Caring for Your School Age Child: Ages 5-12 (Child Care S)

Puberty, divorce, drugs, masturbation, eating disorders, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are all waiting to ambush the unsuspecting parent in a midchild crisis, and each one is thoroughly addressed in this encyclopedic tour of the years between infancy and adolescence. In fact, the chapters that cover traditional medical problems--ear infections, stomach aches, hives, broken bones--are in the minority. Most of the clear, simple writing is devoted to social matters and the psychology of parenting. What should you do if your child is being bullied? Is it OK for a child to attend a funeral at this age? How do you control temper tantrums? Does it help to repeat a grade if your child isn't doing well in school?

The second in a three-volume series, this revised and updated guide culls advice from more than 60 pediatric specialists. As a result, it assumes a middle-of-the-road stance meant for the average parent. For detailed information about complex topics, such as learning disabilities and chronic illnesses like asthma and diabetes, parents may need to search for more specialized titles. But as a first reference and general guide, this book fills the parenting advice void in the middle years with a reassuring voice. --Jodi Mailander Farrell