How to Parent Like a Pediatrician and Keep Your Toddler Happy and Healthy
November 1, 2024
Pediatrician Diamond (Columbia Univ.; Parent Like a Pediatrician) focuses here on the preschool years, which can be challenging for parents, especially new ones. Her book covers some of the most common skirmishes that arise with preschool-aged children, as well as topics such as eating and sleeping schedules, picky eaters, and more. The author urges readers to simply ditch advice that doesn't work for them and ignore unrealistic parenting scripts in favor of incorporating mindfulness and humor and looking at the bigger picture. Her book shows readers how to create visual schedules for preschoolers and how to model and teach emotional skills to children. Science-based perspectives on childhood vaccine schedules, chemical sunscreens, and insect repellants are also presented. Some readers may not agree with all of Diamond's views--e.g., that toilet training is optional, or that vegetarianism can work for toddlers--but most of her advice comes across as common-sense. Thus, much of the book will likely reassure worried parents who are trying their best in a perfection-oriented culture. VERDICT Parents of toddlers will feel comforted by this medical perspective on the myriad of decisions they face daily.
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