Food for Thoughtful Parenting

Food for Thoughtful Parenting by Nina Coslov and Tara Keppler is a fantastic book written for Classics, Organic Structures and Smart Structures. Why? It’s in a quick and easy list form and nobody loves their lists like those folks. But, all personality types with young children need parenting advice books that are quick reads. This book fits that bill and is chock full of unique, great advice. There’s something in it for everyone.

I’m always astounded at 100 page parenting books. Who with young children has time to read a 100 pages of advice?? I want authors to give me the nitty gritty in a concise 10 page format. If publishers think parents won’t spend $20 for a 10 page book then they’re sorely mistaken. In fact, it’s why PixieBooks — they’re coming PixiePeeps, they’re coming — are short, concise and to the point. Who has time to read a 100 page advice book, not me and it’s one of the reasons I love Food for Thoughtful Parenting.

Nina, a Classic Structure, and Tara, a Classic Freedom but possibly an Organic Structure, have bucked this onerous publishing trend with their short, concise book brimming with “Duh!”-level, ingenious tips. The authors put together 12 lists for new parents and young families that are thoughtful parenting tips. They also weave in these amazing personal vignettes that I thoroughly enjoyed.

The book will be most helpful to more structured types — Classics, Organic Structures and Smart Structures — but everyone else will get something out of this book because no matter who you are, it’s overwhelming becoming a parent. We loved one of their first tips, which is the importance of finding your own way. There isn’t one best way to parent. You need to find your own groove. As an Organic Freedom, Katie loved the book and said that she felt as if she discovered many of the tips on her own when her children were wee little ones. But I — buttoned up, Classic Freedom that I am — found the advice rather eye opening. Plus my son is still two and a half so I’m still relatively new at all of this parenting stuff. Tara Keppler and Nina Coslov

As a Classic, I’m great at routines, schedules and teaching my son the “essential” things in life such as using cutlery, putting on his coat etc. But, Food for Thoughtful Parenting reminded me that parenting shouldn’t be all work and no play AND that you can mix the two with what they call “Puppetshowing it” — animating objects to make whatever you’re doing more fun – Duh!. Or Breakfast for dinner – my mom used to do this when she didn’t feel like making dinner and as a kid, I LOVED it. Duh!

The book gave me an energy boost as a parent. It reminded me to have more fun. Parenting comes with a lot of responsibility and stress but it can come with even more fun and hilarity if you let it. So, the other day, Ted and I were bored — stuck inside due to arctic temperatures — and I decided to show Ted how to have a pillow fight. Obviously, you could go through life without needing to learn this skill but should you? 

The book helped me re-engage the fun, kid side of my brain. Tara and Nina remind the more structured of us to have more fun parenting. Duh!

Originally published February 7, 2011.