What the Other Mothers Know: A Practical Guide to Child Rearing Told in a Really Nice Funny Way That Won't Make You Feel like a Complete Idiot the Way All Those Other Parenting Books Do

Gendelman, a comedy writer; Graff, a singer and actress; and Rosenstein, a casting director (combined mothers of four children), put their heads together to create this jaunty volume about the secrets "other mothers" know. Interviewing friends, colleagues, relatives and acquaintances in an intimate, casual manner, the three authors seek to provide a "maternal E-Z Pass" for inexperienced mothers. Advising novice moms to "always ask other moms for guidance, even if you don't know them personally," the authors believe that experienced parents will harbor tips and methods that new moms can't possibly know. Indeed, the authors do unearth plenty of worthy nuggets, such as sharing babysitting with another mom to get the grocery shopping done solo, or keeping a car seat in each family vehicle. But they also stumble upon some advice that, while original, seems questionable (e.g., use a speakerphone while expressing milk in the office (why not just take a time-out?); offer a toddler Daddy's ancient outdated baby underwear as a potty-training incentive). Written in a breezy, fun-loving style, the authors concentrate on the early years, working their way up to school-age kids. This self-described "mother of all mothering books" contains some useful and unique ideas, but it certainly won't stand alone on the parenting shelf. (Apr.)