Just Tell Me What to Say: Sensible Tips and Scripts for Perplexed Parents

Thank goodness! This is NOT another "Raise-Your-Child-According-To-Me" book. Betsy assumes you already know a little something about parenting and can handle most day-to-day situations. But she also knows that we're all going to get stuck occasionally wondering about the right thing to say. THIS is when you pick up her book and look for help -- and you WILL find it. It's brilliant! Think of it as WD-40 for the parenting brain.

This book is heaven-sent! I had been combing the shelves for books that would help me find the way to talk to my son in an age-appropriate way (he's 4) about death and the life-cycle, and hadn't found anything that seemed right to me. Then I came across this book which not only gave me an overview about how to discuss death, but provided a "script" that I could use. Happily, the entire book is as useful and I found myself using the scripts for situations that I hadn't expected to find myself in, the very week I bought the book! I highly recommend this book for parents who are looking for the appropriate words to use and tone to take with their kids but aren't quite sure of the best approach. The writing is terrific and her point of view and perspective are sensible and open-minded. I've already sent the link for the book to every mom I know, and I've had it on my night-stand so I can use it as a refresher whenever I need it. A must have!

I find myself referencing this book several times a day, everyday! It is an invaluable resource that has already made me a better parent and has helped our lives to run much more smoothly in the midst of raising 2 small children in a complicated world. Thanks to Betsy Brown Braun for making the world of parenting a much better place.

Before I picked up this book, as any parent, I thought I already had a lot of the answers. After all, I'd already survived one teenager. From page one of Just Tell Me What to Say, I didn't have enough answers, and thankfully, this book would give me them all. Throughout the chapters of Just Tell Me What to Say, I found a treasure trove of information and advice, many things I did not have in my parent arsenal of answers... but do now! By the end of the book, I felt empowered, ready to take on questions from my toughest toddler, and comforted by the fact that I have an invaluable resource handy, should I need to deal with more sensitive issues like illness and death. Just Tell Me What to Say covers it all, from sex to divorce, to rudeness in public and picky eaters. The author, Betsy Brown Braun, provides tips and scripts, and oodles of advice, written in a fun, friendly, "parent to parent" style that's easy to identify with and comprehend. Ms. Braun is truly an expert and her advice, priceless. I could go on and on praising the merits of this book, but in a nutshell-I'm convinced Just Tell Me What to Say is a book that every parent and childcare professional needs. Get a copy and read it today, you'll be grateful you did...and your children will be, too.

Oh, I wish I'd had this book when my daughter was younger! It is directed at parents of kids aged 2 to 6. Maybe for her next book Betsy Brown Braun could do a book for kids aged 14 to 16. My daughter's 14th birthday was yesterday. Betsy, please hurry. "Just Tell Me What To Say" is just that: a collection of situations with scripts of what to say to kids. It is calm, wise and completely honest. It has great advice. On the topic of swearing, for example, tips include suggesting funny alternative words to swear words ("Fooey-spitooey!" "Rats!") and that parents should never wash out a child's mouth with soap. Chapters: 1. SMALL TALK IS BIG TALK. Communicating with your children 2. "TOMMY JUST DOESN'T LISTEN." Discipline do's and don'ts 3. "IT'S ALL MOLLY'S FAULT." Sibling issues 4. "HOW MANY BITES `TIL I CAN GET DESSERT?" Children's eating habits and behaviors 5. "GET YOUR FINGER OUT OF YOUR NOSE!" Manners and social graces 6. "IT'S NOT FAIR!" Day-to-day parenting dilemmas 7. "HOW DID THE BABY GET IN YOUR TUMMY?" Learning about the Birds and the Bees 8. "WHY DID MOMMY'S HAIR FALL OUT?" Talking about serious illness 9. "WHY IS MY GOLDFISH FLOATING IN THE TOILET?" Learning about death 10. "MOMMY AND DADDY HAVE SOMETHING TO TELL YOU." Talking with your children about divorce 11. "IS THE FIRE GOING TO COME TO OUR HOUSE?" Answering questions about natural disasters, terrorism and war.