26 May New books for Parents

Why First-Borns Rule the World and Later-borns want to change it

by Michael Grose, published by Penguin Life, p/b RRP$34.99 (pub. June 1, 2021)

Originally published as Why First-Borns Rule the World and Last-borns want to change it, 2003 this is fully revised and republished and updated with a slightly different title to reflect the changing times. Why is it that children in a family can share the same gene pool, a similar socio-economic environment and experience similar parenting styles yet have fundamentally different personalities, interests and even different careers as adults? Birth order!

At last, an updated look at how parents, carers and teachers can adapt to the new norms of birth order. Families can come in all configurations but birth order tends to be fixed. Even multiples are born generally in ‘an order’. How often have you heard twins say I am the eldest (even if its only by a few minutes!)

In his new book Michael Grose has re-looked at the implications; the characteristics; the strategies and the understanding of the birth-order theory to highlight how parents and others can use this information to help raise each child as an individual. He uses, as an up-to-date example, Prince Harry’s relationship with his family (still ever-changing). He’s the second born and also the baby of his family and has developed all the typical characteristics of the second born and youngest. In his particular family, and even though he has the same gene pool as his brother Prince William, his ‘job’ as a royal has moved well down the line of inheritance giving him the chance to become the rebel so typical of his situation.

This new edition includes new information such as:

• The demise of the middle child: In the 18 years since the first edition in 2003, families with children have continued to shrink in size, leading to there being very few middle children
• The problem with first-borns: With an increase in the number of first-borns (nearly 50% of the population in the developed world), known to have traits such as perfectionism and anxiety, there’s a need for mental health awareness
• Birth order for teachers: How teachers can use birth order in classrooms

How To Raise a Man 

by Megan de Beyer, published by Hachette, p/b RRP$32.99

In this era of #metoo, it’s evident that something is going wrong in the way men progress from childhood into adulthood, and few realise how critical the role of the purposeful and emotionally empowered mother is in a boy’s journey to maturity. Specialist parent psychologist, Megan de Beyer facilitates the popular course ‘Strong Mothers Strong Sons’ and has written an essential book How To Raise a Man.

She looks at your parenting style, communications and how parents can help raise their sons to be the kind of adult they would like to see.

Read extracts on teenagers here; on communication with teen sons here and your parenting style here

From Boys to Men

by Maggie Dent, published by Macmillan Australia. p/b RRP $34.99

There is a sense of urgency, says Maggie Dent, for the need to raise our boys to be happy, healthy men. As a former teacher, counsellor and mother of 4 boys, Maggie certainly has become a ‘boy champion’, much needed in our current culture. In her new book, ‘from boys to men‘, Maggie provides lots of common-sense advice, helpful tips and techniques to help parents move through adolescence in particular. What parent wouldn’t love to know how to get their lazy, unmotivated 18-year-old son off the couch! Her book provides sound advice on how to stay calm and:

• Communicate effectively and defuse conflict
• ‘Unstick’ an unmotivated son
• Help them to foster healthy relationships
• Navigate technology and the digital world

Reviewed here

Everyday Resilience: Helping Kids Handle Friendship Drama, Academic Pressure and the Self-doubt of Growing Up.

by Michelle Mitchell, published by Big Sky Publishing, p/b RRP $24.99.

The way our children handle ‘small knocks’ is crucial, says Michelle Mitchell, as it will be the foundation for much bigger things. It’s during the small knocks that young people develop their response patterns to life’s future pressures.

Suitable for parents of children 6 – 17 years old. This book is available in all good bookstores

Reviewed here

Lastly, we have a compilation developed during lockdown:

The Book of Hopes. Words and Pictures to Comfort, Inspire and Entertain

edited by Katherine Rundell, with contributions from over 100 children’s authors and illustrators.

Published by Bloomsbury Children’s Books, h/b RRP $24.99

Originally published online, the hardback, gift edition was published to raise money for the British National Health System (NHS). It’s a great resource for parents, teachers and children with over 110 authors and illustrators providing short stories and illustrations to give children everywhere inspiration and hope during troubled times.

Parts of this collection is available to download free on the UK  National Literacy Trust website.