5 January 2009

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Jana Murphy, author of

The Secret Lives of Toddlers

Offers helpful advice to parents in a bimonthly column for KidsOutAndabout.com

Sometimes toddlers seem more like creatures unto themselves rather than small versions of human beings. Why do they do the things they do? We parents often find ourselves wandering in the maze of our toddler's psyche with few clues as to why our kids behave in such wonderful, terrible, fascinating ways. Rest assured, each of these mysteries has a purpose in our child's development, and Jana Murphy, author of The Secret Lives of Toddlers makes it all clear in her informative (and entertaining!) book. KidsOutAndAbout.com is thrilled that Ms. Murphy has agreed to provide her insights in a regular column.

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Columns

Why Do Toddlers Like to Read the Same Books Over and Over Again? - 11/5/04

Why Do Toddlers Play with the Box and Not with the Gift? - 11/19/04

Why Do Toddlers Love to Play Hide and Seek? - 1/29/05

What does your toddler do that mystifies, frustrates, or delights you? Here's your chance to check out other parents' stories, and share your own experiences of some of your child's "wonderful, terrible, fascinating" behavior. Click here to go to our "Parents Respond!" page.

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For more information about toddler behavior, check out the newly released book The Secret Lives of Toddlers: A Parent’s Guide to the Wonderful, Terrible, Fascinating Behavior of Children Ages 1 to 3, by Jana Murphy. With the help of over 30 pediatricians, child development experts, nutritionists, and sleep specialists, Jana’s book explains the reasons behind 52 common toddler behaviors and offers tips on how parents can make the most of the positive, downplay the awful, and enjoy this stage of parenting.

What readers and reviewers are saying about The Secret Lives of Toddlers:

“An ideal instruction guide for this age group.”
   --Lynn Wegner, M.D., of the American Academy of Pediatrics

“In a genre dominated by Drs. William Sears and T. Berry Brazelton, it's challenging for an author to find anything new to say about the health and development of young children. But Murphy's book possibly could become the new bible on all things terrible - as in the terrible twos.”
   --Cleveland Plain Dealer

“A must-read for parents of young children and anyone who loves ‘small’ people.”
   --Dr. Richard Carlson, author of Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff

“Filled with questions that will make you laugh and answers that will have you devouring each page for advice.”
   --Cindy Krischer Goodman, The Miami Herald

“Where oh where was this informative, outstanding book when my children were toddlers?”
   --Shirley P. Johnson, Midwest Book Reviews

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To contact Jana Murphy, email her at janamurphy@pplplc1.com.