Emotional Life of the Toddler

Since reading this book, I have changed how I relate to my son (18 months)and it has been great! He has almost no tantrums anymore, he cooperates with me when I ask him to, and we are both A LOT happier together. I highly recommend this book!! It doesn't take very long to read and is definitely worth the time.


An absolute MUST have book for any parent of a toddler.   February 16, 1999
66 out of 68 found this review helpful

This book has been my bible, my friend, my support, and the best resource I have found to understanding my toddler. Alicia Lieberman's insights are remarkable. The wisdom I have gained from this book has made me a better mother. Lieberman leads you through the thought process and the emotional life of your toddler. Understanding "why" they are doing what they are doing gives you the freedom to let them be toddlers. It dispells the secret myth in your head that they are doing these crazy things to drive you nuts! Lieberman delivers this book with well researched information. The premise of her theories are backed up by many experts and studies. Following an attachment parenting theme allows for compassion for the toddler, and a emphasis on a secure base relationship between parent and child. Lieberman explains how children have different tempermant types, and how different parenting styles influence or undermine them. Each type of temperment is described in detail. Allowing an insight into each childs individual perspective on the world. Understanding this perspective helps you see where your child is coming from, and how to interact with them individually for a better relationship and a more secure child. I cannot recommend this book more highly. After reading this book I have a feeling of peace when dealing with my toddler as opposed to my dread when I bought it. Thank you Alicia Lieberman. This book will be my 1st birthday gift to everyone with a baby that I know! -Angela Maltman


Mother of twins   May 10, 2002
25 out of 26 found this review helpful

This book is unique. It is the only one available that talks to the inside world of the toddler: their frustations, their need to have you close but at the same time being independent. The book gives you practical advise to keep that in balance, never forgetting the individuality of your child. Having twin toddlers in the house I know this book has saved my sanity. There is a chapter that talks to the mother of a toddler, her challenges, her reality. I've never read anything that comprehensive. The book in general is easy to read and very well structured. It helped me make important decisions (i.e. take them to daycare or not). I recommend it highly.


Offers a unique insight for all Parents of Toddlers   April 27, 2006
Donna Ross (Woongarrah, NSW, Australia)
8 out of 9 found this review helpful

I loved this title. The reason I bought it was to try to gain some insight into my own 3yr old son's shyness and it certainly gave me a clear way to help him (and I) manage and even enjoy, that behaviour. I've read many books on raising toddlers in the past and this one is written from the unique perspective of the toddler's emotional world. I personally cannot name another parenting/toddler title written in this way.

The author has obviously spent many hours, over many years, observing her subjects and this shows in this work. Whilst the author is a mother herself, I think readers may need to remember that this is a professional work by a leading child psychiatrist/psychologist and for the most part, is written from this point of view. None the less I still found it easy to read, but not necessarily from cover to cover. The layout is well suited to picking the book up when needed, and finding out what you want to know at the time. I found the chapters on Temperment Types (only 4 are explored at length in this work), The Shy Toddler (there's a chapter on Active Toddlers as well), Issues to Negotiate (including separation anxiety, toilet training and more)of most relevance to me. There's also a chapter devoted to the toddler in childcare and making the transition that bit easier for both parent and child, no matter what your child's temperament. The many anecdotes of the various toddler temperaments peppered throughout the book make for some light hearted reading along the way (why is "no!" the most used word of the toddler).

Ms Lieberman writes with both experience, compassion and empathy in the ways of her subjects, and for those of us trying to raise them. I use my copy as a referance quite regularly and will do for some time to come.


It All Became Clear...   March 11, 2008
Kris (Sydney, Australia)
3 out of 3 found this review helpful

I started reading this book by accident - I was supposed to be passing it from one friend to another but glanced through the first few pages while brushing my teeth one night and was absolutely hooked! After 15 minutes polishing the same molar, my amused husband finally asked what I'd found. I found a book that explained in friendly, easy-to-read sections a whole bagful of puzzling behaviour *my* child had been exhibiting. It also gave some suggestions of things I could do to help our days just run that little more smoothly, some of which have subsequently become part of our routine. But I found the explanations most important because I finally began to understand some of my son's daily trials and tribulations from his perspective. Suddenly it became easier to do what all the more experienced parents were always telling me and "just relax" because I knew (a) my son couldn't help himself - and that was exactly on schedule for his age (b) how to help him. Of course, as I relaxed, he relaxed and we now share a much richer, closer relationship. I've subsequently bought the book and have returned to it in puzzlement a couple of times and I've never been disappointed. There's so much information there that I didn't realize what I'd glossed over because my child had not yet reached the age when... If you want to know *why* your toddler is behaving as he/she is, this is a great book for you.