Book Summary

With conflicting advice impacting concerned parents, how does one decide which sources of information to follow? An experienced mental health professional and college professor, Dr. Joseph D. Sclafani identifies and translates the social science research on effective parenting, making that information understandable and available for every day parents.

The subject selection reflects a range of important and relevant topics for parents. The book is intended to serve as a parenting reference and resource, not as the final word on parenting.

Topics covered in The Educated Parent:

• A review of basic information relevant to all effective parenting.

• The research related to fundamental, foundational areas necessary for healthy child development — attachment, temperament and parenting style.

• The subjects of family structure and discipline, as necessary foundations are depicted and explained.

• Chapter Five is devoted to exploring the parenting role in education, including information about home schooling.

• Divorce and re-marriage effects on children, and ways for parents to minimize harmful long-term effects are reviewed.

• The often conflicting research on day care placement and its effects are appraised and considered.

• Information about stress, including cultural factors, is reviewed along with ideas to help manage stress levels in families.

• The special role and place of fathers in children's lives is addressed and emphasized in Chapter Nine.

• There is also a discussion of "special topics issues" — adoption matters, child chronic illness' effects on families, and handling death and loss.