Whispers Through Time: Communication Through the Ages and Stages of Childhood

This post is part of the Virtual Book Tour for the launch of L.R.Knost's newest release Whispers Through Time: Communication Through the Ages and Stages of Childhood. Click here if you’d like to check out all of the other stops on the tour!

Parenting for the Ages

Did you ever read something that made your heart smile?  L.R. Knost's book, "Whispers Through Time", is one of those reads that does it for me.  While my heart was smiling, my eyes blinked back tears only one page into the book.  The author penned a poem that greets you before you even get into the treasure that is her book.  The last paragraph of the poem gripped my heartstrings, as I prepare to launch my firstborn into the world when he leaves for college in six short weeks:

"I wish you enough joy and laughter in the present
to fill the silence that comes too soon
when life grows quiet
and rooms grow still
and your heart beats in constant prayer
for the once-small feet that now choose their own path
guided by the whisper of their childhood."

L.R. Knost

A Kinder, More Gentle Approach

L.R. Knost approaches parenting from a kinder, more gentle approach, which is steeped in research and best-practices in early childhood development.  It's the approach I'd recommend, if you wish to raise kind, compassionate, ethical and skillful adults.  Knost's approach is the shortest distance between the developmentally expected behaviors of childhood and socially-responsible kids who can self-regulate, identify coping strategies and feel like effective agents in their own lives.  It's just that good!  And it applies to kids from toddlerhood through the teen years. 

Kindness is Not Weakness

I once heard a very wise quote that went something like this, "Don't confuse kindness for weakness."  That quote is paramount when thinking about an approach to parenting that doesn't rely on punishment, yelling, time-outs or consequence-based ways to "teach" and raise kids.  The approach recommended by Knost is relationship-based and, without question, one of the most powerful ways known to raise extraordinary human beings.  When we break free from a punitive stance, we find in its place a more efficacious and uplifting way to leave the future in better hands...the hands of our children.  Responding appropriately and attentively to children's needs and developmentally expected behaviors prepares them for the real world in an accelerated manner.  It's pretty simple, really.

Expert Advice from a Friendly Neighbor

Imagine that you live next door to an early childhood and parenting expert whom you could reach out to during every bend in your parenting path, or each bump you hit in the road.  You could connect with that neighbor even in the wee hours when you have no idea what to do next.  When frustrated, irritated, irate, hopeless, fatigued, weary, and plain fed-up, you could reach out to that neighbor and she would give you just the right dose of fortitude to march on and know that you are walking an important and meaningful path.  That friend could single-handedly put a spin on things that would give you the strength to forge ahead, moving effortlessly through the challenge at hand, and deliver you safely to the other side.  That neighbor is L.R. Knost and her approach is available 24/7 in "Whispers Through Time".  This Little Hearts Handbook is your go-to guide for both every day parenting, and when the going gets tough.  Best of all, it fits easily in a diaper bag or purse, so you can literally take Knost with you everywhere you go! And Knost knows. She knows a lot.  It's not just academic, either.  Knost has lived and breathed every one of her words while raising her own six children.  Since two of her children are grown and highly successful, I'd say that her approach is one to emulate.  But that's not the only reason.  I know this approach to work based on thousands and thousands of hours of direct work with families in therapy, as well as my own research on the subject. 

No Hurries, No Worries

A gentle parenting approach may be foreign to some.  We live in a society that has a long history of believing that punishment is not only the preferred way, but the best way to raise decent human beings.  The majority of society and most public schools still operate from this perspective.  Based on everything I know, it is not the most effective way to change behavior.  Being fully present and teaching kids the proper skills to deal with distress, anger, feelings of upset and problematic situations is far more powerful and transformative.  Transitioning to this style of parenting may feel overwhelming, but not with Knost as a guide.  She patiently walks us through, in step-wise fashion, a month-by-month plan to switch gears, slow down and reap the full benefits that this approach promises. 

Get Knost's Book Today




We have a winner! 
After removing L.R. Knost from the lineup,
we had 21 contenders. 
Number 15, Judith Robinson, 
is our lucky lady of the night!

Judith, I need you to contact me via facebook, so
I can get your information for shipping!

Congratulations and thanks to
all who entered!  The book can be
purchased through Amazon.com,
for those interested.




Simply leave a comment below to get a free copy of "Whispers Through Time".  This is a ONE DAY event only.  Only comments left by 12:00 am 6/22/13 are eligible for the

View the Book Trailer




Best-selling parenting and children’s book author, L.R.Knost, is an independent child development researcher and founder and director of the advocacy and consulting group, Little Hearts/Gentle Parenting Resources. A mother of six, her children range from 25- years down to 25-months-old. Two Thousand Kisses a Day: Gentle Parenting Through the Ages and Stages and Whispers Through Time: Communication Through the Ages and Stages of Childhood are the first in her Little Hearts Handbooks series of parenting guides. The next book in the series, The Gentle Parent: Positive, Practical, Effective Discipline is due to be released November 2013. Other works by this award-winning author include the children's picture books A Walk in the Clouds, Petey’s Listening Ears, and the soon-to-be-released Grumpykins series for ages 2 to 6, which are humorous and engaging tools for parents, teachers, and caregivers to use in implementing gentle parenting techniques in their homes and schools.


Comments

Sister.Speaks said…
This book sounds like something I'd love to read. I'll buy it even if I don't win.
Unknown said…
Please can i get a copy of your book, i agree with so much of what i've read so far, what a fresh and uplifting view it provides for me as a kindy teacher.
Unknown said…
It's hard to be the kind of parent I want to be. I think this book could help me achieve it by keeping my grounded and helping me to teach through love and kindness. Yelling is easy - but ineffective and hurtful, I want to learn a better way. I would love to win this book!
Unknown said…
LOVE the trailer! Looking forward to reading this book and checking out the resources!
Unknown said…
This book sounds like a very important addition to my personal reading collection. I look firward to reading it.
Unknown said…
Not entering to win, lol, just stopping by to thank you for your amazing review and to wish everyone good luck in the contest! :)
Beth said…
I can already tell this book will have me in tears... the good kind though. (c;
Unknown said…
Would love to win this : )
Anonymous said…
I would love to have this resource as a parent and school counselor.
Unknown said…
Sounds like a great book. Where can it be purchased for those that dont win it?
Kaylee said…
It would be a really great opportunity to win this book. I have wanted to read her prior book and now this one as well, after it came out, but funds have not given me the chance to order it yet. I would be very grateful to read her insight and advice on how to be a more gentle parent. Thank you for the chance to win! :)
Unknown said…
I need to read this book! Would love to win a copy, but will go out and get it if I don't!

D. Sharp said…
This book sounds wonderful. I have an easy time being kind and gentle with my children when they are babies, but I have a much more difficult time when they reach about age 3 years. I think I book like this would be really useful to me!
Colleen76 said…
I really loved her first book. Gentle parenting is fairly new for me and I need all the resources and help I can get.
Zac's mommy said…
Sounds like an amazing book.
Unknown said…
The book sounds like a great help. Would love to win it.
Unknown said…
I want this book. I love the idea of gentle parenting. This book sounds amazing and I can't wait to read it.
Unknown said…
I have a daughter with Aspergers and Anxiety issues, I think this book could help a LOT with parenting her. Not just for me, but especially for my husband.
This entry is for Maria Aresco, who wishes to enter the contest, but does not have a Google+ account!

~Wendy

PS...Thanks to all of your for your responses. This book is not to be missed. Only one will win. The price is right, even if you are not a winner.
PPS...If anyone else does not have a Google+ account and wishes me to enter them, just leave a comment on my Kidlutions facebook wall by midnight!
Anonymous said…
I would love to have a free copy of this book. I believe it would be an amazing resource and tool to use on a daily basis and implement with the population I serve in occupational therapy sessions. I know these children and their families can learn and grow so much from your knowledge and techniques. Your work would continue to blossom with each and every child that was impacted through this book that would allow the children to learn behavior modification. My passion is to help people in all areas of their lives that's why I chose the Occupational Therapy profession. Please consider me for this free edition. Thank you!
This entry is for Ashely Moreno from our facebook page, who had trouble getting her comment to go through!

~Wendy
fiteach said…
As my toddler is learning to assert herself with the word "No", it seems like a book I should read!
My 28 months old is consistently challenging me, this book would really help me !
Unknown said…
Your book made me laugh and cry!My own children were brought uo within a fairly rigd household and i realise from your comments how much i imposed my will on them! I am now a grandmother to an amazing little two year old who lives in Orewa with his amazing parents. They have both embraced the model of parenting recognised by your book and I know that it is sometimes hard. I used the same methods when I stayed with them and could see the confident, loving and much loved little boy they were rearing. I would love a copy of your book for them, for the times when life seems too difficult. Thank you for sharing your amazing thoughts and wisdom.

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