We are parents of 5 kids aged 3 to 14. From my own experience, I can say there are a lot of great insights in this book that would have been helpful my first time around this rodeo, however a lot of it is based on common sense. Reading through this, I sort of got the impression that a parent with enough patience will sort of figure out most of this on their own eventually anyway, there wasn't a lot of unique perspective in my opinion. Also, it ends right before things really get complicated- teenage years. I'm dealing with that now and its a bizarre new world that isn't covered at all in this book. That being said, I DID find her voice to be genuine and from a place of experience and love, and can I take a moment to comment on the illustrations? I LOVED the illustrations, just looking at the cover makes me laugh out loud (kudos, kid with dinosaur costume eating child who is playing on phone's head, and drooling saliva down the side- ROFL). All in all, its a good read, and probably something I'd recommend to new parents before this book is relevant. Read more

From what I've read of it so far it seems very well written well thought-out covers a lot of different scenarios from slightly different points of view . I like that the writer doesn't come off like she's instructing you kind of like a friend giving advice . It has come in handy with and almost two and a half year old and a just turned 1 year old my daughter has had her hands full. I figured this book would be perfect for both of us a kind of refresher course for me. A few of the tips and strategies are things you may or may not know already but some steps are definitely things that even if you know it's a good thing to see them in black and white in front of you as a reminder. It handles a serious subject with just a touch of humour here in there which can also come in handy when you're having a horrible day with a couple of little ones, and having a day where nothing seems to be going right or the kids attitudes are bigger than you are. Also it helps to keep it from being just an instruction manual the writer keeps it interesting enough so you want to read more. She tells stories of her dealings then points out where she went wrong, instead of "if you do this" type of writing. I kind of like the temperament temperature chart or scale that they have in there. Some off the things she brings up or points out are things that I have given ad advice and she's asked me for advice but sometimes when it's coming from your mom even when you're an adult you just don't hear it as well as if you get it from somewhere else. Especially written the way she doesn't wear she points out that and I've done this a few times myself be able to see it in black and white like that from a total stranger it just seems to have a different impact. And as always when it comes to Children's some of the ideas work and some of them don't each child is different not any one thing is going to always work with all of them. Read more

I really like the format of the book Growing Pains: A Parent's Guide to Child Development. Sections are labeled in a different color and larger font, so it seems less overwhelming. There’s a chapter for each year ages 4-10. I definitely learned a lot about why my son does the things he does, plus tips for navigating each year and ways to keep him safe. Definitely recommend the book! Read more