4.17

4

Nov 11, 2017

A helpful and informative guide to all the developmental milestones and issues a parent will come across with their child from age 1-2.

3

Jan 05, 2019

It is a very detailed book covering all areas of interest. There is nothing unexpected as advice. It is all common sense. Though, it helps to confirm what is normal.

5

Oct 29, 2017

I was so happy with What to Expect the First Year that I was a little concerned that I didn't have that reference any more... so I was happy to read this book which was a little more laid back than its predecessor, organized by topic instead of monthly milestones. It gave a lot of valuable information on milestones and what to watch out for, as well as a comprehensive guide to childhood illnesses and injuries. Of course now I am super panicked that my house is not child proofed enough, but that I was so happy with What to Expect the First Year that I was a little concerned that I didn't have that reference any more... so I was happy to read this book which was a little more laid back than its predecessor, organized by topic instead of monthly milestones. It gave a lot of valuable information on milestones and what to watch out for, as well as a comprehensive guide to childhood illnesses and injuries. Of course now I am super panicked that my house is not child proofed enough, but that can be remedied and is probably a good reminder. ...more

5

Jul 13, 2018

I was a huge fan of the "first in the series," if you will. I read it cover to cover. This time around I still read cover to cover but I barely finished before my daughter's second birthday. I'd highly recommend treating this as more of a reference manual: "Oh god, she's whining again, what are we supposed to do?" It was comforting, though, to read and re-read and re-read the section on language delay and be reminded over and over again that kids develop at different speeds. All parents need I was a huge fan of the "first in the series," if you will. I read it cover to cover. This time around I still read cover to cover but I barely finished before my daughter's second birthday. I'd highly recommend treating this as more of a reference manual: "Oh god, she's whining again, what are we supposed to do?" It was comforting, though, to read and re-read and re-read the section on language delay and be reminded over and over again that kids develop at different speeds. All parents need something different from their parenting books, I suppose.

I won't be continuing in the series. I think at this point I'll rely on web advice and parent-to-parent, but I don't regret the time I invested in this book.
...more

4

Sep 27, 2017

Read ahead!

This was a great book that I always found very helpful in alleviating anxiety. Reading about things as normal that you're bothered by from new parent ignorance is really calming and reassuring. My only regret was I was often behind in reading the material relevant to the month of age. I would then get to a key point and think, "man I wish I would have known this a couple months ago!" The only thing that keeps me from giving it a 5 star is that I wish the author would have had more Read ahead!

This was a great book that I always found very helpful in alleviating anxiety. Reading about things as normal that you're bothered by from new parent ignorance is really calming and reassuring. My only regret was I was often behind in reading the material relevant to the month of age. I would then get to a key point and think, "man I wish I would have known this a couple months ago!" The only thing that keeps me from giving it a 5 star is that I wish the author would have had more references supporting the assertions. ...more

4

Sep 29, 2017

This book was great. The only reason I didn't give it five stars was that it was not as helpful as the "expecting" and "first year" books, which was not the fault of the authors. In the aforementioned books one can follow along as baby develops while also using it as a reference book. This version does not follow development, but rather divides chapters into sections on topics such as eating or movement. I used it more as a reference guide. I would recommend it to a parent of a toddler.

4

Apr 14, 2019

One of the unfortunate things about moving past the first year is that none of the toddler books are organized month-by-month, but tend to be by subject. Oh well.

This book was and will be pretty useful. I've just finished reading/skimming it straight through, but I expect to reference it often for the rest of the year. It's helped confirm some of the stuff I was already doing and given me some pointers about dealing with my son's eating and playing.

3

Jun 05, 2019

Finally, finished another book that I've been reading off and on. Definitely another book that takes some time to get through as you read it as they get older. It helps with the milestones and helps to give you a heads up on possibly what's coming and what to expect. I very much liked having this book as a super helpful resource. Definitely helpful for new parents.

5

Sep 26, 2018

I read about three quarters of this cover to cover, but unlike What to Expect When You're Expecting I think this is more of a, looking things up when you have questions or want to learn more about something, kind of book. I'm sure I'll continue to use it as my little one heads towards the end of his second year.

This is an extremely helpful, good to have around book.

4

Nov 30, 2018

I really like the set up of this book. The first in the series went through each month and what to expect. This book is set up with different sections making it easy to read through it all once, and then go back to certain chapters as needed.

3

Apr 06, 2019

I liked that there was no timeline for everything. I just read what I needed or what my cutie acted like/did and then I was good. Information easily accessible and navigation was a breeze to just read what you needed.

3

Jul 26, 2018

Commonsensical, organized well, comprehensive in scope. As with the First Year book in this series, I like that the pages of the “what to do for injury or illness” chapter are outlined in grey for easy locating.

5

Mar 31, 2018

A nice overview of what to expect in the 12-24 months. A very useful section on common ailments and when to call the doctor.

2

Mar 11, 2018

Definitely don’t read it cover to cover. There’s a few useful text boxes about common developmental milestones and how they range. But a lot of it reads like ways to assure worried suburban parents.

3

Aug 09, 2019

A few good tidbits, but not nearly as helpful as the first two books in the series.

2

Sep 28, 2019

I absolutely loved the pregnancy and year one book. This one unfortunately just wasn't as good. Nothing I didn't know. Added to my DNF shelf as I never read it cover to cover.

4

Jun 27, 2017

Comprehensive, as usual. Very informative. I like that it was grouped by theme rather than by age.

2

May 07, 2019

I found this the least helpful book of the series. Here’s a synopsis - be patient, stay calm, it’s a phase and will pass.

4

Dec 05, 2019

Very resourceful book. I will probably look back on things for reference.

5

Nov 17, 2018

I love this series, and I’m sad because I think this is the last one. I wish it went through age 18! (Maybe 22?)

4

Aug 21, 2018

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. adult, children, two-year-old, advice

5

Jan 03, 2017

This was a helpful book. I liked that it was just set up in topics rather than month by month like The First Year. That was helpful then, but it was much easier to just focus on one subject at a time at this point. Very useful info for this first-time mom!

3

Feb 07, 2014

Thank goodness we're no longer breaking things down month by month because that was kind of driving me crazy with the What to Expect First Year book ("My baby is...doing that! Whew! Oh crap, but she's not doing that other thing you say she should be doing. Is my baby normal or not? What does next month say??"). Instead we have sections like Feeding, Behavior, Disciplining Your Toddler, etc.

Some things still stand out as being overly cautious to me, and I really want to see the studies that back Thank goodness we're no longer breaking things down month by month because that was kind of driving me crazy with the What to Expect First Year book ("My baby is...doing that! Whew! Oh crap, but she's not doing that other thing you say she should be doing. Is my baby normal or not? What does next month say??"). Instead we have sections like Feeding, Behavior, Disciplining Your Toddler, etc.

Some things still stand out as being overly cautious to me, and I really want to see the studies that back up this: "[A] 2-hour-per-day TV habit translates to a 20 percent greater risk of an attention disorder." Whhhhhaaaat? Way to scare the crap out of me, Heidi Murkoff. But other parts of the book were really helpful and soothing in its common sense. Like how to shop with a toddler! Something I didn't think I needed to read until the day my toddler was running up and down aisles to get to the giant inflatable Santa at the front of Wal-Mart, ignoring me completely and my pleas that we had to get our shopping done before everything melted. And then we got to the car with our shopping done and she didn't want to get in her car seat for 10 minutes. Ahhhh.

My favorite part of the book? Pointing out that the word "discipline" gets its roots from the Latin "to teach". Something simple, but it made me think about my relationship with my 13-year-old stepdaughter, not just my toddler. ...more

5

Oct 30, 2016

Well, the book is great. Specially in the sense that it is not like a "manual". It is just a collection of an expert's notes based on experience. The writer will keep telling you that the best rule is that "there is no rule" and that every toddler is unique in his/her own way. These sort of books just draws a VEEEEEEEEEEEEERY broad line for a mother.

HOWEVER!

Dear mothers, it is too late to read :-)

Dear mothers to be, read quickly before you have your baby. Once you have it you will find it very Well, the book is great. Specially in the sense that it is not like a "manual". It is just a collection of an expert's notes based on experience. The writer will keep telling you that the best rule is that "there is no rule" and that every toddler is unique in his/her own way. These sort of books just draws a VEEEEEEEEEEEEERY broad line for a mother.

HOWEVER!

Dear mothers, it is too late to read :-)

Dear mothers to be, read quickly before you have your baby. Once you have it you will find it very difficult to keep your pace. Just like I did, you will most probably read about different stages after you have already passed them! :-D

If you really want to make use of this book and its similars, just read them as soon as you think that "one day" you will become a mother. You will grasp the logic, and keep it in your library as a reference. Once you need it, you will know how to find your way into the book to the point of concern.

For me, I started reading, and ended up just skimming through so that I make sure I do not miss an important point that I still need to learn about!

P.S: I am writing this review for the "Second Year" book of this series, while my son has turned two yesterday! :-) I feel the need to read "What to expect, Toddler Years" but I have the feeling that I will end up in the same situation! LOL ...more

5

Jul 17, 2013

The top line: If you're a fan of the month-by-month parenting book organization, this isn't the book for you.

Me? I prefer to dig in and read cover to cover, rather than parse out a chapter or so a month. The topical organization (e.g., full chapters about traveling with a toddler, sleepy time, emergency care) provides more information on each subject in one place. No more thumbing through the index! And, yes, there are toddler timelines and developmental milestones, too! They are just rolled The top line: If you're a fan of the month-by-month parenting book organization, this isn't the book for you.

Me? I prefer to dig in and read cover to cover, rather than parse out a chapter or so a month. The topical organization (e.g., full chapters about traveling with a toddler, sleepy time, emergency care) provides more information on each subject in one place. No more thumbing through the index! And, yes, there are toddler timelines and developmental milestones, too! They are just rolled into the first chapter.

If you read What to Expect When You're Expecting, you may be concerned about one thing: an alarmist perspective. Never fear! The content and advice seem to be broadly applicable, not sensational or exceptional. For example, with missed milestones, Murkoff advises parents speak with the pediatrician, but keep in mind that children develop at different speeds--excel in one area and then play catch up in the next. That is not to say she does not cover difficult subjects such as emergency care and developmental disorders, but the advice is practical, and the tone is compassionate. The "When to Call the Doctor" section is particularly useful--this alone is worth having the book on hand.

Bottom line: this may be my new go-to gift for 1st birthdays! ...more