How to Raise a Happy Child (plus a giveaway!)

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

Have you ever looked at your child and wondered, "What the heck am I doing?"  For me, that's almost a daily occurrence.  Babies aren't born with a how-to guide strapped to their back (Thank goodness for that, I'd rather not give birth to a book!) and each child is different.  Parenting styles differ from person to person, and generation to generation - so if you ask for advice, prepare to be overwhelmed with "You're doing it wrong!"  I'll be the first to admit, parenting is not easy.  Honestly, it's the toughest "job" I've ever encountered.  The most rewarding, sure, but definitely not easy.

And then you'll meet a person who just seems to be a natural, someone who can look at a kid and connect with them on a level that most people cannot.  The book How to Raise a Happy Child (and Be Happy Too) climbs into the mind of a "kid whisperer" and lets you see just how one of these naturals think.  

Taryn Voget is the co-founder of the Everyday Genius Institute and the  author of six different books on strategies of genius - which led her to want to work with the Kid Whisperer.  Heather Criswell is a kid whisperer, a woman who thinks on another level completely when it comes to raising children.  With 25 years experience working with kids (more than 30,000 of them!) she uses this book to share her unique parenting approach and wisdom.  Together, these two women put together a parenting manual like no other; to let you question your parenting abilities, learn new techniques, and discover how to raise happy children.

How to Raise a Happy Child (and Be Happy Too) offers step-by-step scenarios and techniques to getting the results you want with your child - without using the word "no" or giving time-outs, punishments, or rewards.  It's a whole new spin on parenting, with successful tips for bedtime, manners, sharing, fighting, lying, temper tantrums, and a whole lot more!

What I found most helpful was a scenario in the book that lays out sibling fighting.  With an argument between two children, and a race to tell Momma who is at fault, what would you do?  Instead of taking sides, doling out a punishment, or simply ignoring the bickering, this book gives you a detailed way for you to guide your children into working things out on their own.  Something that I really want to try doing with my kids, since sibling rivalry is at it's highest lately.

For more information, you can check out their website, Raise a Happy Child.  You can also find them on Facebook and Twitter. 

How would you like to win your very own copy of How to Raise a Happy Child (and Be Happy too)?  One of you fabulous readers have a chance to do just that!  This contest will be a little different, as I would rather hear your best parenting tips instead of dealing with a giveaway form.  So here are the rules:

To enter to win a copy of this book, comment below and tell me - What are your best parenting tips/techniques?  What advice would you give to a Momma without a clue?

All comments must be relevant in order for your entry to count.  For an additional entry, you can follow me on Facebook and/or Twitter and leave a comment if you do. All entries will be verified and a winner will be chosen January 5th at midnight.  Open to US residents only.  Winner will be emailed at the end of the contest and will have 24 hours to reply or another winner will be chosen.  Not affiliated, endorsed, or otherwise associated with Facebook.

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.