The Girlfriends' Guide to Toddlers

by Vicki Iovine

Book Overview

With a combined total of over 300,000 Girlfriends' Guides in print, Vicki Iovine offers the kind of tongue-in-cheek humor and straight-from-the-hip advice that has made her one of today's most popular authorities on child rearing. Now she takes the next step in the Girlfriends series by helping mothers deal with that mysterious, baffling, often adorable and frequently alarming being their baby has become--a toddler.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 039952438X
• ISBN13: 9780399524387
• Release Date: February 1999
• Publisher: Penguin Adult Hc/Tr
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.2" x 9.3"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

Love Vicki Iovine books!

When my daughter Madison hit 2, I thought "Hmmm...she's so easy- why are all these Moms complaining about the 'terrible twos'?" Then I had my son Jack, and with his 2 year birthday came a rude awakening. At 2 1/2, he's done everything from climb on top of the 5 foot dresser to play "Buzz Lightyear" to drawing with crayon all over my poreous limestone fireplace (which requires some kind of acid to remove). That can only mean it's time to consult Vicki Iovine and her "Girlfriend's Guide" series regarding the frustrating toddler years. Before you yank all your hair out (that is, what hasn't fallen out already through sheer stress),Vicki reminds us to "be prepared for your VCR to be 'repaired' several times, for all dresser drawers to be liberated from their tracks, and for your car keys to end up in the sandbox, where they were employed for digging tunnels for your garage door opener to drive through". Vicki doesn't give advice through any book learning or PHd- she's just a 4 time veteran of this stuff, and it makes us Mommies feel a whole lot better that many before us have survived the toddler trenches. Topics such as how to say "NO" and act like you mean it, when to potty train (along with useful tips for success), and whether or not it's time to move to a "big boy/girl bed" , temper tantrums and arguements with someone who possesses a vocab of less than one hundred words are covered in this book. Some women prefer to go the "What to Expect" series route- personally, if I want technical info, I'll call my kids' pediatrcian. I much prefer to rely on the age-old tradition of the Girlfriend Grapevine to help me through the stressful fits of Toddlerhood (I don't think the doctor would be as accomodating!)

Vicki taught us to laugh!

I have loved all of Vicki Iovine's books, but the guide to toddlers is extra special to me. I purchased it when my son, my first-born, was entering his terrible twos. Being inexperienced parents, my husband and I were ready to pull our hair out over such new concepts as behavioral issues, night terrors and potty training. Vicki's book explained these issues to us in a non-clinical, non-judgemental, and overall humerous way. We read other parenting books by "experts" that provide facts, but Vicki is like an experienced girlfriend or sister who holds your hand, puts things in perspective for you, and tells you to lighten up and laugh a little.I think readers who complain about Vicki's books need to gain a sense of humor and stop looking for too much in her chapters -- Vicki constantly reminds you that she is not a physician or child psychiatrist and that you should consult the real experts should you have concerns. My son is now almost 4 years old, fully potty trained, well-adjusted and well-behaved (not counting his little "moments," of course!). I believe Vicki helped us immensely in making us recognize that a lot of the issues we experienced with him were normal, so we were able to treat various challenges with love, understanding, a sense of calm, and most importantly, humor.

Hysterically Funny

I'll start by saying that my husband and I have used a very different form of parenting than Vicki uses [We are what she describes as "those Hippies" who use Attachment Parenting and sleep together in one big bed like a "Pile of Puppies" - and we love it]. That having been said, I have thoroughly enjoyed this book [all THREE times I read it - and I'll probably re-read it again sometime when I need another lift]. I laughed until I cried reading this book and it ALWAYS gives me a fresh outlook on whatever stage I'm dealing with. I don't advise using this book as your primary manual to caring for a Toddler. There are much better books out there for that purpose [In My Opinion - "The Discipline Book", "How To Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk", as well as "Attachment Parenting"]. But if you could really use a laugh and help getting some perspective on these hectic, crazy toddler years - this is the perfect book for it. [And what mother of a toddler couldn't use a laugh?!!] I've read all of Vicki's books [and enjoyed them], but this one is my favorite. It seems from reading the reviews that people either love Vicki or hate her. I don't really understand the polarization. I think she's simply a very funny person who doesn't claim to be *anything* more than she is - just one mom who has been there and is sharing one way of coping. She repeatedly emphasizes that she's not a Physician, Psychologist, etc. I don't think people should take her books so seriously - they are meant to be funny, and they succeed brilliantly. One thing that does carry forth very plainly in her books though: Vicki loves children very much and encourages us to parent with compassion. You can't fault her for that - this world could certainly use a little more compassion.

BabyLounge gives 5 pacifiers to Girlfriends' Guide

Vicki Iovine has done it again with her newest, The Girlfriends' Guide to Toddlers. You'll laugh out loud as you learn how to deal with biters and thumb suckers, nose pickers and picky eaters. Chapters covering such things as discipline, the potty, and sleep, use lots of stories of other girlfriends' mistakes and successes. This book is not just an entertaining read, though. It's a fabulous reference book. Well researched, it covers everything from babyproofing to selecting a preschool. Since she's a mom of four, the author gives more realistic advice than the politically correct experts. She knows that sometimes you're going to put your child in front of the TV just so you can get something done, and she doesn't make you feel bad about doing it.The Girlfriends' Guide to Toddlers covers everything you need to know with humor and the knowledge that comes with experience. It's the perfect gift for a one-year-old's birthday. Show up with this book instead of some plastic toy, and the mother will consider you a girlfriend in good standing.

A "sanity bible" for us first-time toddler moms

I greatly enjoyed the other two Girlfriends' books, but the Toddler one is the best yet. Most of all, it has helped me retain some perspective on these crazy toddler years, so that I haven't had to undergo premature dementia over eating struggles, sleeping (or not), tantrums, etc. This book was never intended by the author to be a comprehensive guide to every single physical and psychological aspect of early childhood! For that, I have the AAP Birth-5 Years book and the What to Expect series. The Girlfriends' Guide is more of a day-to-day survival manual, and it refreshes and reassures like a chat with your best mommy Girlfriend. If you actually READ the book carefully, you'll see that Iovine herself repeatedly advises the reader that she is NOT a pediatrician, nutritionist, psychologist or educator, and suggests many times that you use every resource at your disposal to get specific information. This is a very responsible approach, in my opinion.As for the tone of the book being described as "put-upon" and exhausted, well, four toddlers will do that to you!I am now eagerly awaiting the Girlfriends' Guides for the school-age and teen years. Keep up the good work, Vicki!