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  • Elevating Child Care

  • A Guide to Respectful Parenting
  • Written by: Janet Lansbury
  • Narrated by: Janet Lansbury
  • Length: 3 hrs and 30 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (141 ratings)

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Elevating Child Care

Written by: Janet Lansbury
Narrated by: Janet Lansbury
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Publisher's Summary

Janet Lansbury's advice on respectful parenting is quoted and shared by millions of listeners worldwide. Inspired by the pioneering parenting philosophy of her friend and mentor, Magda Gerber, Janet's influential voice encourages parents and child-care professionals to perceive babies as unique, capable human beings with natural abilities to learn without being taught; to develop motor and cognitive skills; communicate; face age appropriate struggles; initiate and direct independent play for extended periods; and much more. Once we are able to view our children in this light, even the most common daily parenting experiences become stimulating opportunities to learn, discover, and to connect with our child. Elevating Child Care is a collection of 30 popular and widely discussed articles from Janet's website that focus on some of the most common infant/toddler issues: eating, sleeping, diaper changes, communication, separation, focus and attention span, creativity, boundaries, and more. Eschewing the quick-fix tips and tricks of popular parenting culture, Janet's insightful philosophy lays the foundation for a closer, more fulfilling parent/child relationship, and children who grow up to be authentic, confident, successful adults.

©2014 Janet Lansbury (P)2014 Janet Lansbury

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What listeners say about Elevating Child Care

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Just read the blog

I was expecting something a little more than a compilation of blog posts, but that's what this book is. There hasn't even been any minor editing to remove unnecessary duplication/explanation.
The content is good, well explained and applicable, bit save yourself the money and just read her blog and/or listen to her podcast - you'll get the same information and more that way.

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parenting is a road to personal growth

Janet's voice is so kind, the information presented in such a personable way, and her parenting approach : Wow. Mega Common sense, plus so much more. Somehow she is so spot on.... I also listened to Magda Gerber "your confident baby" which almost goes a little too deep and nitty gritty, which might be overwhelming for some. Every parent should listen to this book, regardless of their children's age. It even inspired me to observe (and hopefully change) my adult relationships. If you are someone interested in personal growth and view your parenting as a road to such, this book is not to be missed!

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Must read for new parents

I listen to Janet's podcast so I'm already familiar with the RIE method but this book does contain some great reminders on respectful parenting. I love the story Janet tells about herself and her own relationship with her mother - such a great addition to the book.

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Amazing book

Highly recommend. I listen to it again and again when I feel like I need a course correction. It always helps me. Reminds me to slow down and remember what’s really important. Love it.

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Need more practical examples

I liked the book and I really appreciate the respectful approach, but sometimes felt like I was doing all wrong, and I wasn’t sure how to get to what Janet is saying. I wish the book had more practical examples.

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Inspiring

Rings so true! So many inspirational and innovative ideas and concepts. Yet basic art the same time.

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Gave me Hope

I love this book! It really changed my outlook on parenting and infants/ toddlers in general. It’s an approach that maintains strong boundaries yet fosters a deep sense of attachment between parent and child. The key to this approach is empathy and understanding. Understanding where your child is in their development and being able to go though it with them; let them be who they are in the moment without judgement and allowing them to express their genuine emotions without giving in.
It’s a great listen!

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must read

Such a wonderful book, every parent should read or listen too. Take the time, you wont regret it!

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must for all parents

Her voice is just perfect, new to the audio books word, but this book was perfect.
I learnt a lot, i know this book helps me to be s better parent.

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Life Changing

My only disappointment is that I read this 2 years after my son was born. Still, the practical advice and guidance Janet gives in this book has demonstrated massive positive change in our household and we will never look back.

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  • Carolyn
  • 2016-04-20

Fluffy but Useful

This is not an ask-an-expert parenting book. Janet Lansbury is a sort-of-used-to-be-famous disciple of Magda Gerber, an infant development expert who died in 2007. Lansbury doesn't claim to be an expert, but she is a wholehearted believer in the RIE approach to respectful parenting and has years of experience teaching this method to other parents. This book is almost entirely about infants and toddlers, not older children.

In principle, RIE is about respecting children from birth as whole people and letting them develop and learn on their own terms and in their own time. I agree with this principle, but, like any parenting ideology, it inevitably gets taken too far, like when Lansbury is very critical of parents asking toddlers harmless questions like, "Where's your nose?" because, apparently, that creates performance anxiety...? And although it's nice in theory to ask an infant's permission to change their diaper, it's a little much to expect parents to never need to get through a diaper change with an active nine-month-old without a distraction like a toy or a song, or to constantly tell a newborn everything that is about to happen at all times. I also don't believe in never explicitly teaching children things. If you don't expose them to something, how are they supposed to know whether or not it interests them? The book also tells you to ignore your parenting instincts in favour of doing everything the RIE approach tells you, which in my opinion is more likely to make parents feel insecure and not genuine than it is to help them make good decisions for their kids.

That said, the majority of the advice is useful if you can manage to not take the sanctimonious parts too seriously. Messages for parents like "take care of yourself", "it's okay to let kids be frustrated", "you don't need to entertain your baby", and "boundaries are important and necessary, not mean" are all good and helpful things for parents to hear. Is some of it contrived? Sure. But the overall message is reassuring and surprisingly realistic. Your baby needs the freedom to explore, and it is completely reasonable to restrict their play areas with gates/fences/etc. to keep them safe. The vast majority of babies will roll, sit up, walk, talk, and toilet-train in their own time and focusing on median-based milestone timing is a recipe for unnecessary parent anxiety. Your baby doesn't need to be attached to you 24/7 to feel secure. Your toddler will thrive in a world with limits and natural consequences. Hovering and constantly intervening is not helpful and often actively undermines kids who are trying to develop social skills or learning to solve problems. Kids are happiest with simple toys and a safe play environment - they don't need noisy, over-complicated "educational" toys or fancy music classes to learn and grow. Take your cues from your child when making decisions about everything from mealtimes to conflicts with other children and don't rely on tricks or manipulative tactics to make them do what you want.

Lansbury, perhaps because she used to be an actor, is a very good narrator. Unlike many books read by the author, this one felt comfortable and natural.

I can't give this book five stars. It's definitely above average for a parenting book, but still a little judgmental and often not based on actual developmental science. However, it was much better than I expected and would be worth listening to again in the future.

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  • Joan Lin
  • 2016-03-31

Very Calming

I loved listening to this book, extremely calming, especially as a perfectionist first time mom.

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  • Mark Drucker
  • 2015-07-02

Very helpful if you are losing your s@%#t

This book and No Bad Parents are so very helpful. I've been stressed out and missing the point. I so appreciate Lansbury's books.

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  • .
  • 2016-04-07

Short & sweet

What did you love best about Elevating Child Care?


The book is like an experienced person telling you the things they wish they had known when they started. It sounds conversational, accessible, but packed with helpful tips that build on some founding principles and philosophies on child rearing.

This book is short, sweet, and to the point. Initially I debated whether I wanted to spend a book credit on this short book, I'm so glad I did. She could have easily fluffed the book with stories and anecdotes to make it a standard 8hr long listen, but I appreciate that she didn't.

Which character – as performed by Janet Lansbury – was your favorite?

The author did a great job of narrating this audiobook.

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  • Melissa Pacheco
  • 2016-02-25

Wish I had this book when my daughter was born!

I really like this approach and it works! there's a lot less yelling at my house and my cooperation from my 4 yr old daughter. I'd highly recommended this book to any mom!

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  • Jessica Tui Mark
  • 2015-10-07

Excellent Parenting Strategys

I love the RIE approach to raising babies, and Janet Lansbury is able to keep it simple but be thorough in her book. Audible books has made my sleepless nights much easier ;)

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  • nancydiazlem
  • 2015-06-26

A beautiful gift!

Janet Lansbury writes plainly and eloquently about the relationship between caregiver/parent and child. Through her vision of babies/children as whole people I've began the painful and life-changing process of updating my own outdated beliefs. I can begin to see a clearer path to a genuine, enduring connection with my little humans. This book is a gem that I wish I had before my three kids were born and one that I will continue to gift to new parents. Thank you, Janet!

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  • Georgia
  • 2021-09-29

I needed this.

I'm new to gentle parenting, and when I saw this audio book, I was excited. it meet all my needs, worries and concerns! Some of the things she said, I had to take a second to take in. I've never heard anything more REAL in my life. this is a must hear!

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  • Kevin Beal
  • 2017-12-28

Almost there

I love the emphasis on respect but don't agree about what respect looks like. for example, baby talk is play, not demeaning.

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  • Anthony
  • 2016-04-08

Best parenting advice out there

Would you listen to Elevating Child Care again? Why?

This is such a deeply empathetic approach to child care, it actually made me reflect on my relationships with everyone else around me. Not only that, but implementing these observation and non-interventional techniques into my parenting turned out to be good approaches to dealing with others too. It gives your kids, you, and those around you the chance to do their own best work and find empowerment though the success they found themselves. It sounds backward, but it's not. It's the best parenting advice I've ever received.

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  • Renée Rodríguez
  • 2018-06-18

Loved her approach!

I totally agree with Janet’s respectful approach to the education of our children. I truly enjoying implementing her advice and seeing positive changes in my relationship with my kids. I recommend this book to parents are are willing to educate there kids with respectful boundaries, honestly and love.

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