Who's the Boss?
Moving Families from Conflict to Collaboration
Susan Glaser, M.A. and Arthur Lavin, M.D.
Collaboration Press

Who's in charge in your house? Are you at the end of your rope with kiddos who are problematic sleepers, finicky eaters or discipline problems? Having trouble with potty training? Sibling rivalry? Parent-child relations? Any one of these things can derail a perfectly good morning and set the tone for the day with your child (or children) if your not careful. Susan Glaser and Dr. Arthur Lavin know this and have dovetailed their collective expertise into a breezy, conversational read on how parents might solve these and other dilemmas. Who's the Boss? Moving Families from Conflict to Collaboration is a decent read -- filled with tidbits on sleep, discipline, eating, child care dilemmas and more.

These two local resources never preach to parents; the tone is welcoming in suggestion and hopeful for alleviation of key parental issues that often cause a rollercoaster ride of emotions. Glaser's work as Director of Early Childhood Services at the Cleveland JCC and written words (in Cleveland on Center) have long been a guiding force for parents. As for Lavin, a Beachwood pediatrician and consultant to local child-center CHABAM, he has over 20 years of experience in the field. Together, they've put together one heck of a read. It's quick, easy to follow, understand and implement. Like any parenting oeuvre, it is meant as a jumping-off point for those looking for solutions. Having a family shouldn't require stressful daily battles to achieve harmony; Who's the Boss? can help you find magnetic north in your search for it in your daily family life. It might also help you decide what parts of those other 37 parenting books you want to pick bits out of. Because we all know you don't want to have to read them all... because, well, you're a busy parent.

From Cool Cleveland Managing Editor Peter Chakerian peterATcoolcleveland.com

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