However, when I first looked into my oldest daughters eyes and played with her tiny fingers I realized that I wanted to be the best mom ever. I realized that my mom probably felt the same way looking at me…and I realized that there were things I didn’t know and needed to learn.

Looking back I can tell you that I have not been the best mom ever. I have, however, tried very hard to educate myself on what good parenting really way and I also tried to be myself. After all, if God had wanted my kids raised by someone else He would have given them to another family, right?

So I read a lot of parenting books. I have some particular favorites but the ones I love best of all and have proven over and over to be the most helpful, the most insightful, and have the greatest effect on my parenting skills are the Mrs. Pigglewiggle books.

You have never heard of Mrs. Pigglewiggle? Seriously?

She is a fictional character that lives in an upsde down house. She helps neighborhood moms deal with discipline issues in a heartwarming and comical manner. And, she loves kids, which is the best prerequisite of all. So, how can I learn parenting techniques from a juvenile fiction book? Easy.

I look for ways to apply her techniques in real life situations! You can learn something from anything! I will be sharing some of Mrs. PiggleWiggle’s best disciplinary tips in another post.

If you have never read the books I encourage you to do so. Read them to your kids! They will love them and you will get more out of them than you thought you could. I guarantee it.

image: sxc photoshopping by marye audet

Post from: Blisstree

My Favorite Parenting Book

From Supernanny.com Kadi and Daniel Prescott have a full house; seven kids ranging from 1 to 8 years old. Kadi is desperate to be the best mom she can – but her abandonment at age 13 by her father is stopping her from getting close to her children. She doesn’t know how to cope with 7-year-old Daniel’s ADHD and gives daughter Marli, 8, so much to do that Jo reckons the little girl is in danger of becoming ‘mini-mom’. Can Supernanny help Kadi come to terms with her past and bridge the emotional gap with her children?

You can watch the trailer here. Seriously, Kadi has 7 kids bouncing off the walls and Supernanny says, I don’t think this mom is enjoying motherhood right now. No kidding.

I watch Supernanny with my kids. When we first started watching my then 3-year-old daughter was shocked at the behavior of the two kids on the show. Those are some bad girls, Mommy, she said.

I grabbed that teachable moment and I’m still hanging on. We talk about whatever issues arise on the show: why children shouldn’t go outside without telling their parents, why they shouldn’t hit, why they shouldn’t curse, why they should do their homework, why they should share.

Just as often my kids are shocked by the parents’ behavior. Did you see that dad just hit that baby on the head with a fork? That mother just put soap in her kid’s mouth! You would never do that! You’re the best mom ever!

It’s true, Supernanny makes my children appreciate my parenting skills. I may feel like smacking them in the mouth sometimes – but I don’t actually do it.

Watch Kadi on Wed. Heck, watch it with your kids, they’ll behave better and appreciate you more.

Post from: Blisstree

b5media’s Kadi on Supernanny