a book to tell me what to say to my 2 year old sometimes !!
I am a school based therapist and this book would be great at helping the parents help their kids!
Looks good! Please enter me.
Sounds like a great book, please include me 🙂
Love this book!
This would be a great asset to have around, I do believe! Thank you!
please include me as well; thanks!
very cool… looks like a great read…
Sounds like an interesting book that would benefit us.
Great idea for a book!
count me in. I need this book
Sounds like a great book!
I so need this book– and it sounds like it would work great on my junior high students, too!
Sounds like a great book. Thanks.
count me in!
thanks,
missy
I’m in
Please enter me
ooh, I think I need this
Please count me in! Thanks!
Newborn and 5 yr old boys control my life! HELP!
dansan826 at yahoo.com
Yes, yes, yes! I love those responses, I’m going to use them. Thank you!
I would love to have this book! I want to be a mommy very soon and it would give me a lot of answers to my questions.
what a great book. i am a mom of a 3 yo and an 8 yo. i sure could use this one!
The book looks great, and those responses are so much better than, “Because I said so!”
This sounds FANTASTIC! I would Love to win this book!
Thanks~ Amy
Me please!
I would love to win this book!
Thanks for the entry!
This book sounds like such a great resource! Please enter me!
Please sign me up, thanks.
I have a very spirited 5 year old….so this would be perfect to answer all of her questions that I just don’t have an answer for!
Looks very interesting!
Oh, that book seems like such a great help! Thanks for the chance to win!
Yes please!!
I NEED this book ! 🙂
I need all the help I can get. Count me in. Thanks!
Sounds like a book I need to read.
Count me in
fabulous!
Yeah, I need this! Would love to win!
I could use this!! Thank you!! 🙂
Okay, multitasking strikes again! I really am not this much of an idiot all the time! I MEANT to say that the book sounds great and would be really helpful with my very sensitive 3 year old.
Maybe this is why my hubby doesn’t think I should have multiple windows open at once! The cute bag was at http://shannonrjordan.blogspot.com/2008/01/does-everyone-know-what-time-it-is-time.html
I could totally use something like this!
Sounds like a book for me!
ooohh looks fantastic!
I would love to have this book! I have a very nice US address to ship to also;)
Very cute bag! Please add me to the drawing!
This sounds great…my daughter is only 14 months old…so we still have a bit to go before she turns two…but it’s never to early to read up!
Great concept! Sounds like a good parental guide.
Boy, do I need all the help I can get!!! Thanks…
OH man, I make those mistakes too! I thought that’s what you were SUPPOSED to do though! ARG! I really need this book! Thanks!
Just tell me what to say to win! 😉
Sounds like a nice contest, please enter me too.
although my dd is very good at communicating her wants and needs,having this book handy will add to the fun!
Enter me, please!
I would love one of these books. Please count me in. Thanks!
Sounds like something that would be really helpful around my house with my daughter. She chats up a storm at times and it’s really hard to stay on target. She also has a really hard time with eye contact. 🙂
Please count me in, thanks!
I need all the help I could get.
great book
I could really use this..thanks! Enter me please!
Sounds great!
I have a 12 month old..would love any suggestions I can get!
I would love to read this to know how to talk to my just-turned-two!
Count me in!
Sounds like a book I need!
My strong willed 5-year-old and I really need this book.
What a great giveaway! Please sign me up! Thanks!
I could really use this.
I’d love this for a baby shower gift!
Oh, I’d love to win! Please count me in! Thank you!
I’m doing a giveaway on both of my blogs:
http://airforcefamily2007.blogspot.com
http://goddessofthehome.blogspot.com
I’ll be doing a new giveaway everyday until Friday. Thought you might want to know.
Eden
Please enter me in your drawing….thank you =)
The book looks really interesting — could always use help when it comes to parenting! 🙂 mlciavola(at)yahoo(dot)com.
Aha, sounds like the book for me!!!
Little man just turned 1, but we can already tell that discipline will be an issue. Any help will be appreciated! Pick me!
I am the mother of a VERY mature 3 year old daughter, I absolutly need that book. Pick me!!!
Please.
great contest! count me in 🙂
I could definitely use this book! *lol*
I am a mom a 3 year old so this looks like an awesome prize to me!!
This would come handy! My two year old is an incrediable commicatior, and many times I forget he’s only 2…The first point you brought up, demanding eye contact when it is probably too much effort for them, really sold me!
Please enter me in your fabulous contest. The book sounds so useful! Thanks,Cindi
Wow, I could REALLY use this book. Me and my husband both!
What an awesome book. Goodness knows I need to know what to say an an almost daily basis!
What an awesome prize. I would love this for my creative little girl who says the most random things. Sometimes I just laugh when I should be discplining. Thanks
Wow, this book sounds targeted right for me!! Thanks for the chance to win!
Cannot tell you how much we need advice like this, lol!
ooohhh…i need this. I have a two and three year old. =O
Neat!
Great book premise, I want to win!
yikes… demanding eye contact is something i do. oops. sounds like i could definitely use this book. 🙂
Sounds interesting and appropriate for me.
Thanks!
Please sign me up. My son is turning 1 this week and I need a head start. 2 will be here before I know it.
Count me in! I would LOVE that!!!
Thanks so much!!!
Nichole
nicholejordanblog@yahoo.com
http://blog.handmadebycole.com/
I would love to read this book. There are days when my three year old says things to me that make my mouth drop open and I have no idea how to reply to her.
Count me in! Those books look great!!
With a four-year-old dd and a two-year-old ds, this book sounds perfect! Please count me in!
I’m always looking for parenting tips! Please enter me in your contest. Thank you.
I really need this book. I read just a few of the tips and am sad to say that I do all of those things at times. Now I am going to get off of this computer and go play with the kids.
This looks like an amazing read! Please count me in!
Sounds like a great book. My daughter is the mommy of 3 very active little boys. I bet she would love to have this book.
A great gift for any parent….
Please enter me in your in wonderful book giveaway contest. Thanks,Cindi
Oooh – I could use this.
I think most any mom would benefit from this book….but I sure hope it is me. I need a few special ‘go to ‘ phrases like the ones above…my 4 year old is a lawyer in training…I need all the help I can get.
Thank you!
Sounds like a good book!
Looks like a book I need!
Oh gosh. I really need to win this one!!!
This sounds like a wonderful book. Please enter me.
Our son has 3 children – boy 6 from first marriage, and 2 girls from present marriage. All parties on great terms, thankfully. But, when daughter-in-law 2 has all 3 kids all weekend, it is sometimes “bedlam” to say the least. She tries so hard to be equal in her discipline, and doesn’t want to “rock any boats”. Some fresh ideas would be helpful.
I’d like this, I need some help 🙂
Sounds like a good book. Count me in!
Wow Id love to win a copy!
That is a great idea for a book! Knowing what to say is half the battle in parenting, it helps you stick to your guns, and your kids actually respect you more for that.
This would really help me with my spirited little one.
tnayar at verizon dot net
Count me in!
Maybe this is what I need…
I would love this. I am always looking for good parenting tips.
COunt me in!
I would love this!
I could also use some advice from this book. Sometimes I’m not the most patient parent.
count me in please
I could use this book! THanks for the giveaway!
What a great book!
What a great giveaway! Please include me!
I could definitely use this book with my own kids as well as my daycare kids.
What a neat book! Please count me in! 🙂
This sounds like an awesome book! 🙂
I could so use this book!! Parenting is really tough sometimes. Thanks 🙂
I’m a new mom and this book I would love to win.
Thanks
palmersf@comcast.net
count me in. thanks!
Could totally use this book!
I could REALLY use this book or any to remind me every day about the best way to deal with my wonderful, strong willed boys. please enter me.
Sounds like a very helpful read. Count me in!
I so need this book too…..and I also demand eye contact, and frequently tune out. And I forgot how it made me feel as a kid…..I guess you do tend to raise your kids the way you were!
Count me in please.
I blogged ya:
http://laurawilliamsmusings.blogspot.com/2008/01/monday-edition-of-contests-galore_28.html
Thanks for the giveaway 🙂
I definitely need this book for my nursery class. Thanks!
With a 2.5 and a 4.5 year old, I definitely need this book…
With 2 toddlers, I need this book!
What a neat book! This sounds like a great read!
This sounds like the book for me!
This looks like a great book that everyone, even those who are not parents but are still around kids, can learn from!
As a first time mom, and a 2 year old throwing Terrible Twos Tantrums, I need this!
The book would be great to have:)
This book sounds like it is full of helpful advice. Count me in.
This book sounds like it is full of fabulous advice.
I feel like I’m already in some of these spots with the 2.5 year old. This sounds like a very helpful book.
I have a toddler, but I know I’ll need all the help I can get when she hits preschool age. I’d love to win this goodie! I love to read books on parenting–the only experience I have so far is my one year of mothering, and that’s not much!
That sounds like a great book.
I’m all about books these days.
Sounds great Jennifer!
It sounds like I really need this book! My 3 year old can really get the best of me at times!
This would be very helpful as our little guys get older. Thanks for the great book reviews and giveaways!
I have two little ones this would help out.
Oh my, I really think I need this book. I need some tips for dealing with my spirited 3 year old.