The Girlfriends' Guide to Toddlers

by Vicki Iovine

With a combined total of over 300,000 Girlfriends' Guides in print, Vicki Iovine offers the kind of tongue-in-cheek humor and straight-from-the-hip advice that has made her one of today's most popular authorities on child rearing. Now she takes the next step in the Girlfriends series by helping mothers deal with that mysterious, baffling, often adorable and frequently alarming being their baby has become--a toddler.

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction, Self Help, Humor, Reference, Childrens, Chick Lit

288 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 1999

Reviews

[Samilja · Rating 3 out of 5]

A girlfriend (of course) gave this to me three years ago when my daughter was born. Though I love the friend, I don't always love her taste in books. She'd given me several of the 'Sweet Potato Queens' books along with a hearty recommendation and let's just say, well, my recommendation of those would be stingy at best.

But I stumbled across this the other day and started skimming for the heck of it. Next thing I knew I was fully engrossed. Although written with a wry, comic flair this book actually offers sound advice. And what's more, the author (with 4 kids of her own for reference) hands out what many, more approach-driven, kid books don't - EMPATHY. Like the fact that toddlers have tantrums. Iovine understands and she wants you to know that your kid's tantrums do not equate to your bad parenting. They are a simple, though unfortunate, fact of life when living with a human being who is part baby, part wanna-be teenager. She can't impart to you a way to avoid the tantrums all together but she can, and does, offer a bit of insight as to why they happen and in turn, a little something to help you smile in the face of one. To wit, 'I don't really think you're getting your money's worth as a parent if you aren't mortified by your toddler at least once a day.'

This book is intended for those with kids one to three years old. Since mine is on the upper end of that spectrum I didn't visit chapters on things like potty training and sleeping. (Hallelujah that I didn't need to!). But chapters on discipline, dressing and the like are relevant, well written and amusing. As Iovine points out, it takes a big sense of humor to raise a toddler. This books helps you do just that.

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't remember much about this book but it was nice to hear about raising children from a mom instead of some Doctor.

[Horizon · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really like the "guide to pregnancy" but this was really cynical. Always saying how hard and basically awful having a toddler is. Also was not encouraging about saving another child. did give a small bit of good advice about "lovies".

[Sannu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bits of this I could totally relate to, bits were amusing and bits had me rolling me eyes (cultural differences I guess).

[Allie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mostly skimmed, some of the advice is outdated but I appreciated her humor!

[Jenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually liked this one better than the Guide to Pregnancy! What I appreciate most about her style is her lack of judgment which isn't as common as you would hope!

[Lesley Bartley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious. Good grounding reading for young moms still trying to figure it all out.

[S Daly · Rating 1 out of 5]

Girlfriend's chit chat in a book

[Chelsea Lawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love these books

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is full of lots of good advice and the author is hilarious. I found myself laughing out loud many times and reading paragraphs to my husband - to which he laughed at as well. Well enjoyed.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This lady is hilarious. I enjoy reading her books, although I don't entirely agree with everything she writes. But still, I don't dread reading her books about babies because she makes me giggle when I'm reading it!

I did skip the sections that don't pertain to Amelia quite yet (like potty training and school). The section I got the most out of was the temper tantrum section and the eating/nutrition section. I learned how to deal with tantrums, how to prevent them and how to tell the differences between an emotional one or a tyrannical one. Anyway, I'll be returning to this book once Amelia reaching the appropriate age for them, which honestly isn't too far away. Oi.

[Libby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Like her other book, Vicki continues to be witty, charming, and has a way of saying exactly what you're thinking in the funniest way. However, I didn't find this one to be as useful as the first two, (her pregnancy one and her new baby one) more just something that makes the reader feel like they might not be such a bad parent after-all, so I stopped reading it. This would be great for someone who worries a lot about if they're doing a good enough job as a parent and feels like they need validation. (or just some comic relief).

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always love Vicki Iovine's books. This one was no exception. She has a talent for making mothers (well, me at least) feel normal, and is very reassuring about the difficulties associated with childrearing. There's a lot of good information in this book, and it's delivered with humor and love. My favorite was the idea of the "participatory time out." I had never thought of sitting with Lily during her time outs, and so far the technique has really worked for us...in a way that nothing else has.

[Becky · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was nice to hear about other mother's toddlers. It gives sort of a "we are all in the same boat" feeling. Comforting in that I feel like I have it really easy compared to some of the toddler behaviors in the book. Unfortunately, the book is rather dated. Also, as the book progressed, I realized that the author was not offering very much advice. Just reporting instances from her children and from her Girlfriends' children. I did not find this book particularly useful, but it was, as I said, entertaining and reassuring to hear about other toddlers.

[Morgan Schulman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love that it was an real-live account by a real-live mother, instead of condescending advice by a male doctor. I generally love her books because they are so honest and real, but this one, I just didn't relate... Maybe because I don't live in LA, or in 1999, maybe because I work, maybe because I have a boy, maybe because I just have one. Her struggles have not been my own. So this was validating, but not super-helpful. I enjoyed her irreverent take on motherhood, though. She seems like she would be a breath of fresh air in a Moms Group

[Cassi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the Girlfriend's Guide to Toddlers. Written pre-blogs it's well organized and connected. But more importantly Vicki Lovine gives good advice that proves no matter what "new" thing is floating around Facebook, we've mostly been doing it the same forever. Lovine's message that you are doing it right anyway you're doing it, with a few survival tips, is a chink in the armor of the mommy-wars. She is loving and supportive and funny. And for some of the 90s references take us back to a less toddler-torn time, which is nice. I totally recommend this book, it is timeless.

[Deborah LaRoche · Rating 2 out of 5]

I guess if you have really high expectations for a really calm, well-ordered household while raising a toddler or two, this book could help you manage your transition into the reality of tantrums, dirty laundry, potty training, and so on. Otherwise, I didn't find much new information, though I suppose it was nice to know I'm not alone in some of the frustrations that come with parenting a kid who you love with all your heart but who also makes you a little bit insane.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book. It was funny and entertaining, and I think the author provided some very realistic approaches and ways of looking at toddler-rearing. Her views, based on parenting four kids, were pretty practical and to-the-point, which I liked a lot. I’ve read most of the GG guides and took a lot away from all of them! I’d definitely recommend this one, too.

[Lain · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as useful or interesting as the Girlfriend's Guide to Pregnancy, but still mildly helpful and entertaining. I still think in interest of full disclosure, the author should have revealed that she's a millionaire (married to recording exec Jimmy Iovine) instead of making it sound like she's "one of us."

[Suzanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vicki Iovine continues with the humor that made "The Girlfriend's Guide to Pregnancy" a hit. This book will make you laugh, especially if you have a child/children aged 1-4 years, and there are a few helpful hints as well. For some reason, whenever I read Vicki Iovine I always feel better about how I'm doing as a parent....

[Susie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Remembering that these books are not medical advice, they contain advice you would (or ought to) receive from all your girlfriends, sisters and sisters-in-law if they were honest and had experience, this was a pretty good book. Entertaining, but not too enlightening. Surviving the First Year of Motherhood had a lot more impact for me. Perhaps in another few years...

[Connor · Rating 2 out of 5]

Yeah, well Parker was screaming his head off when I was in Barnes & Noble looking for this book b/c he wanted to get down and tear all of the books from the shelves - reinforced my need for this one...

Finished it, thought it was so-so. Lauged a ton with the 1st two of hers I read. Maybe I'm just tiring of her sense of humor by now but I didn't find it that funny or very informative...

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably the most easy and fun parenting book I've ever read. It has some good advice, but came as if from one of your girlfriends or maybe your sister. I did find some of it very helpful. You don't need to read the whole thing... just the parts you are concerned with to make it an even faster read.

[Kristie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read The Girlfriends' Guide to Pregnancy and laughed my pregnant booty off. This book was given to me so thought I'd give it a read. So far, it's not as funny as the other, but enjoyable nonetheless.

So I never did finish this one...I may have to try again later but it just didn't hold my attention.

[Kelli]

I really liked reading "the Girlfriends Guide to Pregnancy." Maybe because, though each pregnancy is different, there really isn't that much variation on what your body goes through. This book, however, just annoyed me. I think it's because I am obviously the most fantastic mother and didn't appreciate someone criticizing my parenting. Ah well.

[Kristi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vicki Iovine's "girlfriends' guides" are my favorite books on childrearing -- very funny, real, and not guilt-inducing (unlike the "What to Expect" series, which set the bar so high that just reading them wears me out). The toddlers one hits a number of big issues like getting them to eat healthily (great tips on this).

[Tammy Bolt-Werthem · Rating 5 out of 5]

a must read for mother's of toddlers, and yes, i do agree with the author: when your kid is walking, no matter what the age, he is suddenly a Toddler. i loved the analogies and i found my self laughing out loud and relating will to the real ness of the author. very fun and engaging and also full of great ideas on how to handle those little ones we love

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pretty thorough book. Maybe not so much of a great book to just sit down and read all the way through, but rather one to have on hand to look up certain topics as you come across them with your toddler. It goes into a lot of detail and seems like it would be a great book to reference, although not a terribly exciting read to read cover to cover.

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a great book for anyone with toddlers. While some of it didn't apply to my toddler - mostly the section on food since she is a really great eater and loves trying new things.

I will be keeping this book and will probably refer to it as my toddler gets older and gets into things like potty training and preschool.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can you tell I have twin toddlers and am feeling in need of some expert advice lately??? This book was reassuring and comforting the way good girlfriends always are, but wasn't as funny as Naptime is the New Happy Hour. If you are raising a toddler and need some relief and only have time for one book, read Wilder-Taylor's book over this one.