Parenting Books - What is Good/What is a waste of time?

 

There are so many resources out there for parenting and so little time to read them.  How do you figure out what is good?  I've agonized over this and realized that all of the time I've spent thinking about it, could've been reading something.  I decided to ask friends who've been through where I'm at (the toddler stage with 2 kids 17 months apart) and found a few great ones.  My recent find is by Maggie Reigh, "9 steps to effective parenting".  In my home town there's been some seminars focusing on this books and there are some excellent "self discipline techinques".  One I love, is regarding talking TO your kids rather than AT your kids.  How often do you find yourself yelling into the next room, "Don't...............".  She suggests taking the time up front to make physical contact, e.g. go to the room and touch their shoulder before talking rather than barking out orders from the next room.  I've found myself repeating myself far less since I started this.  Another book I've found useful is an older book from Barbard Coloroso which covers self-discipline.  It covers many things that span the younger ages including allowances, etc..  If anyone has any other useful books, please share!