Resources
Booklets and CDs
by Marcy Axness
Booklets
- Painful Lessons, Loving Bonds ~ The Heart of Open Adoption
- What is Written on the Heart ~ Primal Issues in Adoption
CDs
- Affirming The Adoptee’s Reality: A Way To Intimacy
- The 72 Varieties of Open Adoption: Which is Yours?
- Smoke and Mirrors: Why Reunion Relationships are Soooooo Tricky
- Life Before Birth: The Shaping Nature of Our Prenatal Experience
Recommended Books and Links
The following books and websites appear on this list because they articulate approaches, research, or philosophies consistent with QUANTUM PARENTING principles. Indeed, many of the following resources helped me discover, shape and refine my ideas.
- General Parenting
- Prenatal and Perinatal Development / Very Early Parenting
- ADD/ADHD, Learning Disorders & Brain Development
- Separation, Loss, Attachment Disruption, Trauma
- Adoption
- Birth, Culture, Education, Technology
- Wholesome Products for Quantum Parenting
- Quantum Thought
General Parenting
Books/Publications
- Mothering magazine—Source of excellent information, inspiration, and soul nourishment for the conscious parent.
- Rahima Baldwin Dancy, You Are Your Child’s First Teacher (Berkeley, CA: Celestial Arts, 2000).
- Magda Gerber and Allison Johnson, Your Self-Confident Baby: Raising Your Child the Right Way (Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley and Sons, 1997).
- Michael Mendizza and Joseph Chilton Pearce, Magical Parent, Magical Child: The Optimum Learning Relationship (Nevada City, CA: In-Joy, 2002).
- Barbara Patterson and Pamela Bradley, Beyond the Rainbow Bridge: Nurturing our Children from Birth to Seven (Amesbury, MA: Michaelmas Press, 2000).
- Joseph Chilton Pearce, The Biology of Transcendence: A Blueprint of the Human Spirit (Rochester, VT: Inner Traditions, 2002).
- Joseph Chilton Pearce, Magical Child: Rediscovering Nature’s Plan for Our Children (New York: Bantam, 1977).
- David Elkind, The Hurried Child: Growing Up Too Fast Too Soon (Cambridge, MA: Perseus Publishing, 2001).
Web
- Los Angeles Alliance for Children - Support, information, and networking for families seeking a natural, conscious lifestyle that supports children’s physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual needs.
- Natural Child Project - Extensive archive of articles on all aspects of conscious parenting; particular emphasis on attachment parenting; lots of homeschooling information and resources.
- Quality Parenting - Practical guidelines for turning your ideals into concrete action, with communication that demonstrates and fosters mutual respect.
Prenatal and Perinatal Development / Very Early Parenting
Books
- David Chamberlain, The Mind of Your Newborn Baby (Berkeley, CA: North Atlantic, 1998). Fascinating stories & research by a pioneer.
- Thomas Verny and John Kelly, The Secret Life of the Unborn Child (New York: Delta, 1982). The first book on this topic ~ a classic.
- Thomas Verny, Tomorrow’s Baby: The Art and Science of Parenting from Conception through Infancy (New York: Simon & Schuster, 2002).
- Laura Archera Huxley and Piero Ferruci, The Child of Your Dreams (Rochester, VT: Destiny Books, 1992). I have often said if I could give young couples just one book that distills the essence of many important principles of the science and spirit of parenting—and does it with exquisite beauty—this would be it.
Web
- Birth Psychology - Official site of APPPAH (Assn. of Prenatal and Perinatal Psychology & Health), The headquarters for exploring the many mental and emotional dimensions of pregnancy and birth in everything from scholarly articles to personal stories and late-breaking headlines. (Dr. Axness is editor of the Adoption Column here.)
- Center for Prenatal Music - Assists mothers, teenagers and couples in realizing their journey through pregnancy and birth in a holistic and supportive environment, as well as offering educational resources.
- CHEC - Children’s Health Environmental Coalition; important information, guidelines and action steps about preventable health and development problems caused by prenatal and childhood exposure to toxic substances in homes, schools and communities.
ADD/ADHD, Learning Disorders & Brain Development
Books
- Thomas Lewis, Fari Amini, and Richard Lannon, A General Theory of Love (New York: Random House, 2000).
- Gabor Maté, Scattered: How Attention Deficit Disorder Originates and What You Can Do About It (New York: Penguin, 1999).
- Daniel J. Siegel and Mary Hartzell, Parenting From the Inside Out: How a Deeper Self-Understanding Can Help You Raise Children Who Thrive (New York: Jeremy Tarcher/Putnam, 2003).
- Daniel J. Siegel, The Developing Mind: How Relationships and the Brain Interact to Shape Who We Are (New York: Guildord Press, 2002).
Web
- Healing Arts - Alternative and innovative therapies for children with developmental delays, brain injury, and related neurometabolic conditions & disorders; truly leading edge, affiliated with Integrative Medicine Program at the University of Arizona.
- Prevention & Healing, Inc. ~ Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (pdf) — Excellent information on a holistic approach to ADD, ADHD and other neuro-regulatory disorders.
- The Hallowell Center - founded by psychiatrist Ned Hallowell, author of the bestselling book on ADD/ADHD, Driven to Distraction; promotes an integrated mind/body/heart approach; great collection of links and some good information about recognizing and living with ADD/ADHD.
- Center for the Study of Autism - A tremendous amount of information and additional links on autism and autistic spectrum disorders.
Separation, Loss, Attachment Disruption, Trauma
Books
- John Bowlby, Attachment and Loss, 3 vols., vol. II: Separation (New York: Basic Books, 1973).Deborah Gray, Attaching in Adoption: Practical Tools for Today’s Parents (Indianapolis, IN: Perspectives Press, 2002).
- Deborah Gray, Attaching in Adoption: Practical Tools for Today’s Parents (Indianapolis, IN: Perspectives Press, 2002).
- Robin Karr-Morse and Meredith S. Wiley, Ghosts from the Nursery: Tracing the Roots of Violence (New York: Atlantic Monthly Press, 1997).
- Marshall H. Klaus, John H. Kennell, and Phyllis H. Klaus, Bonding: Building the Foundations of Secure Attachment and Independence (New York: Addison-Wesley, 1995).
- Judith Viorst, Necessary Losses: The Loves, Illusions, Dependencies and Impossible Expectations That All of Us Have to Give Up in Order to Grow (New York: Ballantine, 1986). One of my all-time favorites! .
Web
- Early Trauma Treatment and Trainings - The “Parents’ Page” has excellent material directly relevant to infants and young children.
- The Foundation for Human Enrichment - This non-profit educational and research organization, dedicated to the worldwide healing and prevention of trauma, has excellent articles on trauma and healing in the “Resources” section of their website. I often refer people to their excellent practitioner directory, for healing professionals who have been trained in Somatic Experiencing®.
- Trauma Resources - Leading-edge research & information about psychological or emotional trauma, and trauma rooted in early life and relationship problems.
- Child Trauma Academy - Non-profit educational organization founded by one of the world’s leading experts, Dr. Bruce Perry, to help improve the lives of traumatized and maltreated children and their families; extensive excellent information.
- David Baldwin’s Trauma Information: The most comprehensive trauma research resource available online.
Adoption
Books
- Robert Anderson, Second Choice: Growing Up Adopted (Chesterfield, MO: Badger Hill Press, 1992). Authored by an adoptee who’s also a psychiatrist, this is a beautifully written exploration of the experience of the male adoptee.
- David M. Brodzinsky, Marshall D. Schechter, and Robin Marantz Henig, Being Adopted: The Lifelong Search for Self (New York: Doubleday, 1992).
- David H. Kirk, Shared Fate (Glencoe, IL: Free Press, 1964). A landmark in the field.
- Betty Jean Lifton, Journey of the Adopted Self: A Quest for Wholeness (New York: HarperCollins, 1994).
- Lois Melina, Raising Adopted Children (New York: Harper Perennial, 1998).
- Randolph Severson, Adoption: Philosophy and Experience (Dallas: House of Tomorrow, 1994). For the poet/scholars among you!
- Arthur D. Sorosky, Annette Baran, and Reuben Pannor, The Adoption Triangle: Sealed or Open Records, How They Affect Adoptees, Birth Parents, and Adoptive Parents (San Antonio, TX: Corona, 1984). An extraordinary and compassionate book.
- Jean A.S. Strauss, Birthright: The Guide to Search and Reunion for Adoptees, Birthparents, and Adoptive Parents (New York: Penguin, 1994).
- Nancy Verrier, The Primal Wound: Understanding the Adopted Child (Baltimore, MD: Gateway, 1993).
Web
Birth, Culture, Education
Books
Child Honoring, edited by Raffi Cavoukian & Sharna Olfman (Westport, CT: Praeger, 2006). This anthology explores our current moment of opportunity (and threat) that is unprecedented in human history, and offers a novel and systemic approach to societal transformation based on honoring our youngest and “most valuable players.” Contributors include Stanley Greenspan, Fritjof Capra, Penelope Leach, Riane Eisler, Sandra Steingraber, Barbara Kingsolver, Ron Colman; the foreword is by The Dalai Lama.- Robbie Davis-Floyd and Joseph Dumit, eds. Cyborg Babies: From Techno-Sex to Techno-Tots (New York: Routledge, 1998). Fascinating, mind-expanding exploration of how our passionate embrace of technology has transformed our most intimate human processes.
- David Elkind, Miseducation: Preschoolers at Risk (New York: Alfred Knopf/Borzoi, 1987). A must-read for any parent who’s planning on enrolling a child in preschool!
- Pamela Johnson Fenner and Karen L. Rivers, eds. Waldorf Education: A Family Guide (Amesbury, MA: Michaelmas Press, 1992).
- Brigitte Jordan, Birth in Four Cultures (Prospect Heights, IL: Waveland Press, 1993). Insight into possible reasons the U.S. ranks so high in prematurity, low birth-weight, and infant mortality despite our “advanced” technologies.
- Michel Odent, Birth Reborn (Medord, NJ: BirthWorks Press, 1994). Dr. Odent is best-known for pioneering water-birth; this is one of the most exquisite and important books on conscious, natural childbirth.
- Claudia Panuthos, Transformation Through Birth (Westport, CT: Bergin & Garvey, 1984). This was my personal favorite of all the books I read during my first pregnancy!
- Neil Postman, The Disappearance of Childhood (New York: Vintage Books, 1994). This book literally changed the way I think about most things! Eloquent, beautifully written, and sobering to the max.
Web
- Child Honouring - Founded by beloved “children’s troubadour” Raffi Cavoukian, Child Honouring is a vision, an organizing principle, and a way of life… a revolution in values that calls for a profound redesign of every sphere of society.
- Birthing the Future - Author, photojournalist, visionary and activist, Suzanne Arms founded this non-profit to “gather, synthesize, and disseminate the finest world wisdom that inspires people about the significance of birthing in each of our lives.”
- Birthworks - Promotes safe and loving birth experiences through education, introspection and confident action. This site includes Dr. Michel Odent’s important Primal Health Research Database.
- National Organization of Circumcision Information Resource Centers
- Circumcision Resource Center - With a particular focus on resourcing Jewish families with information, support, and alternatives.
- Robbie Davis-Floyd - A wealth of material from this cultural anthropologist whose focus is pregnancy, birth and our cultural embrace of technology; on such fresh, fascinating topics as standardized hospital birth as an American cultural rite of passage.
- Global Reform Movement For Social Progress - Excellent collection of articles and information about education reform, learning and the brain, education and mental health, and much more.
- Cal-Care - Dedicated to educating policy makers and the public about the dangers of the current trend in educational “reforms” particularly high-stakes standardized testing; specific to California.
- The Odysseus Group: Challenging the Myths of Modern Schooling - Begin your read of this astonishing site at this page, a clever and enlightening “history tour” of modern education; then proceed to “Underground History of American Education.” Site principal John Taylor Gatto’s biography, and authority for making the charges he makes, are stellar.
Wholesome Products for Quantum Parenting
Web
- Healthy Child/Healthy World - A great resource for learning about the effects of the environment on kids, with tips & guidelines to help reduce exposure to chemicals, toxins, and pollutants, for the health of your family, your home, and the environment.
- The Natural Baby Catalog - Great source for everything you’ll need for the early years.
- A Toy Garden - Children thrive on beauty: beautiful toys, beautiful materials—wood instead of plastic, silk & cotton instead of vinyl. At this family-run webstore you will find dolls and playthings that will touch and soothe your childs soul. All the treasures and essentials for your baby, child, and even adult gifts. U.S. and Fair Trade handmade toys from natural materials, as well as quality art supplies, craft kits, books & music, cooperative games, gnomes & fairies and the best selection & prices of play silks and woolen/silk undergarments in the world!.
- Chinaberry - “Items to support families in raising their children with love, honesty and joy, to be reverent, loving caretakers of each other and of the earth.” This catalog sustained me during my children’s early years!
Quantum Thought
Books
- Jennifer Cobb, Cybergrace: The Search for God in the Digital World (New York: Crown, 1998). Out of print but available used, and very worth finding. This is a great read, an easy read, and one of a handful of books that has changed me.
- Larry Dossey, Prayer is Good Medicine (New York: HarperCollins, 1996). How our thought—and prayers—have been scientifically shown to affect the health and well-being of others, even at great distances.
- Wayne Dyer, The Power of Intention (Carlsbad, CA: Hay House, 2004). An easily-read primer in essential, practical principles for consciously creating the life and relationships you want.
- Derrick Jensen, A Language Older Than Words (New York: Context Books, 2000). Another book with the power to change a reader, by what some calls the “philosopher-king of the deep ecology movement”; invites us to gaze at the world unfiltered by our shared myths and illusions about human progress; but it’s on this list because of its discussion of consciousness, and the connectedness of everything.
- Dean Radin, The Conscious Universe (New York: HarperSanFrancisco, 1997).
- Catherine Schultz, Bliss: Living in Silent Awareness (Asheville, NC: Xlibris, 2000). This book quite literally changed my life, in a blissful way!
- Ken Wilber, Tony Schwartz, and Dan Spinella, A Brief History of Everything (Boston: Shambala, 2000). Everyone should read this.
Web
- What the Bleep Do We Know? - The companion site to the movie that’s sweeping the nation; a great resource list for getting introduced to the possibilities for an expanded view of the world, the universe, and your life.