Practical Wisdom for Parents: Demystifying the Preschool Years

This is an excellent and easy read for parents of young children. It is full of solid, practical advice and loads of wisdom about preschoolers and the preschool experience that I have not seen in other books. It would make a much appreciated addition to most young parents' library - tuck it in with the other books on baby care for a really useful baby shower gift!

This is a Must Read for anyone with children between the ages of 2-5. The authors give sound practical advise that will benefit any parent. If you have to pick one book on parenting this should be it.

I admit that I have a bias. I picked up this book knowing the two authors, because my daughter attended the nursery school they direct. Because I knew them personally, I expected to get sensible, useful advice -- with some humor -- and that's exactly what this book provides. I sat down and read the book from beginning to end, but it's arranged by topic, so it makes a great reference book, too. You can easily turn to "talking about death" or "playing with guns" or whatever. One thing I love about the authors' perspective is that they aren't therapists, doctors, or specialists who see a subsection of kids. Their insights come from the fact that they've seen hundreds of ordinary kids go through nursery school. So when I read that my 2 1/2 year old should be able to take off her own coat, or give up her sippy cup, I know I can trust that. There's also interesting material on the emotional experiences of PARENTS with children going to nursery school. I'd never read a discussion of that before -- the crazy mix of emotion you feel when your child marches through the school door for the first time.

Loving parents of young children are beset by anxieties, constantly worrying that they are making mistakes which will resonate down the decades. Here at last is a book which will calm, inform and hearten. The authors have used their years of experience as educators of pre-school children in writing a book offering sensible advice and perceptive observations. There are no absolutes, no utterly rigid rules. Instead they offer genuinely practical wisdom which will encourage parents to relax and enjoy these most magical years. Ellen Birnbaum and Nancy Schulman have given readers a precious gift - the sense that everything will be all right and tomorrow is another day. One finishes reading this book feeling a more competent parent. If you have a young child then buy this for yourself. And if there is anyone you care about who is facing the challenge of parenting a pre-schooler then this is the perfect present.

This book is an invaluable guide to parents with small children. I don't think we could survive without it. There are just so many questions that new parents have and so few useful resources which both raise the issues important to parents and give sensible ways to deal with them. Thank you, Nancy Schulman and Ellen Birnbaum for your helpful advice, from a no longer anxious parent.