“I wonder sometimes if there’s something to the oldsuperstition about the number thirteen. Maybe that superstition wasoriginally created by the mothers in some tribe who noticed that intheir children’s thirteenth year, they suddenly became possessed byevil spirits. Because it did seem that whenever Taz was around,things spilled and shattered, calm turned into chaos, and temperswere lost.” So laments the mother of one thirteen-year-old boy, Taz, a teenwho, overnight it seemed, went from a small, sweet, loving boy to ahulking, potty-mouthed, Facebook/MySpace–addicted C student whodidn’t even bother to hide his scorn for being anywhere in theproximity of his parents. As this startling transformation floors journalist Beth Harpazand her husband, Elon, Harpaz tries to make sense of a bizarreteenage wilderness of $100 sneakers, clouds of Axe body spray (tohide the scent of pot?!), and cell phone bills so big they requirenine-by-twelve envelopes. In the process, she begins chroniclingh

The Breastfeeding Book Your Doctor Recommends Why is breastfeeding best for my baby? Will I like it? What ifit hurts? What happens when my maternity leave is over? Will I beable to use a breast pump? How can I make this work? The American Academy of Pediatrics, the organization thatrepresents the nation’s finest pediatricians, answers thesequestions and many more in this invaluable resource to help you andyour baby get the healthiest possible start. The benefits ofbreastfeeding will last a lifetime, for both you and your baby. Here is everything new mothers need to know about breastfeeding.From preparing for the first feeding to adjusting to home, family,and work life as a nursing mother, this comprehensive resourcecovers: ? Preparing for breastfeeding before your baby is born ? Breastfeeding benefits for mothers and babies, including themost recent neurological, psychological, and immunological researchshowing why breastfeeding enhances your infant’s immune system andprotects against many common il

Change Your Child's Life! Turn Negative Behavior into PositiveTraits How do you deal with a difficult and defiant child or teenager?What can you do if your child has been diagnosed with oppositionaldefiant disorder (ODD) or is resentful and constantly in trouble atschool? Are there constructive ways to channel such oppositionalenergy and determination? Dr. John F. Taylor will tell youhow. Inside, you'll find new hope and hundreds of specific, sensible,and easy-to-implement suggestions for improving life with arebellious and argumentative child. Parents and teachers — anyonewho deals with difficult children, teens, or young adults — willalso learn how to tap the potential of these natural-born leadersby discovering how to: ?Understand why an oppositional attitude exists ?Open up new, safer avenues for children to express needs andwants ?Enhance communication, avoid common mistakes, and reduceundesirable behavior ?Teach a child conscience-based self-control ?

The years from Ten to Fourteen are undeniably trying andturbulent years for parents and children alike. Adolescents developby leaps and bounds during these years, and often find themselvesuncomfortable with who they are and what they’re feeling. Parents,too, don’t know what to expect from the adolescent child who is atone moment hostile and glum, at the next carefree and happy. YourTen- to Fourteen-Year-Old was written by renowned child-careexperts Louise Bates Ames, Frances Ilg, and Sidney Baker to helpprepare parents for the incredible changes their children will begoing through. Included in this book: · Boy-girl relationships and sexual curiosity · Clubs, hobbies, activities, sports · Trouble at school · Family life and relationships with siblings · Physical development—the awkward adolescent · Summer jobs and independence · Money matters · Personal hygiene · Moodiness, loneliness · Smoking, drinking, drug use

A good night's sleep is crucial both for a child's well-beingand a parent's peace of mind. This positive, practical guideteaches parents to establish good sleeping habits in their kids andcope with the problems that cause sleepless nights, from colic tobed-wetting to nightmares.

My eight-year-old son is the only boy in his class who doesn'thave a Gameboy. I don't want him to be ostracized for not havingone, but I worry that it's addictive. What do you think? Our two sons are eleven and fourteen, and they are fiercelycompetitive. The tension around our house is awful. How can we helpthem get along better? We've worked very hard to keep our ten-year-old son in touch withhis feelings. Sometimes it seems as if we've put him at adisadvantage, surrounded by tougher boys who can be pretty cruelwith teasing. How can we help him protect himself when other boysstart to tease? With his bestselling book Raising Cain, Michael Thompson, Ph.D.,at last broke the silence surrounding the emotional life of boysand spearheaded an important national debate. His warmth and humorquickly made him a popular and respected international speaker andconsultant. Now he directs his authority, insight, and eloquence toanswering your questions about raising a son. With candid questionsand th