The City Parent Handbook: The Complete Guide to the Ups and Downs and Ins and Outs of Raising Young Kids in the City

For adults, the frenetic pace, constant movement, and variety of cultural, social, and retail offerings of life in a big city can be as exhilarating as a day at Disneyland. But, for an unprepared parent, those very same attributes can make raising small children in the city as jarring as a ride on Magic Mountain. Fortunately, family life in an urban setting can be a stimulating and enriching experience, just as long as parents are armed with the information they need to navigate the unique waters of city life and kids.
THE CITY PARENT HANDBOOK: The Complete Guide to the Ups and Downs and Ins and Outs of Raising Young Kids in the City (A Rodale Trade Paperback Original; Publication Date: September 1, 2004; Price: $17.95) by Kathy Bishop and Julia Whitehead is a practical advice book, reference guide, and survival manual all rolled into one. Written with insight and humor by two New

York City mothers, it provides invaluable information from a slew of experts across the country as well as insider tips that can come only from those who have been there. Geared to people just considering raising kids in a city as well as to parents who already shiver with night sweats over how to get in to that great city school or whether they will be evicted because their tots are being, well tots, it provides the city spin on a plethora of child-rearing topics.
Starting with finding the right neighborhood for raising little ones, authors Bishop and Whitehead walk readers through virtually every imaginable aspect of child rearing in urban areas. Part One deals with the all-important basics: the fundamentals of family apartment living; staying sane in small spaces; handling those urban health hazards and safety issues; and the nuances of city childcare. Part Two takes the reader out and about, providing a primer on playgrounds; ways to help kids connect with nature and fitness when open spaces are in short supply (of course, it includes a list of the best city pets); tactics on getting around with kids in tow-from strollers to breastfeeding-on-the-go; ideas for making the most of city culture and all things entertainment, including museums, performing arts, theatre, ethnic celebrations and dining out. And it deals with the psychosocial impacts a city can have on even the youngest children, giving advice on how to turn the potential negatives of city exposure - jadedness, rudeness, intolerance - into the character-forming experiences you always hoped to offer your child. Part three focuses on education, providing ground rules valuable to any parent dealing with the urban education conundrum, a solid digest of the basics of private and public city systems and actions the smart city parent should take to obtain a great education for their child.
Throughout THE CITY PARENT HANDBOOK are helpful "City Savvy Tips," "City Parent Rules," "Urban A-Lists," and "City Wise Warnings," which deliver constructive, real-life suggestions and information including:
̈The four rules for choosing the best city neighborhood for your family
̈Ten must-haves for making the most of storage in cramped quarters
̈How and why you must talk the ER talk with your pediatrician
̈Why urban lead is more of a problem than you may have thought, and the easy steps you can take to protect your child against poisoning
̈Three critical rules for negotiating traffic with children, and the stupid but common traffic moves that need to be avoided at all costs
̈Potentially lifesaving lessons to teach children and caregivers about fire safety
̈Why city caregiving is different and what you need to know to make it work (questions you should ask during interviews, how to work with a nanny who doesn't speak your language, where to find the best caregiving for your family and how to make sure everyone flourishes).
̈What private school admissions directors look for when deciding whether to admit

KATHY BISHOP is currently an editorial consultant for Meredith Publishing and Founding Editor of NYU Alumni Magazine. In her twenty year career, she has worked for a variety of publications including Mode, the New York Post, Harper's Bazaar, Elle and Marie Claire. She lives and parents in New York City.

JULIA WHITEHEAD, also a Big Apple mom, is president of the strategic and financial consulting firm Pearson Enterprises.