Elizabeth Pantley is the noted author of many bestselling books, her latest is recently hot off the press, “The-No Cry Nap Solution.” She is the president of Better Beginnings, Inc., a parent-education company and a mother of four children of her own! {WHEW!} She is quite the expert in this area, so when she contacted me regarding giving her books a whirl, based on reading my own mommy woes, I was more than flattered and ready to dive in!

The only problem was, I was a curse to myself. Rather than losing myself in the pages of her wonderful books right away, I found I was completely overwhelmed with potty training and teething, along with exhaustion from my surprise baby no. 3 on the way. Sleep wasn’t an option, even though we all know Emerson wasn’t doing any of that in her short life since her BIRTH. I finally got on the ball, and read two of her books. I was simply delighted with her encouraging and simple approach to naptime, nighttime, and everything in between. All the while kicking myself for not doing it sooner.

I’ve always been, personally, a strong believer in child-led routines and cues, so this book went right along with my philosophy. It’s all about focusing and paying attention even when you don't think you have the time, energy or sheer will to do so. Sleep is essential to our child’s development, and I think we fail to notice that in the vicious cycle we can become caught up in, in our every day lives. I was tired of being constantly badgered, told to let them cry it out, and feeling hopeless for everything in between…and then I read the books.

In short, Pantley offers a delightfully refreshing approach to it all. Emerson is sleeping better right now than
she has since she was born. Aiden is a work in progress, but I am slowly applying the techiniques to him as well, and LOVE Elizabeth for helping parents like me through such a potentially exhausting process. Pantley successfully presents really creative, common sense kind of ideas that can be used with your own philosphy, feelings and instincts as a mother. Her tone is patient, genuine, and reassuring. Something I truly needed.

Here are a two quick summaries of both books, though I could never express in such a short expose the wonderful advice both contain:

The No-cry sleep solution for toddlers and preschoolers
-Gentle ways to stop bedtime battles and improve your child’s sleep

One to six year olds

Refreshing book-refreshing tone.

This thing even includes customized solutions for your family.

Basic things we as parents sometimes forget to consider, from the issues of an appropriate mattress comforts and pajama fittings to providing the right nutrition to improve sleep.

Keeping a detailed log of sleeping was very helpful- and as I now realize, ESSENTIAL. I would find that my mom would ask me how Emerson slept two nights before, and I couldn’t REMEMBER. Details in your child and documenting them are so important-something that helped me since I tend to wake up groggy and totally forget what happened the night before. We can easily become caught up in a vicious cycle of the stress in not gaining enough sleep-which is something that is easily felt by children.

Any problem you can think of she covers in this book! You can’t lose for trying it. Whatever you are dealing with-it pretty much covers, as I am sure she has experienced this with her own children. Give it a whirl. You will not regret.

The No-cry nap solution
-Guaranteed gentle ways to solve all your naptime problems
{and truly lives up to its promise.}

Her latest release

Just as delightful.

This is basically a book filled with tools to make them happen.
Once again, she encourages parents to work with logs, which is of course, extremely helpful to me and both of my children in a world where I tend to be completely overwhelmed with the ins and outs of every day life.

It deals with shifting schedules, sudden changes, nap strikes (which I deal with often) traveling,..practically anything you can think of. If you struggle with any of this, or even think you might, be prepared. DO IT. get the book. You, my dears, will not be sorry.

I can’t wait to go tackle her other books, and will be applying my new philosophies to baby no. 3 from the get-go. I am officially a Pantley fan. Every parent should own at least one.

Go get 'em. Here and here.