Parenting: 150 Key Ideas for Raising Your Kids

Dr. Patricia Nan Anderson's new book feels like a warm cup of tea with a friend

Dr. Patricia Nan Andersons’ New Book features “150 Key Ideas for Raising Successful, Well-Adjusted and Confident Kids ”

For some time I have subscribed to a particular mommy-oriented list serve that offers moms the opportunity to reach out to each other when parenting challenges arise. In theory, a very good idea, but in practice, the thornier the problem, the more likely I want answers from someone I can trust, not a random stranger.

That’s why, when a really tough question came up a while back, I immediately thought of Dr. Patricia Nan Anderson, a highly-respected parenting educator and consultant based in the Seattle area. I forwarded the question to her, hoping she might blog about it.

I didn’t have the problem myself, but I could easily imagine it coming up. And I’m quite sure that should I ever have an issue with my child having befriended a bully who used him as a sidekick, I’d want some some pretty kick-ass advice on how to deal with it - NOW.

That’s why I was so excited to get my shiny new copy of Dr. Andersons’ just-released book, Parenting: A Field Guide, Now, thanks to this book, I have a way to access her thoughtful, informed advice any time.

First, I love that it is divided into helpful sections like “Brothers & Sisters” (check!) and “Sleeping” (check!), and most intriguing of all “Friends & Enemies”.

I also like that it’s meant to be read in small bits. Who has the time to read a whole book at once anyway? Instead you can read just a page or two at a time, starting with those that are most relevant to where you and your kids are.

Finally, Dr. Anderson’s writing style feels like having a warm cup of tea with a friend. After just a few pages I somehow felt calmer and more relaxed. Must be that her special magic is meant for us grown-ups too.