The Toddler Owner's Manual: Operating Instructions, Troubleshooting Tips, and Advice on System Maintenance

Owner’s/Instruction Manuals #4

by Brett R. Kuhn, Joe Borgenicht, Paul Kepple (illustrator)

At Last! A Beginner's Guide to Toddler Technology

Just when you've mastered your infant's maintenance routine, he begins to malfunction, refusing fuel, crying inexplicably, and resisting your attempts to clothe him. Your infant has upgraded to a toddler! But how can you master your toddler's changing technology?

Through step-by-step instructions and helpful schematic diagrams, The Toddler Owner's Manual explores hundreds of frequently asked questions: How should I react when my toddler throws a tantrum? How do I train my toddler for self-waste disposal? Whatever your concerns, you'll find the answers here--courtesy of pediatric psychologist Dr. Brett R. Kuhn and co-author Joe Borgenicht. Together, they provide plenty of useful advice for anyone who wants to learn the basics of toddler care.

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction, Reference

224 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2005

Reviews

[Eric Roston]

I picked up some tips, but more importantly, appreciated the effort to write a childcare book that isn't prissy and sanctimonious.

[Lyyra Virtanen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joo oon ilmeisesti sellasessa elämänvaiheessa että luen tämmösiä kirjoja mut puolustuksekseni sanon että tää oli hauska

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved The Baby Owner's Manual: Operating Instructions, Trouble-Shooting Tips & Advice on First-Year Maintenance, so now that my unit has upgraded to a toddler model (this is the language in this manual LOL), I had to get this one as well. It's written in the same tech manual style, which makes it a very fun read. It's pretty basic information, but on a broad range of subjects. I learned a couple of things. Some of the information is outdated and / or not what is recommended in every country, so don't take everything as gospel here. Like with most aspects of parenthood: Do what feels right for you and your family, and follow the recommendations in your country and from your toddler unit's service provider.

[Lightwhisper · Rating 3 out of 5]

Apesar de não gostar de chamar unidade aos meus filhos, gosto dos capítulos, síntese final em cada um, e do pragmatismo do livro.

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is worded in a very amusing way... even dad would enjoy reading it. It takes the approach that the toddler is like an appliance or robot or something. And even with all the goofing around, it does have some good toddler tips.

[Shelbi Cox · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was funny- written as a “toddler owners manual” lol. I don’t feel like I picked up much but it was kind of a good overview of the next few years. I was looking more for specific parenting tips (help what do I do when my toddler throws a tantrum?!) and research. It did have some ideas about time outs, ignoring outbursts, etc. but I feel like a decent amount contradicts other things I’ve read which is 😫.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is funny and full of good, basic parenting information. I thought it would be a 5-Star book, but towards the end, spanking is presented as an acceptable discipline technique, and I can’t support that.

[Tim Nowotny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like its predecessor a fun and informative read. It looks like a silly book but has a surprisingly high density of information. I especially liked the little tricks and shortcuts it highlights

[Reagan Kapasi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hilarious version of a toddler parenting book envisioning the child as a piece of technology that needs maintenance and parents as owners.

[Heidi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Useful info, weird format. I assume it is because this book is older the recommendation for forward facing car seats is no earlier than age 2 not 1 as this book states.

[Jamie]

While possibly not the best parenting book out there, I did enjoy the book immensely. It treats parenting as an adventure, but also realizes that not all parents are at all equipped for the adventure. It gives simply stated parenting tips for parents who have no desire to read hundreds of pages of scholarly jargon. The diagrams are there mostly for their entertainment value, but also provide a clear guide to where the information (such as potty training) is located. For the busy parent or the parent that does not enjoy reading as much this is the perfect book. I highly recommend it.

Be warned, if you are sensitive to the issue of spanking and turn on any book that discusses it, you might not want to read this. It does have a very small 2-3 page section that talks about it.

[Kelsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't really like to read parenting books. I read Dr. Sears' Baby Book when my son was born, but mostly my husband and I just parent in a laid-back, snuggle intensive way. I dislike parenting books that seem be lecturing me on strict bedtimes, structured schedules, and regimented diets.
This book isn't like that. It's very straight forward, unaligned in the seemingly warring parenting camps. The whole 'written like a user's manual' schtick is cute and funny, and some of the illustrations are really hilarious, but at it's essence, this is a really basic toddler raising handbook. If you didn't know that toddlers could fall in a bucket or that you should put sunblock on them, then this might be a good starting place. Otherwise, it's kind of a joke that isn't all that funny.

[N.J. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good, if you're not so anxious about childrearing to have a laugh at the same time. Written as a genuine user manual (as if your offspring is a consumer item), the graphics are superb. The authors drop this approach for the emergency first aid section, understandably. Interesting to note that they condone smacking in certain circumstances too.

[D.M. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd tried to convince the wife we should pick this up a while ago, and we finally did with some Christmas money. The looks are deceiving: this book is not entertaining, but just another dry child-rearing tome disguised as a clever book. Still, plenty of very useful info already!

[Delia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have found, and this title is no exception, these books to be useful and to the point for the various topics they cover. They provide a good overview and some very good lists and bullet points for action.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious and practical.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

ehhh. not very humorous. I thought it would be funnier.

[Leslie Jensen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very creative way for men to write a book about raising a toddler. And I learned a lot too.

[Emilie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awesome. A concise little reference of practical advice on major transitions, milestones, and challenges, with the added benefit of being really fun.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Picked it up for a few tips on two-year-olds. It's cute and clever and short, all while being informative and straightforward.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

The title is the funniest aspect of the book, but it was still a fun read.

[Salina Gonzales Frazier]

hmm we definitely should be reading this ....