Welcome to API Reads!
The API Reads program launched with a bang with the book Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids: How to Stop Yelling and Start Connecting by Dr. Laura Markham! The API Reads program is a way for you to read books that help you further your connection with your child and family. It is an educational resource but also a great way to discuss with others the parenting books you're already reading or had on your list. Its way more fun to read a book with a community than it is to read alone. Why not enjoy a discussion to see what points in the book really resonated with you, what portions you felt you wanted to get more information on, and what portions you felt were just not going to work in your family so that you can find suggestions on how it could. The API Reads program is a valuable resource to add to your attachment parenting toolkit. Don't have time to read… join in the discussion anyways to see what useful information you can gather for a time period when reading is a much longed for indulgence. Plus, some of the books will be in audio format as well. We hope you enjoy and participate in the API Reads program through GoodReads: http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/95405-api-reads.
Upcoming 2013 reading schedule:
May/June: Attached at the Heart by Barbara Nicholson and Lysa Parker
July/August: Nurturing the Soul of Your Family: 10 Ways to Reconnect and Find Peace in Everyday Life by Renee Peterson Trudeau
September/October: Getting the Love You Want by Harville Hendrix
November/December: Raising an Emotionally Intelligent Child: The Heart of Parenting by John Gottman, Ph.D.
Any good books you've read that you think would be wonderful to add to the mix? Email us to let us know.
Happy reading everyone!
Our May/June online book discussion will be based upon the founders of Attachment Parenting International Barbara Nicholson and Lysa Parker book Attached at the Heart.
To join the discussion, please click here to be taken to the GoodReads website.
Attached at the Heart is truly a cherishable book full of knowledge that you can apply to your family setting. The main concept is basing the book off of the Eight Principles of Parenting by Attachment Parenting International. The topics covered and that we'll discussing will be: Breaking the Ties that Bind, Principle 1 Prepare Yourself for Pregnancy, Birth, and Parenting: What Every Parent Needs to Know; Principle 2 Feed with Love and Respect: Beginning the Attachment Process; Principle 3 Responding with Sensitivity: Learning the Language of Love; Principle 4 Use Nurturing Touch: The Healing Power of Physical Closeness; Principle 5 Ensure Safe Sleep-Physically and Emotionally: The Critical Importance of Nighttime Needs; Principle 6 Provide Consistent, Loving Care: Keeping Your Attachment with Baby Secure; Principle 7 Practice Positive Discipline: Be the Change You Wish to See; Principle 8 Strive for Balance in Your Personal and Family Life: Peace Within Creates Peace at Home; and Nurturing Children for a Compassionate World. Another wonderful asset of this book is the many resources that are provided and referenced throughout the book.
A message from Barbara Nicholson and Lysa Parker:
Dear AP Families and Friends,
We are very excited about our book being chosen for API Reads for May and June. You may be surprised to see that this is not only a book with practical parenting suggestions, but we include a lot of the "Why's." We wanted our book to give parents and professionals the research and observations of many different disciplines, from child development to anthropology. We continue to be excited about the corroborating research that affirms if we raise empathic caring children, they will grow up to be more compassionate adults. The key is to parent more from the heart, listening to our inner wisdom, than the confusing messages of a society that often promotes disconnection in parenting advice. Another critical reason we wrote the book and founded API was to give parents the support they need~parenting is not for the faint of heart! We all need to be in a 'tribe' of like minded parents~extended family and we hope our API groups will continue to meet that need for community for generations to come!
Love and Gratitude to all of you for being on this journey together!
Barbara and Lysa
