Today I’m home with my sneezy, snotty, pouty, feverish toddler. What a coincidence that while my little guy rests, I’m downstairs writing a book review about raising a healthy, happy kid. Ha!
I genuinely enjoy reading about children’s health and wellness. I think there’s no such thing as too much information as long as it’s accurate and useful, and the reader is not what I call a psycho-OCD parent who thinks every sniffle is an emergency.
“YOU Raising Your Child” written by the New York Times bestselling authors and doctors Michael F. Roizen and Mehmet C. Oz is the latest in child-rearing reads. Unless you live under a rock, I’m sure you’re familiar with these fellas and their YOU book franchise by now.
This isn’t just for first-time parents or parents with newborns – it covers parenting from birth to school age. In just fewer than 500 pages, the doctors break down the science of raising happy and healthy children. Most of it is review for anyone who is present and engaged in his or her role as a parent or parent-to-be.
The written and illustrated data on how the body works are helpful and fascinating, though – and I kind of love the comic-style of some of the drawings. Admittedly, it’s been a long time since I learned about the intricacies of DNA, brain function, digestion, etc. I don’t remember high school bio class being this much fun!
What I really appreciate about this book is the humor peppered throughout. And although I agree things like a high-grade fever, broken bones or ADD are no laughing matters, if we’re serious ALL OF THE TIME, parenthood becomes a drag for everyone. Gladly, Roizen and Oz know how important it is to enjoy parenthood and laugh long the way rather than constantly be on pins and needles.
They say kids don’t come with a manual, but this book is at the very least a good companion to this important – and let’s not forget fun – journey.
Mommy's Alright 