When I bought this book I was just looking to be entertained but I find myself actually being encouraged to make sensible decisions for my children. The only downside is that my family is sick of me reading excerpts aloud to them.


The snarky parent's guide to raising kids   April 7, 2004
 11 out of 12 found this review helpful

Finally a no-nonsense book about raising children: Spare the snark, spoil the child. The author gives a hilarious discourse on such topics as school projects, manners, and bedtime. Her children will likely grow up to be self-sufficient - will yours? Read this book and they'll have a chance...or at least they'll grow up to be good bartenders.


Not just for Parents   May 2, 2004
 11 out of 13 found this review helpful

Finally! A voice of reason cries out! What an eye opener! How did these little terror tykes get hold of the keys to the asylum? Ms. Mellor gives 21st century parents plenty of common sense advice along with hilarious, highly useful, and practical information about dealing with the little people. The book unfolds with wonderful wit, warmth, and affection. A real hoot for even the crabby old bachelor or stuffy spinster who lives across the street. A must if you know at least one kid and you really to laugh.


Ahhh, the good old days   May 23, 2004
 11 out of 12 found this review helpful

Christie Mellor provides a wonderfully funny view of life with children then and now. Seeing the reality of the now makes you yearn for the good old days of our youth. She also provides the delightful illustrations on the cover and throughout the book.
She's right on when it comes to the parents of today and hilarious in her reminicences of the child rearing of the past. A great read. Highly recommended to anyone with kids AND a sense of humor.


Cheap Imitation of Miss Manners   April 17, 2004
 10 out of 89 found this review helpful

The title is hilarious, but once you get past this, it's a second-rate [version] of a writing style perfected by Judith Martin in books like "Miss Manner's Guide to Raising Perfect Children." Mellor's comic references to children serving their hard-working parents cocktails are amusing at first, but soon grow tiresome. Mellor comically enshrines alcohol consumption as the ultimate adult pleasure. But she ignores the unfunny, dangerous and skyrocketing issue of binge drinking among teenagers, which this book could inadvertently reinforce. I realize Mellor's intent is not serious, but it underscores the wrong values. This book would never sell if it were called, "The Three-Marlboro Playdate" and emphasized the joys of parents smoking cigarettes together while their well-bred children provided ashtrays, dumped the butts, and then ran along to play among themselves.

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