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Raising kids in any setting is tough work, fraught with
anxiety, but living in the big city has its own special
positives and negatives. The City Parent Handbook is a
great resource for parents whom have chosen to raise their
kids in the hustle and bustle of urban life. Filled with
inside secrets, special things to watch out for, tips and
ideas on making the best of city living, and tons of expert
advice, The City Parent Handbook covers everything from
finding a good school and getting your child in a playgroup
to the right pets for apartments and how to find ethnic
restaurants kids will cheer for.
Authors Kathy Bishop, a widely published magazine and
newspaper writer, and Julia Whitehead, president of a
consulting firm, both live in the Big Apple, so they know
their stuff when it comes to making it or breaking it in the
city. They offer so much solid and creative advice in The City Parent Handbook that suburban and rural dwellers may
be enticed to chuck the commute and move to the heart of the
action! With so much to do in the big city, the authors help
parents discover the magic of city life, and how best to
bring out the best in their children in a cityscape
environment.
The book is divided into three comprehensive sections:
Family Life, Out and About, and Education. Family Life
focuses on living in small spaces and how to make the best
of it, city health hazards and safety concerns, daycare and
nanny issues and other topics related to living as a family
in the big city. Out and About teaches playground perils and
etiquette, sports in the city, choosing outdoor activities,
best garden plants for kids to try their hand at growing,
entertainment and culture, eating out, teaching tolerance
and acceptance of others and so much more about what kids
are exposed to outside the home. Education covers pre-school
to private school to public school – which are best, how to
approach them, what to expect.
The information is priceless and the advice is destined to
save many parents a lot of hard work, grief and frustration.
Both the benefits and challenges of city life are examined,
with ideas on how to handle the various problems that may
arise, such as cultural and ethnic differences, dangerous
environments, lack of open spaces, etc. Ideally, though, the
authors see the city as a place where children can bloom and
grow just as gloriously as any kid out in the ‘burbs or in
the country. And on the plus side, city kids get exposed to
so much art and culture and different kinds of people that
it often makes their lives all that much richer.
So, if you already live in the city, or are thinking about
moving to the city and raising your children there, this is
a must-have. It will alleviate many concerns, fears and
anxious questions about bringing up baby in the city that
may be on your mind, and help you to find the real charm,
beauty and wonder that the city, and only the city, holds
for kids and for families.
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The City Parent Handbook: The Complete Guide to the Ups and Downs and Ins and Outs of Raising Young Kids in the City