Your Kid's a Brat and It's All Your Fault

March 15, 2016
Sensible suggestions on how to raise your children so they don't become screaming brats who offend everyone around them. Former teacher and parenting advice columnist Glickman (Sacred Parenting: Jewish Wisdom for Your Family's First Years, 2009, etc.) writes that even though a toddler may appear to want that sugary treat at the checkout line or a tween really wants to wear a skimpy skirt to school, "what they really want are limits and boundaries and consistent expectations. What they want are opportunities to learn discipline, to demonstrate responsibility, to develop self-esteem, to earn self-respect and the respect of those around them." Beginning with toddlers and advancing through the tween years, Glickman gives levelheaded advice mixed with a healthy dose of humor to any parent who has cringed at their child's behavior: screaming in a store, running wildly through a restaurant, or throwing a temper tantrum at being denied anything. The author covers children interacting with pets, children who bite, picky eaters, clinging behavior, rudeness, and a host of other topics common to toddlers and preschoolers. By stopping bratty behavior at the earliest ages, parents are less likely to have issues later, but if spoiled and demanding performances are already part of the daily norm, Glickman reassures parents that there is still time to correct these matters. As children grow, the concerns shift; your tween may claim he or she is bored, won't turn off any number of electronic devices, or have begun to use inappropriate language. Glickman offers advice for these topics and numerous others. She also provides some handy checklists--e.g., "Helpful Phrases to Use with Your Kid" and "Jobs for Toddlers"--for easy access to quick information that should help parents get through almost any situation. Entertaining common-sense advice for parents to ensure that their children don't run amok.

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June 1, 2016
The parenting advice that columnist Glickman dispenses in this book is only slightly less provocative than her title, but that's no reason to dismiss the book as just another in the jokey mommy-blog tradition. Readers will find here a wealth of practical tips on how to deal with the usual childhood melodramas, delivered in an entertaining, informal style. Three sections cover toddlers and preschoolers, ages 5 to 10, and tweens. Glickman discusses typical issues most parents face at one time or another, such as kids who don't listen, kids who lie, homework problems, traveling issues, sassy talk and swearing, picky eating, and more. She doesn't pull any punchesswearing herself, when she needs toand uses her direct manner to instill confidence in parents, rather than put them down. Three appendixes ( Helpful Phrases to Use with Your Kid, Helpful Tasks to Give to Your Kid, and Real Life Q&A about Other People's Kids ) provide quick-and-dirty advice. Most parents will find this humorous guide refreshing and truly helpful.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)