I ran into this book, Yardsticks: Children in the Classroom Ages 4-14 : A Resource for Parents and Teachers (Paperback), by Chip Wood sitting by itself on a clearance table. After perusing the 8 yr. old section, I figured it was cheap enough that it couldn’t hurt to buy it. Now, I would have paid twice the retail price! This book was NONE TOO SOON, I tell ya! Slobo and I have been at our wits end to figure out where these burgeoning personalities were headed off to this month! I’ve heard daily, for a month, Slobo’s frustrating “I Don’t Know What Else To DO!” plea!

How often do you hear: “Nobody wants to play with me” “I’m Bored” “He keeps teasing me!!!” Then suddenly “Come-on so-and-so, let’s go such-and-such.” Two seconds later, you hear giggling and plotting - Take a deep sigh - knowing that a second or two later, #3 with come out in tears. They found something to ease their boredom! Child 3 then gets deeply hurt, because the brother that loved him uncoditionally this morning now seems like his worst enemy! How do you explain that to him? Or reprimand the other two in a way that you get more than a quick “Okay - Sowwy”.

I used to think when children behaved this way, it was because they needed more attention from their parents or caregivers. After going under this theory for several months - I can easily state - It has nothing to do with it!!! When you hear, “It’s just their age” beleive it! That doesn’t mean you have to sit back and let nature take it’s course. But this book gave me several ideas for what path they came from and which one they are headed for. It helps you to lead them literally ‘out of temptation’! Just this week, I’ve been able to head all three off for the first time all year! If Chip Wood were here, I’d send him a lifetime supply of blackberry jam!

This book, tho small and concise, is bigger than the “What to Expect When You’re Expecting” series. Picking up where alot of that left off! I highly recommend this book!!!

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