It Works for Us

A compilation of hundreds of hints, advice, suggestions, comments, and first-hand experiences from hundreds of parents on how to raise a child

There are countless books written by doctors, child psychologists, and behavioral experts that espouse an analytical approach to parenting, but when a tiny tot is crying at 3 a.m. because there are monsters in the closet, rational problem solving rarely works. Monster spray, however, does: simply fill a spray bottle with slightly-perfumed water and apply around bed, closets, or other areas partial to nocturnal spooks--they hate the aroma and it's sure to drive them away for good (or at least for the night). This is just one piece of useful advice included in Kid Tips, an invaluable compendium of experience culled by Tom McMahon from letters he has received from parents and grandparents over the past decade. For instance, to wean a child off of a pacifier, try confining its use to the crib. It's there if they want it, but the inconvenience may convince them they don't need it after all. (Tying it to a doorknob can have the same effect.) For air travel with toddlers, plan bottle feedings around takeoffs and landings to relieve ear pressure. When a child graduates to baby food, try using two spoons to feed; you can use one, while baby grabs the other. (This is also effective when trying to brush their teeth--give them a toothbrush to hold.)

Whether it's teething, soothing sibling relations, or establishing bedtime rituals, Kid Tips offers over one thousand field-tested and proven methods for rearing newborns to 10-year-olds, all straight from the real experts: parents.