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Livewires Resources

Resources & Tools

Downloadables

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Sleep Tankers Handout Image.jpg

4 Main
Sleep Tankers

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5 Sleep Hacks for Livewires

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5 Reasons for
No Sleep

Books

Disclaimer: I have read and vetted the items on this page.

I only include things I think are awesome and useful.  

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why won't you sleep?

by Macall Gordon, M.A. & Kim West, M.S.W.

This book focuses on the experience of parenting a livewire who never sleeps. It gives you the tools to understand how temperament impacts sleep and what you can do about it. (Spoiler alert: It also doesn't involve leaving the room and letting them freak out.) E-book available on Amazon and audiobook available now on Audible!

Download a sample chapter here.

Books
Cover of the book Raising Kids with Big, Baffling Behaviors. White background with a purple, pink splash graphic

Raising KIDS WITH BIG, BAFFLING BEHAVIORS

by Robyn Gobbel

This is a paradigm-shifting book about navigating those epic meltdowns in a way that supports your sensitive child's more vulnerable nervous system. It's some of the most actionable information I've read as a parent. (The author also runs parent groups and has a lot of downloadable info on her website.)

Cover of the book Raising Your Spirited Child. Blue lettering on a yellow background with red, blue, and white confetti

raising your spirited child

by Mary Sheedy Kurcinka, Ph.D.

This is the OG book on a "spirited" temperament -- kiddos who are "more." It should be required reading for anyone with a child who just burns a little hotter than the others. Another book that should be required reading.

Cover of the book Raising Your Spirited Baby. White background and three toddlers (one black, one Asian, one white) sitting and smiling.

Raising Your Spirited Baby

by Mary Sheedy Kurcinka

This is Mary's newest book based on her doctoral research on a spirited temperament in infancy. Another great, supportive read for parents of "livewires."

Cover of the book The Highly Sensitive Parent. Bright blue background with photo two dandelions.

The highly sensitive parent

by Elaine Aron

Elaine Aron pioneered work on a "highly sensitive" temperament—cautious, sensitive, introverted, etc. This book is one of the only ones to acknowledge that parents' temperament matters, too. Sensitive children likely have sensitive parents. The more you know about your own temperament, the better.

Cover of the book "Good Night, Sleep Tight" with the image of a brown-haired baby sleeping on its side.

good night, sleep tight

by Kim West, MSW

This is potentially the only book (besides Why Won't You Sleep?!) about sleep that offers a middle ground between living with it/following cues and using some form of Ferber. Kim's approach scaffolds sleep skills with presence and support. 

Cover of The Fussy Baby Book by William and Martha Sears. Image of two babies, one asleep, one awake.

The fussy baby Book

by William & Martha Sears

The Searses had several children for whom their parenting strategies worked pretty well. And then they had Hayden. Hayden was what they called a "high-need baby." Those strategies did not work the same for her. This is a helpful, validating guide. (Fun fact: I contributed a bunch of the anecdotes/quotes in this book based on my own "high-need" child.) 

The cover of the book Good Inside. Bright yellow background with teal blue lettering that's cutouts with small silhouettes of people inside the letters.

Good inside

by Dr. Becky Kennedy

Dr. Becky refers to livewires as "deeply feeling kids." This is another book with actionable ways of thinking about challenging behaviors. Dr. Becky really gets these kids.

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