Parenting For Dummies
by Sandra Hardin Gookin
Edited by Dan Gookin
Parenting For Dummies, 2nd Edition
Published by
Wiley Publishing, Inc.
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Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774
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Copyright 2007 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana
Published by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana
Published simultaneously in Canada
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Library of Congress Control Number: 2006927652
ISBN 978-0-7645-5418-6
Manufactured in the United States of America
10 9 8 7 6
2B/RV/QS/QX/IN
About the Authors
Sandra Hardin Gookin is the mother of four boys. She holds a degree in speech communications from Oklahoma State University, and her background in communications has been the basis for her theories on parenting. That, plus lots of experience in parenting methods that not only work but are painless.
Sandy also is an accomplished computer book author. She has written such books as Windows XP Home Edition, I Didnt Know You Could Do That, and PCs For Dummies Quick Reference. When Sandy isnt busy writing and parenting, shes an actress and theater director.
Dan Gookin has written more than 75 books about computers, and his works have been translated into 34 languages. Dan wrote the first For Dummies book (and many after that), so the light, humorous, and informative style of For Dummies books is Dans style. His most recent titles include PCs For Dummies, 8th Edition and Naked Windows XP.
Dan and Sandy currently live with their several boys in the as-yet-untamed state of Idaho.
Dedication
This book is dedicated to our four boys, Jordan, Simon, Jonah, and Jeremiah. Thank you for being the subject of inspection and prodding and poking and just a whole lot of fun. You make life worth living and you turn every day into an adventure.
Authors Acknowledgments
It takes a lot of people to make a book. People you wouldnt even know about, such as my parents; thank you Mom and Dad for helping with the kids when I had to lock myself in my office to get this book done so Norm, my editor, wouldnt yell at me. Thank you also to contributing editors, Dr. Tim Cavell and Dr. Mary Jo Shaw. Your brilliance in your fields of expertise was very much appreciated.
Special thanks to Matt Wagner, my literary agent, for pushing this book through to its second edition. I am grateful for your persistence and patience.
And thank you to Norm Crampton, Editor Supreme, and Neil Johnson, my copy editor, for their ability to make me look smarter than I really am.
There are many people who contributed to this book whose names I dont know parents Ive observed who were wonderful and kind to their kids and who gave me inspiration. I thank you all.
Publishers Acknowledgments
Were proud of this book; please send us your comments through our Dummies online registration form located at www.dummies.com/register/.
Some of the people who helped bring this book to market include the following:
Acquisitions, Editorial, and Media Development
Project Editor: Norm Crampton
Acquisitions Editor: Pam Mourouzis
Copy Editor: Neil Johnson
Technical Editors: Beth Ann Martin, MD; Timothy Cavell, PhD
Editorial Manager: Christine Beck
Editorial Assistant: Melissa Bennett
Cover Photos: IT Intl/eStock Photography/Picture Quest
Composition Services
Project Coordinator: Erin Smith
Layout and Graphics: Stephanie D. Jumper, Jackie Nicholas, Jeremey Unger, Mary J. Virgin, Erin Zeltner
Proofreaders: Laura Albert, John Greenough, Andy Hollandbeck, Linda Quigley, Aptara
Indexer: Aptara
Publishing and Editorial for Technology Dummies
Richard Swadley, Vice President and Executive Group Publisher
Andy Cummings, Vice President and Publisher
Mary Bednarek, Executive Acquisitions Director
Mary C. Corder, Editorial Director
Publishing for Consumer Dummies
Diane Graves Steele,