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Original Essays | December 12, 2009

Alexander McCall Smith: IMG The Courage of Others



I have recently written a novel about life in England during the Second World War. I felt some concern before I tackled this theme — the War... Continue »
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4 Beaverton Humor- Narrative

The Three-Martini Playdate: A Practical Guide to Happy Parenting

by Christie Mellor

The Three-Martini Playdate: A Practical Guide to Happy Parenting Cover

Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments:

Sure the world has changed from the days when children were supposed to be seen and not heard — but how did they suddenly take charge? And who invented the high-maintenance "playdate" instead of just letting their kid go outside and play? Parents: you were here first! You're entitled to some fun and quality time of your own. Author Christie Mellor's hilarious, personal, refreshing, and actually quite useful advice delightfully rights the balance between parent and child. In dozens of short, wickedly funny chapters, she skewers today's parental absurdities and reminds us how to make child-rearing a kick. With recipes, helpful hints, and illustrations, this high-spirited book is the only book parents will really need — and enjoy.

Review:

"Mellor, mother of 'two darling little angels,' tells parents it's time take back their lives — and their right to have a few cocktails at a child's midday birthday party. With chapters such as 'Bedtime: Is Five-Thirty Too Early?' and 'Screaming: Is It Necessary?,' the author lays out a plan for parents to enjoy themselves and not be slaves to their children while still offering their kids a warm, nurturing environment. Mellor's advice has a retro twang, and is always wry and often quite funny, standing in sharp contrast to the guidance normally found in books of its kind. The author urges readers to recruit children to pitch in with household chores ('Three years old is not too soon to start learning the fundamentals of decent vacuuming') and thinks excessively childproofing a home is ridiculous, since kids find a way to open complicated locks anyway ('You might as well festoon all your drawers and cabinets with brightly colored flags that say 'Hey, You! Kid! Fun and Danger in Here!''). Mellor's guide will surely be a boon to parents in need of some 'grown-up time.'" Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

Review:

"Mellor's advice has a retro twang, and is always wry and often quite funny, standing in sharp contrast to the guidance normally found in books of its kind....Mellor's guide will surely be a boon to parents in need of some 'grown-up time.'" Publishers Weekly

Review:

"Harried mothers who have given over their lives to their adorable little angels, beware: This book is the equivalent of a cocktail in the face....The empowerment is almost unbearable!" Chicago Sun-Times

Synopsis:

Dozens of short, wickedly funny chapters skewer today's parental absurdities and remind us how to make child-rearing a kick. Mellor's hilarious, refreshing and useful advice rights the balance between parent and child.

About the Author

Christie Mellor is an actress, screenwriter, and parent of two darling angels. She lives in Los Angeles.

Product Details

ISBN:
9780811840545
Subtitle:
A Practical Guide to Happy Parenting
Author:
Mellor, Christie
Publisher:
Chronicle Books
Location:
San Francisco
Subject:
Parenting
Subject:
Children
Subject:
American - General
Subject:
Child rearing
Subject:
Parenting - General
Series Volume:
working paper 9803
Publication Date:
May 2004
Binding:
Paperback
Language:
English
Illustrations:
Y
Pages:
143
Dimensions:
7.52x5.60x.45 in. .39 lbs.

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