About the Author/Illustrator~Media Room

Author Bio:

Best-selling parenting and children’s book author, L.R.Knost, is an independent child development researcher and founder and director of the advocacy and consulting group, Little Hearts/Gentle Parenting Resources, as well as a monthly contributor to The Natural Parent Magazine. She is also a babywearing, breastfeeding, cosleeping, homeschooling mother of six. Her children are a 25-year-old Pastor and married father of two; a 23-year-old married Family Therapist working on an advanced degree; an 18-year-old university pre-med student on scholarship; 13 and 6-year-old sweet, funny, socially active, homeschooled girls; and an adorable 25-month-old toddler. Two Thousand Kisses a Day: Gentle Parenting Through the Ages and Stages is the first in the Little Hearts Handbook series of gentle parenting guides by L.R.Knost. The next book in the series, Whispers Through Time: Communication Through the Ages and Stages of Childhood, is due to be released in June 2013. Other works by this award-winning author include a children’s picture book, A Walk in the Clouds, due to be released in September 2013, and Petey’s Listening Ears, the first in the Wisdom for Little Hearts series for ages 2 to 6, which are humorous and engaging tools for parents, teachers, and caregivers to use in implementing gentle parenting techniques in their homes and schools.

The Little Hearts/Gentle Parenting Resources support team includes a retired elementary school teacher and school administrator with a Master’s in Educational Leadership, a Family Therapist with a background in early childhood education, and a Senior Pastor and gifted artist/illustrator.

Contact Information:

Email: littleheartsbooks@live.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/littleheartsbooks

Twitter: @LRKnost_Author

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/lrknost/

Book Reviews and Author Interviews:

The Path Less Taken ~ Book Review

‘Two Thousand Kisses a Day’ is truly a breath of fresh air amongst all the harsh traditional parenting books advocating for punishments, rewards, and control.  It takes you back to what parenting should be:  a respectful partnership.  A dance between parent and child, where everyone’s voices are heard, and everyone’s needs are met.

And while it speaks beautifully to the wonderful parts of parenting, it doesn’t gloss over the hard parts either.  The author also speaks with great candor about a few difficult moments she had with her children, as well as how she handled them as a gentle parent, and what she learned from the process.  It is honest, and it is enlightening.

Dulce de Leche ~ Book Review

I loved this book.  More than just the content, which was excellent, I loved  what this book did in me as I was reading it.  I have read books by punitive authors such as Ezzo, the Pearls, Tripp and others who left me feeling at war with my children.  I would find myself being less patient, quick to anger and assigning evil intent to their motives.  In contrast, when I read Two Thousand Kisses a Day, I felt so light and loving.  Little love waves kept splashing on my family the whole day, and we all experienced more peace, joy, patience, kindness and self control.

The Natural Parent Magazine ‘The Birth Story of a Book’

‘Two Thousand Kisses a Day: Gentle Parenting Through the Ages and Stages’ is an introduction to the ideas behind gentle parenting and provides practical examples of its application in each of the developmental stages of childhood such as the transition from diapers to potty, problems with sharing, coping with picky eaters, guiding children gently through behavioral issues, and more. 

The Single Crunch TSC Review

L. R. Knost’s ‘Two Thousand Kisses a Day: Gentle Parenting Through the Ages and Stages’ is a gentle nudge from a fellow momma who’s been there, done that; and who happens to also be a parenting author and child development researcher.  A mother six times over, it quickly becomes clear that her point of view is based not only on biology and sound evidence – these practices have actually enriched her own family life and her latest book is a letter to other parents detailing how we too can strengthen our family’s connection as well, when applied with practicality.

Our Muddy Boots ~ Changing the World, One Little Heart at a Time

“Of my six children, two are what most would call high-needs or strong-willed. Gentle parenting is particularly effective with challenging children. Strong will equals strong need and focusing on those needs defuses rather than escalates behavioral issues. My objective is always first and foremost to meet their needs, which typically involve reconnection and being heard, then to work with my child on equipping them with coping skills to handle their overwhelming emotions, and finally to address the behaviors themselves when my child is calm and open and ready to cooperate.”

Gentle Christian Mothers ~ Book Review and Author Interview

L.R.Knost’s ‘Two Thousand Kisses a Day: Gentle Parenting Through The Ages & Stages’  gently presents a strong case for gentle parenting and shares helpful, practical wisdom, presenting gentle parenting in a way that makes it doable. She speaks with a calm, reassuring voice, encouraging parents to live what they want their children to learn, to build strong and healthy connections with their children, and to enjoy their children, plus, importantly, she shares ways to help make these things happen. One highlight of the book is her chapter on The Problem with Punishment (which can be read online). ‘Two Thousand Kisses’ is a wonderful introduction to gentle parenting.

The Twin Coach ~ Book Review

L.R.Knost’s ‘Two Thousand Kisses a Day: Gentle Parenting Through The Ages & Stages’ reads like gentle suggestions from a good friend. The author is an independent child development researcher and mom of six children ranging in age from toddlerhood to young adult. Although ’Two Thousand Kisses a Day’ covers a broad ranges of ages and stages, the chapters are short and easy to read. The author provides understandable scenarios to illustrate her points and often gives easy to follow suggestions for every-day difficulties, such as doing chores in the house or feeding a picky eater, from a gentle parenting point of view.

Smooth Parenting ~ Book Review

In ‘Two Thousand Kisses a Day’ L.R.Knost gives clear examples, fantastic suggestions, and clear information for gentle parents wanting to develop secure, healthy, lifelong connections with their children. She doesn’t only give guidance on how to parent during the formative years of a child, but also during their teenage years and young adulthood. L.R.Knost is a mom of six children herself, which gives her a valuable perspective of 25 years raising children.

‘Two thousand kisses a day’ become ‘two thousand connection points a day’ as children grow. As L.R.Knost describes it, “Creating two thousand connection points a day isn’t about quality time, and it isn’t even about the quantity of time spent with our children. It is, instead, about being there in the small moments, the moments that matter to our children, and consciously meeting with them right where they are.”

Kerenthrelfall

L.R.Knost is certainly gifted in her emotional intelligence and in her ability to view life from a child’s perspective. It is this gift that makes her an excellent adult voice for children and babies, and in a tone that comes across strongly and compassionately throughout the book. (As one of many examples of her ability to view life through the eyes of a child, I found her discussion on how children learn about sharing to be quite helpful.)

Diary of a Natural Mom

‘Two Thousand Kisses a Day: Gentle Parenting Through the Ages and Stages’ by parenting and children’s book author, L.R.Knost, has been described as “a book you’ll devour in one sitting and then keep close at hand for easy reference as your children grow” and “like sitting down for a cuppa with a good friend.” Other reviewers have said it has “an easy, conversational, parent-to-parent tone” which “refreshingly does exactly what it promises: it shows you how to parent gently, with kindness, compassion, and connection, always keeping that strong and healthy relationship with your child at the forefront of your journey.”

The Guggie Daily ~ Book Review and Author Interview

A mother to six children, L.R.Knost has been parenting for 25 years. She’s not just excited about gentle parenting, she’s lived gentle parenting from pregnancy all the way through every stage with their own joys and struggles. And she shares with you concrete ideas for every age and stage in an understanding, reasonable way.

Endorsements:

Parenting Beyond Punishment has added ’Two Thousand Kisses a Day: Gentle Parenting Through the Ages and Stages’ to their recommended reading list.

The Natural Child Project chose a quote from author, L.R.Knost, as their April ‘Quote of the Month’:

“It’s not our job to toughen our children up to face a cruel and heartless world. It’s our job to raise children who will make the world a little less cruel and heartless.” ~ L.R.Knost [From Whispers Through Time: Communication Through the Ages and Stages of Childhood due out June 2013]

Upcoming Reviews and Author Interviews:

San Francisco Book Review

Deseret Magazine

Nurture Magazine

Natural Parent Network

Table of Contents:

Chapter 1 ‘Two Thousand Kisses a Day to Two Thousand Connection Points a Day,’
gives an overview of gentle parenting.

Chapter 2 ‘Surviving the First Three Months with a Newborn’ shares ten steps to ease
the transition when a new baby joins the family.

Chapter 3 ‘Co-sleeping Like a Baby’ covers co-sleeping options from room-sharing to
bed-sharing.

Chapter 4 ‘Breastfeeding: The Healthiest Start’ shares some startling information about
the health and economic costs of low breastfeeding rates and offers insight into some of
the most common reasons new mothers struggle to breastfeed. (Note: The author also
struggled with breastfeeding her first two babies and makes no judgments about formula
feeding.)

Chapter 5 ‘Babywearing, aka Making Your Life Easier’ covers the many conveniences
of babywearing along with offering helpful resources to find what works for you.

Chapter 6 ‘To a Toddler Sharing is a Four Letter Word: MINE’ gives insight into a
toddler’s perception of sharing and offers tips about how to encourage sharing through
role-playing and modeling.

Chapter 7 ‘Three Simple Steps from Diapers to Potty’ shares the author’s experiences in
simply letting her children transition naturally from diapers to potty without training.

Chapter 8 ‘Gentle Weaning’ offers tips for gently helping little ones through weaning
from breastfeeding.

Chapter 9 ‘Picky Eater? Here’s Help!’ shares tips from simple menu ideas to the
psychology behind mealtime battles.

Chapter 10 ‘Are You a Parent Reject?’ covers the rejection parents often feel when little
ones seem to prefer one parent over another.

Chapter 11 ‘Gently Setting Limits’ shares ideas for setting boundaries with empathy,
creativity, and flexibility.

Chapter 12 ‘My Little Caboose and the Very Bad, No Good…Month’ shares some of the

author’s own struggles with parenting and the gentle connections she used to work
through them with her children.

Chapter 13 ‘The Problem with Punishment’ offers insight on the punishment versus
discipline debate.

Chapter 14 ‘Age of Fear: Helping Children Cope with Anxiety’ shares simple, creative
ideas to help children cope with fear and anxiety.

Chapter 15 ‘Bucket List for a Happy Childhood’ offers two hundred ideas for connecting
with your children and building happy memories.

Chapter 16 ‘Mommy Guilt: The Human Factor’ covers the guilt-trap parents often fall
into and help in working toward a more healthy perspective.

Chapter 17 ‘A Place to Rest: Becoming Our Children’s Safe Harbor’ offers insight into
the need for unconditional acceptance and love in childhood.

Chapter 18 ‘Death of a Butterfly: Helping Children Cope with Loss’ shares simple steps
to walk through loss with children.

Chapter 19 ‘Chores Sh’mores’ offers alternatives to the chore battle to build more
cooperative teamwork.

Chapter 20 ‘Live What You Want Them to Learn’ shares insight into the importance of
walking out the character traits you want to grow in your children.

Chapter 21 ‘Is Your Child an Introvert or an Extrovert?’ offers checklists to help you
determine whether your child has introvert or extrovert tendencies and how to adjust your
parenting to meet their unique needs.

Chapter 22 ‘Into the Looking Glass: Teens and Self-Esteem’ shares insights into the
intense self-consciousness that often characterizes the teen years and offers ideas for
helping your adolescent to cope.

Chapter 23 ‘Gently Parenting Teens’ gives an overview of the value of gentle and
connected parenting in the teen years.

Chapter 24 ‘Talking to Teens’ offers practical tips for communicating with your teen.

Chapter 25 ‘Dealing with the Hard Stuff’ shares insight into communicating with
adolescents about difficult issues such as sex, politics, religion, etc.

Chapter 26 ‘Too Late for Teens?’ offers practical steps to work toward a more gentle
parenting style and connected relationship for parents who are just now discovering
gentle parenting.

Chapter 27 ‘Twelve Tips for Gently Parenting Your Adult Children’ shares ideas for
growing and maintaining a healthy, connected relationship with your adult children.

Chapter 28 ‘Twelve Steps to Gentle Parenting’ offers a twelve month, step-by-step
approach to work toward a more gentle style of parenting.

Sample chapters:

Ten Steps to Surviving the first three months with a newborn!

200 Ways to Bless your Children with a Happy Childhood

12 Steps to Gentle Parenting

 

If you’d like to know more about Two Thousand Kisses a Day: Gentle Parenting Through the Ages and Stages, click the link to read more editorial and consumer reviews.

 

Meet the Illustrator:

Concept Art & New Release Info