May 2023 MBR The Parenting Shelf

The Parenting Shelf

Advanced Parenting
Kelly Fradin, MD
Balance
c/o Hachette Book Group
www.hachettebookgroup.com
Blackstone Audiobooks
www.blackstoneaudio.com
9781538722466, $29.00, HC, 336pp

https://www.amazon.com/Advanced-Parenting-Diagnoses-Differences-Challenges/dp/1538722461

Synopsis: Any parent who has ever walked out of a concerning appointment with their child's doctor or teacher has experienced a heady mix of emotions -- fear, love, confusion, concern, sadness, and perhaps even anger. While every parent hopes for a healthy child, the reality is that children face many common challenges, including medical issues like ADHD, asthma, food allergies, feeding issues, learning disabilities, anxiety, depression, and developmental delays, throughout their formative years. As the role of a parent becomes one of a caregiver, it can be overwhelming for parents and children alike, particularly if money, time, access, or any combination of those are in short supply.

For these parents, Dr. Kelly Fradin offers "Advanced Parenting: Advice for Helping Kids Through Diagnoses, Differences, and Mental Health Challenges", which is based on her experience as a complex-care pediatrician. In this crucial guide, parents will find empathy and support as well as evidence-based practical guidance. Of greatest import is the need for tools with which to manage the emotional stress that comes from having a child who deviates from the norm, as well as coping with uncertainty and navigating the business of care. Parents will discover ways to optimize the outcomes for their family and make their day-to-day life easier.

"Advanced Parenting" will help new families from the beginning of their journey, as well as helping even more experienced parents to decide when a child needs help, accepting the implications of a challenge, obtaining a correct diagnosis, learning about the issue, building a treatment team and coming up with a comprehensive plan. Dr. Fradin explores how a child struggling can affect the entire family dynamic including the parent's relationships and the siblings overall well-being, and with her experience as a complex care pediatrician, she will help parents avoid common mistakes. Parents will feel seen, supported, and better prepared to be both a parent and a caregiver.

Critique: Thoroughly 'parent friendly' in organized and presentation, "Advanced Parenting: Advice for Helping Kids Through Diagnoses, Differences, and Mental Health Challenges" is informatively enhanced for the reader with the inclusion of a two page bibliography of Further Reading, a four page listing of Acknowledgments, a six page listing of Resources, eight pages of Notes, and a two page Index. A welcome, exceptional, and unreservedly recommended addition to community and academic library Contemporary Parenting collections, it should be noted for personal reading lists that "Advanced Parenting: Advice for Helping Kids Through Diagnoses, Differences, and Mental Health Challenges" is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $14.99) and as a complete an unabridged audio book (Blackstone Audio, 9781668631034, $40.00, CD)

Editorial Note: Dr. Kelly Fradin (https://drkellyfradin.com) is a pediatrician and passionate advocate for children and parents. Originally from Charlotte, NC, she was inspired to become a doctor by her experience surviving childhood cancer. As a pediatrician, she has spent her career working with families in academic complex care, public health-oriented school programs and private practice. Her first book, "Parenting in a Pandemic: How to Help Your Family through COVID-19" helped to inform and empower parents during difficult times. She shares her advice on social media @AdviceIGiveMyFriends

Shut Up, Your Kid Is Not That Great
Jason Cole
Viva Editions
221 River Street, FL 9, Hoboken, New Jersey 07030
http://vivaeditions.com
9781632280831, $17.95, PB, 144pp

https://www.amazon.com/Shut-Your-Kid-That-Great/dp/1632280833

Synopsis: You love your kid. But, let's face it: no matter how much you praise them, your kid is most likely not the next child prodigy. Be that as it may, it's a fair certainty that the neighbors are tired of hearing about how the fruit of your loins got the lead in the school play or scored the most points in the last game when they are just trying to grab a burger at the barbecue.

With the publication of "Shut Up, Your Kid Is Not That Great", Jason Cole writes a cautionary warning about every parent who has ever tried to live vicariously through their child, or claim the title of "momager/dadager" at every possible extracurricular activity. Including parents who are serial social media boasters.

Filled with brief banter and featuring an inspiring introduction with Tom Brady Sr., "Shut Up, Your Kid Is Not That Great" is sure to add a much needed laugh or two to every parent's day!

Critique: Laced through with a sense of humor, of immense insightful value for parents (as well as beneficial to the children they parent), and absolutely appreciated by the unwilling recipients of parental boasting, "Shut Up, Your Kid Is Not That Great" is a unique, original, and highly recommended addition to community library Parenting collections. It should be noted for the personal reading lists of all parents tempted to unrealistic assessments of their child that "Shut Up, Your Kid Is Not That Great" is also readily available in a digital book format (Kindle, $9.99).

Editorial Note: Jason Cole has covered or written about pro football since 1992 and has been a selector for the Pro Football Hall of Fame since 2013. He has worked for publications such as Bleacher Report, Yahoo! Sports, The Miami Herald, and the Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel. Cole has authored Elway: a Relentless Life and co-authored six books, including Giant with Plaxico Burress, Heart for the Game with Simon Keith, and Ocho Cinco with Chad Johnson. Prior to covering the NFL, Cole covered the NBA, Major League Baseball, and high school sports in the San Francisco Bay Area. Cole teaches sports writing at the University of Florida and is the father of two Eagle Scouts.

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