Customer Reviews

The Pocket Parent

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In December, the Chicago-based author of this book spoke to parents and teachers in our school district where she received a standing ovation. She totally WOWed us with her enlightening, encouraging and very entertaining style. Those same three words describe her easy reference very popular guidebook (with almost 100,000 copies in print).

"Pocket Parent" is quite unique and very well-priced--considering the wealth of information and friendly support offered between its 400 hundred pages...all targeted to moms AND dads with children in a most challenging 4-year age span...2's, 3's, 4's and 5's.

This book offers clearly organized, very specific information on a variety of behaviors with compassion, experience, and humor.

THE POCKET PARENT is designed for busy parents to refer to as needed--each chapter stands alone. It is written in quick bullets of information rather than paragraphs so you do not have to read the entire book cover to cover to get a couple of ideas to try immediately (or later as things calm down).

The practical information is combined with insight and long term understanding towards successfully changing behavior...both the child's and the parent's.

"Pocket Parent" is literally a pocket-sized (4" X 8") A-Z guide, addressing every challenging situation you can think of such as...Anger, Bad Words, Bedtime, Biting, "Gimmes", Hitting, Interrupting, Listening, Lying, Mealtime, Morning "Crazies", Potty Training, Power Struggles, Tantrums, Time-Outs that aren't working...and much more.

I keep this book handy on my bedside table--ready to give me some strategies to try for the next day... along with a much needed "verbal hug" when I'm feeling guilty that I've been a frazzled, failure of a mother earlier that day. "Pocket Parent" is definitely NOT preachy nor condescending from "holier than thou" experts. The authors include many humorous anecdotes (some personal regarding their own children) that truly hit home from beginning to end. Those are my favorite parts of this book.

I highly recommend this comprehensive, parent-friendly reference book that offers sanity saving advice and support from beginning to end.

"The Pocket Parent" is a wonderful, easy-to-access resource, which parents of preschoolers will surely refer to again and again. It offers practical, hands-on suggestions for handling many challenging, everyday parenting situations-often even supplying the words that parents can use. Readers will recognize themselves and their children in the real-life anecdotes the authors have chosen to illustrate their sound advice.

I love many features of this book, but one of my favorites is the "Take Heart" section in every chapter. Each begins with "You're not the only parent who...," and offers reassurance (and alternative strategies) to parents who may feel they've "blown" a parenting situation.

I highly recommend this book. In fact, I predict that it will become a classic-trusted and frequently used by parents of two-to-five-year-olds.

-- Blakely Bundy, M.Ed., Executive Director of the Winnetka Alliance for Early Childhood and President-Elect of the Chicago Metropolitan Association for the Education of Young Children

Great little book, very practical and easy to find answers in. I only just started reading it but I definitely looks like a keeper.Highly recommended!

This is a great book that has really helped me get more cooperation from my 4-year-old...the FIRST time I ask. I totally appreciated the author's humor! I love the size of the book and quick read format ...perfect to take with, always ready to give me a tip to try and at the same time a reassuring 'verbal hug' that no parent or child is perfect. Great gift for any mother or father of a 2- to 5-year-old that can use some sanity!! Just look it up...ANGER, BEDTIME, BITING, BAD WORDS, GIMMES, I HATE YOU'S, INTERRUPTING, LYING, MORNING CRAZIES, SIBLING RIVALRY, TANTRUMS, AND MUCH MORE!

With my daughter in her oh so terrible two's and a new baby boy to care for, I needed something that could give me quick, easy insight on how to handle my daughter and all her little issues. The Pocket Parent gives me some of the best techniques and coping mechanisms from parents who actually have tested and employed them. I recommend this book to just about everyone-Moms, Dads, Grandparents, etc. Thank you Caroline! How about a video series next?

"Parenting can be a long, lonely road on those days when you're quite sure that no parent has ever gone through what you're going through. 'The Pocket Parent' gives you support and humor, in kind and caring suggestions and stories, to help you find your way. It doesn't preach. Instead, it points to options we may not have tried. As the father of three young children, I knew the moment I picked it up that it would be dog-eared and highlighted in a matter of days. 'The Pocket Parent' is simply the best book on parenting that I've ever read.''

I find this book to be immensely helpful with the everyday struggles I face as a parent. The authors give multiple strategies so I can find the ones that will suit my situation. Aside from the appropriate and helpful advice, the book's greatest selling point is how easy it is to use. It literally provides parenting problems with excellent solutions in accessible alphabetical order (in a convenient size to carry in your bag).

I have finally found the book I have been looking for! It is perfectly sized to consult at a moment's notice; all you have to do is look it up...40 worrisome issues are addressed such as ANGER, BEDTIME, BAD WORDS, CHORES, DEATH, FEARS AT NIGHT, THE "GIMMES", LYING, MEALTIME, MORNING "CRAZIES", POTTY TRAINING, SEPARATION ANXIETY, TANTRUMS, WHINING, and more. It is written the way friends talk to each other...with compassion, humor and excellent practical advice. The format is geared to busy parents-- hundreds of quick bits of wit and wisdom to help a parent restore his or her sanity! The authors call the bullets of tips..."Sanity Savers". I love the short anecdotes that illustrate the skills, often demonstrating the exact words to try in order to communicate more effectively with a preschooler. I found myself laughing out loud as I recognized myself and my children in the many examples of daily battles. I love the "Take heart" section in each chapter that reassures parents that they are not the only ones who sometimes regret what they have said or done. We all need to hear that sort of thing over and over again. Many of the sensible suggestions have been working for us. I highly recommend this book; it is the only quick-read A-Z book for parents of pre-schoolers that I have found on the market.

I currently have twins about to turn 3, as well as a 6 year old and a 1 year old. Needless to say, the practical advice found in this book is priceless. Having looked at several books on parenting, this book stands out because of it's simple style, yet completeness in covering the topics addressed.

For all of the main areas that most parents have to deal with (tantrums, potty training, getting kids to bed, etc) this book has a section devoted to it - first with a simple question and answer dealing with the issue. Then, a list of tons of practical suggestions, briefly written with entertaining examples - this is the real meat of the book in my opinion - it's like all of the practical advice everyone has ever given on a topic is condensed into that part of this book. Then, each section ends with a bottom line conclusion. These "bottom lines" basically act as that little bit of support every parent needs to deal with the frustration of having kids.

My bottom line is: this book is a really great resource. It definitely makes the perfect gift for new parents, or even as a parent gift for the kids' birthdays. Believe me, a parent will appreciate it!

As a parent of a strong-willed preschooler, The Pocket Parent is THE place to go for all the answers! The A to Z format allows me to pinpoint an issue I'm having with my child, whether it's anger, mealtime issues, tantrums etc., then I flip to the right page for some very positive and easy-to-follow advice with a touch of humor. The book is filled with personal anecdotes...some made me laugh, some touched me profoundly..all were very insightful.
This is the best parenting resource book I've found. It's easy and enjoyable to read. Best of all, it's so warmly-written and supportive, it's like getting a big reassuring hug with every turn of the page.
Thanks to Gail Reichlin and Caroline Winkler for a terrific book filled with practical, sanity-saving wisdom. It's perfect for any parent or caregiver of young children!