• Elevating Child Care

  • A Guide to Respectful Parenting
  • By: Janet Lansbury
  • Narrated by: Janet Lansbury
  • Length: 3 hrs and 30 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (1,402 ratings)

Prime member exclusive:
pick 2 free titles with trial.
Pick 1 title (2 titles for Prime members) from our collection of bestsellers and new releases.
Access a growing selection of included Audible Originals, audiobooks and podcasts.
Your Premium Plus plan will continue for $14.95 a month after 30-day trial. Cancel anytime.
Elevating Child Care  By  cover art

Elevating Child Care

By: Janet Lansbury
Narrated by: Janet Lansbury
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $13.00

Buy for $13.00

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's Summary

Janet Lansbury's advice on respectful parenting is quoted and shared by millions of listeners worldwide. Inspired by the pioneering parenting philosophy of her friend and mentor, Magda Gerber, Janet's influential voice encourages parents and child-care professionals to perceive babies as unique, capable human beings with natural abilities to learn without being taught; to develop motor and cognitive skills; communicate; face age appropriate struggles; initiate and direct independent play for extended periods; and much more. Once we are able to view our children in this light, even the most common daily parenting experiences become stimulating opportunities to learn, discover, and to connect with our child. Elevating Child Care is a collection of 30 popular and widely discussed articles from Janet's website that focus on some of the most common infant/toddler issues: eating, sleeping, diaper changes, communication, separation, focus and attention span, creativity, boundaries, and more. Eschewing the quick-fix tips and tricks of popular parenting culture, Janet's insightful philosophy lays the foundation for a closer, more fulfilling parent/child relationship, and children who grow up to be authentic, confident, successful adults.

©2014 Janet Lansbury (P)2014 Janet Lansbury

More from the same

Author

Narrator

What listeners say about Elevating Child Care

Average Customer Ratings
Overall
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1,208
  • 4 Stars
    141
  • 3 Stars
    36
  • 2 Stars
    8
  • 1 Stars
    9
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1,012
  • 4 Stars
    114
  • 3 Stars
    24
  • 2 Stars
    2
  • 1 Stars
    7
Story
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    971
  • 4 Stars
    118
  • 3 Stars
    29
  • 2 Stars
    9
  • 1 Stars
    8

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

Fluffy but Useful

This is not an ask-an-expert parenting book. Janet Lansbury is a sort-of-used-to-be-famous disciple of Magda Gerber, an infant development expert who died in 2007. Lansbury doesn't claim to be an expert, but she is a wholehearted believer in the RIE approach to respectful parenting and has years of experience teaching this method to other parents. This book is almost entirely about infants and toddlers, not older children.

In principle, RIE is about respecting children from birth as whole people and letting them develop and learn on their own terms and in their own time. I agree with this principle, but, like any parenting ideology, it inevitably gets taken too far, like when Lansbury is very critical of parents asking toddlers harmless questions like, "Where's your nose?" because, apparently, that creates performance anxiety...? And although it's nice in theory to ask an infant's permission to change their diaper, it's a little much to expect parents to never need to get through a diaper change with an active nine-month-old without a distraction like a toy or a song, or to constantly tell a newborn everything that is about to happen at all times. I also don't believe in never explicitly teaching children things. If you don't expose them to something, how are they supposed to know whether or not it interests them? The book also tells you to ignore your parenting instincts in favour of doing everything the RIE approach tells you, which in my opinion is more likely to make parents feel insecure and not genuine than it is to help them make good decisions for their kids.

That said, the majority of the advice is useful if you can manage to not take the sanctimonious parts too seriously. Messages for parents like "take care of yourself", "it's okay to let kids be frustrated", "you don't need to entertain your baby", and "boundaries are important and necessary, not mean" are all good and helpful things for parents to hear. Is some of it contrived? Sure. But the overall message is reassuring and surprisingly realistic. Your baby needs the freedom to explore, and it is completely reasonable to restrict their play areas with gates/fences/etc. to keep them safe. The vast majority of babies will roll, sit up, walk, talk, and toilet-train in their own time and focusing on median-based milestone timing is a recipe for unnecessary parent anxiety. Your baby doesn't need to be attached to you 24/7 to feel secure. Your toddler will thrive in a world with limits and natural consequences. Hovering and constantly intervening is not helpful and often actively undermines kids who are trying to develop social skills or learning to solve problems. Kids are happiest with simple toys and a safe play environment - they don't need noisy, over-complicated "educational" toys or fancy music classes to learn and grow. Take your cues from your child when making decisions about everything from mealtimes to conflicts with other children and don't rely on tricks or manipulative tactics to make them do what you want.

Lansbury, perhaps because she used to be an actor, is a very good narrator. Unlike many books read by the author, this one felt comfortable and natural.

I can't give this book five stars. It's definitely above average for a parenting book, but still a little judgmental and often not based on actual developmental science. However, it was much better than I expected and would be worth listening to again in the future.

41 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Very Calming

I loved listening to this book, extremely calming, especially as a perfectionist first time mom.

8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Very helpful if you are losing your s@%#t

This book and No Bad Parents are so very helpful. I've been stressed out and missing the point. I so appreciate Lansbury's books.

8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
  • .
  • 04-07-16

Short & sweet

What did you love best about Elevating Child Care?


The book is like an experienced person telling you the things they wish they had known when they started. It sounds conversational, accessible, but packed with helpful tips that build on some founding principles and philosophies on child rearing.

This book is short, sweet, and to the point. Initially I debated whether I wanted to spend a book credit on this short book, I'm so glad I did. She could have easily fluffed the book with stories and anecdotes to make it a standard 8hr long listen, but I appreciate that she didn't.

Which character – as performed by Janet Lansbury – was your favorite?

The author did a great job of narrating this audiobook.

3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Wish I had this book when my daughter was born!

I really like this approach and it works! there's a lot less yelling at my house and my cooperation from my 4 yr old daughter. I'd highly recommended this book to any mom!

3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent Parenting Strategys

I love the RIE approach to raising babies, and Janet Lansbury is able to keep it simple but be thorough in her book. Audible books has made my sleepless nights much easier ;)

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A beautiful gift!

Janet Lansbury writes plainly and eloquently about the relationship between caregiver/parent and child. Through her vision of babies/children as whole people I've began the painful and life-changing process of updating my own outdated beliefs. I can begin to see a clearer path to a genuine, enduring connection with my little humans. This book is a gem that I wish I had before my three kids were born and one that I will continue to gift to new parents. Thank you, Janet!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

I needed this.

I'm new to gentle parenting, and when I saw this audio book, I was excited. it meet all my needs, worries and concerns! Some of the things she said, I had to take a second to take in. I've never heard anything more REAL in my life. this is a must hear!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Almost there

I love the emphasis on respect but don't agree about what respect looks like. for example, baby talk is play, not demeaning.

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Best parenting advice out there

Would you listen to Elevating Child Care again? Why?

This is such a deeply empathetic approach to child care, it actually made me reflect on my relationships with everyone else around me. Not only that, but implementing these observation and non-interventional techniques into my parenting turned out to be good approaches to dealing with others too. It gives your kids, you, and those around you the chance to do their own best work and find empowerment though the success they found themselves. It sounds backward, but it's not. It's the best parenting advice I've ever received.

1 person found this helpful

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Firefly19
  • Firefly19
  • 08-23-22

excellent book! really resonated with me

really useful book. every parent should read it. it really resonated with me. provides useful tips and coping mechanisms for the toodler years

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Janine Doggett
  • Janine Doggett
  • 04-14-22

Excellent ideas and soothing narration

Love the podcast and this book is helpful in underpinning. Has helped me so much a new mum thank you JL.

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for MR J M FITZGERALD
  • MR J M FITZGERALD
  • 02-24-22

So helpful!

This book is excellent. Janet has so many wonderful ideas to share to parent with respect. I’m so grateful
I found her. This type of parenting resonates with me most. Thanks Janet!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for MB
  • MB
  • 01-23-22

Brilliant book!

Reading this audio book has given me confidence in my parenting, and has already solved issues and supported us as a family. I had a great childhood, but parenting without a guide on how to cope or approach difficult times has meant we've struggled and become frustrated and in turn our child has pushed even more boundaries. We felt exhausted. I highly recommend this book, parenting is fun again, I wish I had read it earlier!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Zee zee
  • Zee zee
  • 12-06-21

Life changing

There is so much conflicting advice on how to raise a child, but this is the only book I have read that made real sense without the nonsense. It has completely changed how I parent my son and I believe it’s the best way forward in raising the future generations to be confident and emotionally stable.

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for G.H.
  • G.H.
  • 11-08-21

Insightful view on caring for your baby and child

Eye opening point of view regarding caring for your children. Made me realise how much more I can do to make my baby and child feel respected and make their lives more pleasant by making small adjustments in our fault lives.
The storyline is really taking you along in the approach. Also recommend her other book, blog and podcasts for bite sizes chunks of parenting help 🙂

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for mahi
  • mahi
  • 11-03-21

Brilliant

This is the best parenting book I have read so far. Totally recommend it to any new parent. I wish I had read it before my son was born

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Miss Finnie
  • Miss Finnie
  • 08-18-21

Respectful parenting

An insightful, reassuring and practical book on how to be a respectful parent and raise happy, confident children. It makes so much sense and I have been able to put into practice Janet/Magda’s parenting philosophy immediately and to great effect. An excellent reminder of why boundaries are important, all emotions should be allowed (not to be distracted from, removed to another room or shouted at) and that children are competent, intelligent and remarkable little beings.
An easy and accessible reading of a great book.

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Nicola Carruthers
  • Nicola Carruthers
  • 06-06-21

enlightening approach, highly recommend

Fantastic philosophy and guidance. after I found RYE through a parenting support group I looked for this title and enjoyed listening to, and processing, all of the information and "non-conventional" approaches. As I live in a remote part of Africa away from day care and schools I have had to learn to fill those roles whilst still doing my job which is sometimes challenging; once I started using RYE techniques from this book I noticed an almost immediate change in my son and our relationship - for the better.
would thoroughly recommend.

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Elsa
  • Elsa
  • 03-12-21

Just fantastic

Love it in every single chapter. I am amazed. Thank you Janet for this book

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for JULIANA
  • JULIANA
  • 09-29-16

Interesting book but be cautious about advices

The book presents some really good and important points such as respect, connection, acceptance that actually makes the reading worth. From this point of view I would definitely recommend this book
However I would be very cautious with some of the advices here. The book is based on Magda Gerber and although have clear valid points it is NOT BASED on the last RESEARCHS or science facts found about babies' brain and parenting. Therefore some of advices such as not wearing baby as much or comforting with touch for instance dismiss some important aspects about oxytocin. Suggesting leaving a baby crying for short periods to take a shower for example clearly doesn't cover some of the issues that distress can create on infants' brain, etc. Just pointing few exemples here. Also what she says about conditioning the baby with our habits seems totally wrong for me. (For instance The babies learn to like being rocked on womb not in our arms! Rocking is just a natural transition to outside world, therefore instinctive!)
Also touching is such an important aspect of parenting and although the tone of voice it's obviously important, nothing it's like touching and cuddling a baby! And this is an instinctive parenting need! The book can lead to a different perception and that's what worries me with good intentioned parents reading this book...

16 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Anonymous User
  • Anonymous User
  • 03-18-18

simple, practical and respectful

loved it... the mother daughter parts - beautiful... the ending particularly poignant and resonated x

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Danny
  • Danny
  • 05-08-23

In summary - tell your baby what your doing and they’ll be angles

I know this goes against the general consensus for other reviews but… the book simply tells you in a myriad of different ways to be respectful and talk to your child. Most of this should be common sense to treat your child like a human being not an object. However it also spins the usual woke rubbish of not changing diapers of child resists even if poo is dripping out the side. It also falsely implies that by simply talking to your child they will be perfect and not subject to tantrums, but if they do have tantrums celebrate it…

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Anonymous User
  • Anonymous User
  • 01-03-23

Immediately shift in my connection to my 10 month son

Today I finally SAW my son. An individual, intelligent, reliant but not helpless, communicating whole being. It just lit up his face and we connected several times today more than we every had his whole life.
Communication gives power and this perspective on parenting is giving me my joy in parenting. I highly recommend this book. Wish it could be translated to more languages to share with family.

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Nela Kordich
  • Nela Kordich
  • 12-30-22

Practical yet respectful to child's emotions

Janet is THE one & only parenting guide needed for the mum's who value helping their children develop into resilient, confident and safely attached humans!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Anonymous User
  • Anonymous User
  • 06-13-22

Perfect

I can’t thank Janet enough for writing this book. It’ll be forever my go-to as a reminder of how GREAT parenting is and can be.

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Anonymous User
  • Anonymous User
  • 04-22-21

most eye opening parenting book!

a parenting style that really makes sense in any stage of life. just has to be right giving our kids respect and acknowledging feelings so why not start from day 1. brilliant Janet, thankyou!!!!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Kate
  • Kate
  • 04-06-21

Best parenting book ever!

As the parent of a toddler I would recommend this to any new parent or anyone caring for infants and toddlers.
A practical guide to parenting respectfully that just makes sense.

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Anonymous User
  • Anonymous User
  • 03-31-21

Amazing - every parent should listen!

So grateful to have found the respectful parenting approach and Janet Lansbury - after both listening to this book and reading further on her website etc, my fiance and I are feeling really well equipped to handle first time parenting with this amazing guidance and advice. Our minds are truly blown!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Anonymous User
  • Anonymous User
  • 11-09-20

highly recommended!!!

I'm mother to a 1 month old and this book is invaluable for the start of our relationship as mother and child 💝 bless the author and her inspiration.