Relate Bookshop
The suggestions in this section range from general advice, information and inspiration to dealing with specific problems. The majority are aimed at parents, while some books can be read together, and a few are ‘teenager only’. Please also refer to the other sections. Titles are listed alphabetically.
Books for parents/Families
Relate Guides (Created by Relate)
Babyshock!– Your relationship survival guide
Elizabeth Martyn
Babyshock! is for any parents who have forgotten what it's like to be a couple because their children have taken over their lives. The experiences of pregnancy, childbirth and caring for children are wonderful, but also put a great deal of pressure on a relationship...
£5.99
Step Families – Living successfully with other people’s children (Relate guide)
Suzie Hayman
According to statistics, one in three people in the UK today is likely to be involved in a step-family at some point in their life. In Step-Families, Suzie Hayman looks at the problems that may arise as a result of this life-change and offers strategies for coping with them. It is common for a 'new' parent to suffer from feelings of isolation, guilt and anxiety while the established parent is concerned with balancing his or her needs with those of their partner, their children and possibly step-children. How do you also manage a sexual relationship if you are a single parent? Or accept the on-going role of the partner's 'ex' and the involvement of grandparents? Suzie Hayman uses personal stories to suggest ways in which you can come to terms with feelings, resolve problems and anticipate trouble before it starts. She takes a candid look at family politics - from an adult's point of view as well as a child's - and also addresses the relationship issues which arise if you and your partner decide to have children of your own.
£6.99
Other Recommended Publishers
Beyond Toddlerdom: Every Parent’s Guide to the 5-10s
Christopher Green
First there was BABIES, then came the TODDLER TAMING phenomenon - now there's the sequel every parent has been waiting for...Christopher Green has written BEYOND TODDLERDOM for all those parents in need of calm and wise advice on parenting the 5-10 year age group. The 5-10s have to face a number of developmental hurdles. They become aware of the world outside the home. They will start school, make friends, take up hobbies and develop personal interests. They may move house, may live through a parental divorce, and will develop personality patterns that will stay with them for life. It is an important time. Writing with his usual humourous, practical and down-to earth style, Chris Green draws on his many years of expertise as a paediatrician, father and grandfather to enable parents to understand their Child's needs and development during their pre-teen years. He takes full account of all the physical, psychological and sociological influences that are of importance during this time - and helps parents to make appropriate decisions about everything from friends to homework, sibling rivalry to positive discipline. It is the ideal companion to Chris Green's previous parenting 'bibles' and a must for every parent.
£6.68
Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul
Jack Canfield
"Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul" is your handbook for surviving and succeeding during the exciting teen years with both your sanity and sense of humour intact. It contains invaluable lessons on the nature of friendship and love, the importance of belief in the future and the value of respect for yourself and others...
£6.99
Families and How to Survive Them
Robin Skynner (Author), John Cleese (Author), Bud Handelsman (Illustrator)
Most people have emotions they can't handle, so they hide them. By choosing partners with the same inhibitions, the problem is often passed on to their children. This book, using modern experiences of family therapy, shows how understanding relationships in families can be made.
£6.74
How are Babies Made?
Alistair Smith
Combining simple text and illustrations, the books in the Usborne Flip Flaps series explain to young children how different aspects of the world work.
£4.74
Living with a Willy
Nick Fisher
Designed to be a frank, friendly and funny guide for boys. It explains the biological stages of puberty but with "real" incidents and examples of the feelings and everyday experiences that accompany growing up. Then there's issues such as "image" - shaving, tatooing etc - and girls.
£3.49
New Toddler Taming: The World's Bestselling Parenting Guide
Christopher Green
Many parents wonder how the sweet, chubby baby which gurgles happily at them for the first twelve months changes so suddenly into a bellowing, tantrum prone, heel drumming, carpet biting toddler. What's gone wrong? Whose fault is it? What can be done about it? Dr Christopher Green's classic bestseller has been revised and updated to answer these questions and others like them in a way that parents of the twenty-first century will instantly grasp. Dr Christopher Green quickly calms fear of 'abnormal' bad behaviour, points out the inevitable strains of bringing up children and offers invaluable practical advice on all fronts from sleeping problems and tantrums to toilet training. This new edition also includes updated information on childhood eating habits, sibling rivalry and discipline. Light-hearted and authoritative, "New Toddler Taming" is a must for family sanity!
£7.28
Raising Boys
Steve Biddulph
Review 'a mix of Billy Connelly and Dr Spock ... Steve Biddulph is a publishing phenomenon.' The Times 'Steve's advice is easy to follow - and more importantly, it works.' BBC Family Life Magazine The Guardian 'Britain's number one childcare guru'
£5.59
The Bloke’s Guide to Pregnancy
Jon Smith
This book takes a 'warts and all' sensible yet humorous look at the many stages of pregnancy. It explores the changes, physical and emotional, that any man can expect to see in his partner and in their relationship over the coming months. Becoming pregnant involved two people. The rearing of a child will involve two people; there is every reason that your partner's pregnancy should also involve the two of you, together. For any man that has been put off reading pregnancy books because he doesn't feel he was the intended audience or that something about the tone of these books was alien to him, yet he still has questions that need answers; then The Blokes' Guide to: Pregnancy is the book he's been looking for. As a father himself, Jon Smith realized, when his partner Lisa became pregnant that there was nothing out there that he could relate to. The Bloke's Guide to Pregnancy is the result. Jon takes a comical yet informed look at the ups and downs of life as a father to be. Guaranteed to educate you while making you laugh out loud!
£5.39
The Family Survival Guide: Change your Family Life for the Better
Trisha Goddard
Each week day morning the Trisha show consistently brings in the highest audience rating for its time slot. The magic ingredients are regular people with everyday family troubles and Trisha's no-nonsense, common sense approach to how her guests might take positive steps to help themselves. This book takes you through all the challenges, choices and changes that are faced within the family and includes: Losing and choosing a partner - are you making the same mistakes over and over? Being a parent - what kind of parent do you really want to be? Step-families - is the Brady Bunch just a bunch of lies? Fighting fair - can you deal calmly and effectively with conflict? Trisha is no stranger to the trials and tribulations of family life. Her sister committed suicide and she also went through a time of very serious depression herself. She has learnt the hard way how to put her family first and contributes much of her own fascinating personal story to this very positive and helpful book, alongside her husband Peter Gianfrancesco, who is a chief executive for the mental health charity MIND, and many other real-life success stories which highlight the issues throughout. The book also includes expert help and advice from psychologist Dr. Terri Van Leeson. There are lots of exercises and quizzes throughout. It is full of Trisha's humour and is as direct as she is to her guests. This is the book that helps you focus not just on yourself but also those around you.
