The Three-Martini Playdate A Practical Guide to Happy Parenting

by Mellor, Christie

• ISBN13: 9780811840545
• ISBN10: 0811840549
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2004-03-01
• Publisher: Chronicle Books

Summary

Parents were here first! How did the kids suddenly take control? Sure the world has changed from the days when children were supposed to be seen and not heard but things have gotten a little out of hand. What about some quality time for the grownups? 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.

Author Biography

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

Table of Contents

Introduction: In Praise of Grown-up Time	p. 11
Saying No to Your Child: It's a Kick!	p. 16
The Childproof House: How to Know If You've Gone Too Far	p. 22
Bedtime: Is Five-thirty Too Early?	p. 29
The Child at a Social Event	p. 32
Screaming: Is It Necessary?	p. 39
Your Child's Life: Now Available on DVD!	p. 42
Diaper Bag or Steamer Trunk?	p. 46
When It Is Time to Leave	p. 49
Children's Birthday Parties: Not Just for Children!	p. 54
The Family at Table	p. 61
Child Labor: Not Just for the Third World!	p. 68
Avoiding the Detritus of Childhood	p. 74
Preschool: The Fast Track to Harvard	p. 78
The Three-Martini Playdate	p. 82
Mommy, I Want a Puppy!	p. 87
"Children's Music": Why?	p. 94
Are We There Yet? On the Road with Max and Maddy	p. 101
School Days, School Days	p. 108
Self-Esteem and Other Overrated Concepts	p. 113
Karate, Little League, and Ballet: Your Child's Eighty-Hour Work Week	p. 117
Steppin' Out with My Baby	p. 121
Television: Is Six Hours a Day Too Much?	p. 126
Your Cost-Effective Tomboy	p. 130
Don't, Like, Waste My Time	p. 133
The Amazing Hands-Off Daddy	p. 136
Epilogue: Why Do We Have Children?	p. 141
Helpful Hints!
Etiquette for First-Time Parents	p. 14
When You Are the Victim of Your Own Child	p. 20
Practical Childproofing	p. 28
On Getting out the Door	p. 53
On Having Your Cooking Appreciated	p. 66
Fiscal Planning and Your Tooth Fairy	p. 72
For Your Listening Pleasure	p. 98
Entertainment on the Road	p. 105
On Helping Your Youngster with School Projects	p. 112
Do-It-Yourself After-School Enrichment Program	p. 120
Recipes
Our Little Tot's First Martini Recipe	p. 37
Lemonade for Grown-ups	p. 57
Weenie Fondue (For a Crowd)	p. 58
Devilish Eggs	p. 60
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