The Joy of Parenting Preschoolers

Part 1: The Job and Joy of Parenting Little Ones

Chapter 1 -- Parenting Preschoolers: Your Job Description

Growing Healthy Adults Starts At Birth
The Critical Developmental Issues of the Preschooler: Trust, Autonomy, Initiative and a Sense for God
The “Good Enough” Parents
The Parental Team and Working Together
The Necessity of Nurturing Your Marriage
Single Parenthood and Its Challenges
The Big Yellow Bus: The Dilemma of Tears and Joy as They Go To School
The Rewards of Parenthood ? Now and Later

Chapter 2 -- Your Child’s Personality and Temperament

Nature v. Nurture: Traits and Types
Discovering Your Child’s Uniqueness
Being Sensitive to Intelligence Levels, Learning Disabilities, Giftedness, and Factors Influencing Our Child
The Importance of Understanding and Caring for Emotions

Part 2: Development and Growth

Chapter 3 -- Creating Memories

Preparation for the Rocking Chair: A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words
Reading, Running and Laughing
What They Won’t Remember
Recording Stuff for Their Wedding Day!

Chapter 4 -- Communicating With Your Preschooler

Language Development and When Your Child Doesn’t Talk
Gaining the Cooperation of your Preschooler and Dealing with “No”
Raising Verbally and Emotionally Competent Children
Understanding Your Child;

Chapter 5 -- Developing a Sense of Self

The Critical Importance of Secure Attachments
Separation Anxiety
Self-Recognition
Self-Definition
Self-Esteem
The Center of Control
Parental Responsiveness
Who We Are In Christ

Chapter 6 -- Healthy Sexuality and Caring for Genitals

Healthy Sexuality starts young
Masturbation and Your Child
Sexual Exploration with Peers
The Limits of Physical Touch by Others
The Little Bit That Preschoolers Need to Know About Sex

Chapter 7 -- Play For Your Preschooler Play and the Brain

Are You Ready for ACTION?
Mom and Dad: Primary Playmates!
At Two, Together But Not Really
Friends From Three: Socialization with Peers Begins
Pots, Pans, Computers and Felt Pens
Silliness and When Things Get Out of Hand
Playground Isolation and Rejection
Visits With Friends

Part 3: Everyday Routines with Your Child

Chapter 8 -- Introducing Your Preschooler to the Competition!

Preparing For the New Baby
Introductions Start at The Hospital
Issues When the Newborn Comes Home
Tips for Avoiding Hostility and Jealousy
Regression
Tips for Dealing with Aggression and Regression

Chapter 9 -- Eating Healthy, Getting Clean and Being Safe at Home

Good Eating Starts with Baby Food: Getting It In and Keeping It In
Bathing, Washing and Scrubbing and Brushing: Getting Clean Doesn’t Always Come Easy, Avoiding Plaque and Cradle Cap
Child proofing the house
Other Safety Issues of Note

Chapter 10 -- Potty Training

From Diapers to Underwear: The Issue of Self-control and Willpower
“Bye Bye, Pooh Pooh”: Saying Goodbye to Part of Myself!
“M and M’s” and Behavioral Reinforcement in Potty Training
Boys : Sitting or Standing?
When Potty Training is a Power Struggle
“Yuck. It’s another wet bed!”
When They “Go” For Other Reasons!

Chapter 11 -- Shopping With Your Preschooler(s)

Safety When Out and About
Why So Ornery NOW?
Keeping Control of the Situation and Your Sanity
The Best and Worst of Parenting on Display for the Whole Wide World to See

Chapter 12 -- Putting Junior to Bed and the Importance of Routines

The Basic Plan
Bed Time & Hunger
Daytime Naps: Needs of Parents and Children
Night Time Comfort and Warmth
When You’ve Simply Had It!
Nighttime Ordeals
Emotional Stressors and Sickness Cause Regression

Part 4: Spiritual Development of Your Child

Chapter 13 -- Training Your Preschooler to Discern the Holy Spirit

The Spirit Within, God Speaks to Kids
The Spirit Within, God Warns Kids
The Spirit Within, God Flows Through Kids
The Spirit Within, God Comforts Kids

Chapter 14 -- Growing Kids With A Conscience

Self-Control
Locus of Control
Development of Morality and Altruism

Chapter 15 -- Discipline In Love

Our Charge to Discipline our Children and the Necessity of Parental Control
Parenting Styles
Warmth and Affection Must Undergird Discipline
What is Discipline and What is Abuse?
How to Use Physical Discipline Effectively
Natural Consequences
Time Outs for Extroverts and Introverts
Food and Bed
In The Car
Parental Provocation
Fear Of Discipline
Threats
Parents Prone To Spoiling
Dealing With The Vicious Child
Sidestepping the Power Struggles With Your Tot
Two’s Are Terrific
The Outcome of Love And Healthy Disciple

Chapter 16 -- Nightmares, Monsters and Fears

My Child Sees Ghosts, Monsters, or Other Things That Go Bump In The Night
Acknowledgment and Empowerment: Jesus gives us victory over darkness! What Your Child Can Do
Acknowledgement and Empowerment: What Parents Can Do
Night Time Prayers for Little Folk (and big folk too)

Part 5: Protection for Your Child

Chapter 17 -- Babysitters and Taking a Break From Your Kids

Guidelines for Finding a Safe Babysitter
Guidelines for the Babysitter
BabyCam or SitterCam?
Debriefing with Jr. After the Babysitter Goes Home
Other Babysitter Issues and Options of Note

 

Chapter 18 -- The Over Protective Parent

The Risks and Results of being Over-Protective

Chapter 19 -- Emotional Protection for Your Child

From Divorced Parents that Don’t Get Along
From Other Disasters, Kids Don’t Need to Know Everything
From Toxic or Destructive Family Members
From Your Marital Conflicts

Chapter 20 -- Child Abuse or Child Abduction: A Parent’s Worst Nightmare

Equipping your child without fear: What Every Parent Needs to Know About How Abusers Choose Their Victims
Hearing the Voice of God When Mom and Dad Aren’t Around
The Kinds of Prayers God Answers for Children
What to Pray if Your Child Goes Missing

Part 6: Temper and Tantrums: Dealing Humanely with Our Humanity

Chapter 21 -- Tantrums, Whining, and Other Annoying Stuff

All About Tantrums: Taming The Ugly Side of Humanity
Dealing With Screeching, Screaming, and Whining.
Car Travel with Preschoolers & Preschoolers
Potty Mouth, What They Picked Up At Preschool

Chapter 22 -- When You Know You’re About To Blow Your Stack

First Rule of Parenthood: Thou Shalt Protect Thy Child From Thyself!
Ensuring the Safety of Your Child From Your Fury Over Objects
Ensuring the Safety of Your Child In An Emergency Situation
My Scariest Story
Ensuring the Safety of Your Child When There Is Chronic Problem
Consider The Seriousness Of Your Condition
Ensuring Your Own Safety
Blowing Your Stack Safely
Taking Care Of Yourself And Your Marriage

Chapter 23 -- When Kids Fight, The Nature of Man

It’s A Choice You Make
Fruit Are Grown
Sibling Rivalry and Family Dynamics
Sibling Rivalry and Conflict
Conflicts With Other Kids
Hurt Begets Hurt
Hungry, Thirsty, Tired?
Teaching Conflict Resolution to Tots
Know How Your Children Are Behaving When You Aren’t Around

Chapter 24 -- Parental Self-Awareness of Mental Well Being

Depression and Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Issues From Your Family of Origin
Issues From Your Victimization
Effects of Mental Health on Parenting
The Good News!

Part 7: Help and Healing for Your Child

Chapter 25 -- Grandparents

Cultural Considerations
Practical Guidelines For Parents and Grandparents
The Blessing of Grandparents
Divorce, Separated, Single-Parent
Helping You Child and Their Grandparents Enjoy Each Other’s Company
“In The Olden Days” v. “What The Experts Say”
Working Out The Kinks With Your Preschoolers

Chapter 26 -- My Child Has Been Traumatized, What Now?

Potential Signs and Symptoms of Victimization in Children
What Has Happened To My Child’s World?
Providing The Setting For Your Child To Tell You When They’ve Been Hurt
Leading Your Child Through Inner Healing With Jesus
Dealing with Courts and Lawyers

Appendixes

Appendix 1 -- Babysitter Package
Appendix 2 -- Feeling Words
Appendix 3 -- Warning Signs for Depression and Generalized Anxiety Disorder
Appendix 4 -- Finding a Counselor
Appendix 5 -- Resources for Parents
Appendix 6 -- A Brief Glossary