The Three-Martini Playdate: A Practical Guide to Happy Parenting

First, for those who missed it, the comments about martinis are tongue-in-cheek.I laughed out loud over some of the reviews which describe the author as not liking children or being intolerant of other parenting techniques, because I *KNOW* what those people's kids are like. The author does not dislike children nor is it alternate parenting techniques she is intolerant of--it's the whiny, spoiled rotten brats they produce she doesn't like.I'm pediatrician who's been in practice a long time, and I spend all day with kids who cover the spectrum. I love kids. I hate whining. Here's a news flash for some parents--most kids are not actually whiny! Find that hard to believe? Then yours probably are.This is actually my single favorite parenting manual. Yes, there's a lot of hyperbole, but the underlying message, that kids should join your world and not take over the universe, is one that a lot of parents don't seem to understand these days. This book gives parents permission to set boundries, to actually take some personal time and to plan activities for themselves, not just their kids, without feeling guilty about it. Happier adults with balanced interesting lives make much better parents.So, if you want to raise a self-centered, whiny pill of a child incapable of entertaining himself, sleeping in his own bed or calming himself down without breast feeding when he's four or five, who thinks that saying the words "excuse me" is a free pass to interrupting adult conversation, and who believes the entire adult population was put on the world to cater to his every whim (and god knows apparently a lot of you do, because you seem to put a lot of time and energy into it) this really isn't the book for you.If, on the other hand, you want to raise a happy, healthy, responsible, self-confident child who understands that life should be balanced, doesn't argue endlessly when you say "no", says "please" and "thank you" when you're at friends' houses, who you can take to a restaurant without worrying about how she's going to behave, who eats the well-balanced dinner you've spent a chunk of your evening preparing, who is capable of entertaining herself for an hour or so (without turning on the television!) while you do other things, who goes to bed at night without tantrums and most of all who your friends and family enjoy being around, then you're going to love this book.And no, I don't expect kids to be perfect--far from it! But I do expect them to be raised with some modicum of boundaries and manners. And I expect parents not to completely give up their adult lives and relationships. For what it's worth, there are far more pleasant than unpleasant children around, but boy, can the unpleasant ones ruin an afternoon, dinner out, or a family gathering!!No, it's not a manual of precise techniques (for that, check out the Super Nanny website--Jo has a lot of good videos there) to suddenly tame the child you've let run your life for however many years, but it's an important book about the role children should play in a family.As I tell my patients' parents, yes, your child should BE the center of your universe, and they should feel safe and secure in life and in their relationship with you, but they shouldn't BELIEVE they're the center of the universe. Otherwise, they're in for a really rude awakening later. Raising children other people don't enjoy being around does the kids a huge disservice. Not to mention the rest of society who has to interact with them.

American suburbia is teeming with spoiled rotten tots who make their parents and those around them miserable. How refreshing to read this tongue-in-cheek yet quite serious parody of a parenting book. When pregnant with my first child I read reams of parenting books until I realized that there is something out there to validate whatever your parenting style happens to be.The Three Martini Playdate offers a delightful, 50's retro-styled tome with advice as wacky as how to teach your 5-year-old to mix his first martini, to some as wise and practical as how to avoid going insane listening to insipid "children's music". The sweetly condescending eastern-standard tone of the book, coupled with Dick-and-Jane style drawings add to the book's charm. The chapter on child-proofing is especially hilarious. This book would make a wonderful gift for many modern mothers, but might be taken the wrong way (or frighten) brand-new or expecting parents.

Christie Mellor hit the nail right on the head with this book, so many of the points she made I can totally understand and agree with. We as parents are overindulgent in more ways than one. More parents need to get a backbone and get some pointers from this book. I would give this to many of my parent friends, with hopes they would not be offended.An example of something that she mentioned is why is it that with every sport your child plays that they receive a trophy? Why do you get a trophy just for being on a team? Is there no merit with this? What happened to a trophy for a well deserving accomplishment-"Most Improved Player" etc. I totally agree with this and can't stand that my kids have 5 trophies already at the ripe old age of 7.

One of my bestest girlfriends gave me this book to read ( we both have daughters 19-20 months old ) and what a joy this book was! I Loved it and read it in 2 days! So fun and such a treat! Thanks to Christie Mellor for her honest, down to earth writing. I needed this. Wish I had read it a year or so ago but better late than never! I have since reading it, bought 2 more to give to my sister that is trying to get pregnant and another sister-in-law of mine! This book is just so fun! Maybe not for everyone...however, I think everyone should and could benefit from it! This is my kind of book! Loved it!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

This book gives modern parenting (if you can even call it that) a kick in the rear!It addresses the ridiculous things that parents these days do and don't do ... like say NO to their children!The ideas are presented in short, easy to read chapters. I have to make sure the children aren't sleeping when I read it because I laugh loudly and even snort sometimes at the anecdotes and witty one liners that fill the book!This book is for anyone who is wondering when the kids started running the show!Leave it on your coffee table for a controversial conversation starter LOLI highly recommend reading this and then passing it on to your push-over of a parent friend! :)

This is not a funny commentary on raising children as I expected. While I agree with many of the author's basic principles, it was really more of a rant than anything else. I didn't learn anything from the book that I didn't already know (yes, I let my children rule my life more than she thinks I should, but not nearly as much as shown in this book and certainly a lot less than many people around me). I expected a much funnier look at how parents give their lives to their kids.

Just reading the chapter titles will make you laugh out loud! I have given this book as a gift to many new parents. It is very funny but actually has some excellent advice too. The idea is basically not to panic, and just because you are now parents doesn't mean you have to be a saint or a slave to your child's every whim in order to raise wise, obedient, accomplished children. You can have lots of fun too!

My wife and I thought this was funny when we had toddlers. I just bought one for my niece.