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Modern Manners for Moms & Dads: Practical Parenting Solutions for Sticky Social Situations (For Kids 0–5)

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Parenting doesn’t happen in a bubble, but you wouldn’t know that from other parenting books. Own this humorous, often irreverent take on what parenting in public is really like.

Real-world advice on embarrassing moments parents with young kids face every day. When you’re raising kids, you’re thrown into dilemmas you could never have dreamed up. A diaper disaster in the middle seat during take-off. Naked baby bath photos your mother-in-law posts online without permission. An unexpected gift that leads to a tantrum in front of the gift-giver. How can you turn these into opportunities to be an A+ parent and friend, role model, and member of your community?

They've done the research so you don't have to. Authors Sarah Davis, Ed.D., and Evie Granville, M.Ed., are educators, manners mavens, and creators of a blog and podcast dedicated to parenting etiquette. Their two families total six young kids. Modern Manners unpacks the complicated social code for parents of kids ages 0 to 5. Discover a public parenting style within a unique framework, analyze your gut reactions to sticky situations, and choose a course of action that balances the needs of parent, child and others.

Written by and for busy parents, this guide includes parenting tips, lists, charts, pop quizzes, personal anecdotes, and practical advice. Get child rearing guidance from real experts on:

Leading your family with kindness and awareness
Setting a good example (and realistic expectations) for little ones
Maintaining friendships and good communication
If you are a fan of etiquette books like A Kid’s Guide to Manners, Dude That’s Rude, or 365 Manners Kids Should Know, you’ll love Modern Manners for Moms & Dads (Kids 0–5).

The publisher issues a notice regarding a design error occurring in the chart “Is Your Kid Too Sick to Leave the House?” on page 77 of the print book (chapter 2 in the eBook). The chart should advise against leaving the house with a child with a temperature of 100.4 and above. As stated by the authors, this book is not intended as a substitute for the medical advice of physicians. The reader should regularly consult a physician in matters relating to their health (and their children's) and particularly with respect to any symptoms that may require diagnosis or medical attention. The authors and publisher advise readers to take full responsibility for their safety.

374 pages, Paperback

Published October 27, 2020

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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
Profile Image for Anna Wong.
1 review
October 27, 2020
To say your book was enlightening is an understatement! I laughed (I admit to making the same diaper change faux pas as Evie), gasped (I packed not just a backpack full of diapers, but also a duffel bag full of snacks, extra diapers, clothes, and entertainment when I was travelling across the globe alone with my then 21 month old daughter) and had so many aha! moments throughout (so that's what I should've done/said).

Being a Constellation, I never wanted to be a bother and always made sure that I was self-sufficient as well as being of help to others. It's just who I am. So when I became a mother, I was fortunate enough to make the decision to be a stay at home mom because I was sure I could handle it (and thought I should take care of my own child instead of handing her off to babysitters/daycare/grandparents,etc.) I wish I had your book as I was raising my daughter to help with the correct wording to convey to others in sticky situations- mostly family members who have no filter because, well, they're family.

My favorite part is reading through the Auroras and Twilights at the end of each chapter. Nothing drives the point home more than having someone state the obvious and it has helped me in not only understanding myself better (which I know sounds weird) but also what other parents are thinking and how best to get along with everyone. Reading about the different personalities alongside one another really puts things in a different perspective and also helps the parents in bonding with one another whether it is for playdates for the kids or a coffee break on their own.

Given the times that we're in and all that has happened in 2020 with the coronavirus, having proper etiquette is in the forefront of everyone's mind when going out and being around other people- and more so for parents since we have to navigate our kids through these times as well. Your book is the next best thing to having you guys on speed dial to help guide us through it!
2 reviews
October 27, 2020
There are quite a few fantastic parenting books that I have loved for years, but they are focused on the science of child development which, although necessary and important, ignores that parenting doesn’t happen in a vacuum and disregards the variety of situations you’ll find yourself in with no easy answer. As the book states, parenting is often very public, and every interaction is an opportunity to handle dilemmas with grace and instill manners and character with grace and confidence. What do you do when your kids want to play in the aisles of Target? When do you step in on the playground? How do you respond to picky eaters at a friend’s house? You don’t need to be familiar with Sarah Davis and Evie Granville’s popular podcast to appreciate their fresh and unique take on etiquette for modern families; there aren’t any stodgy out of date rules but an atmosphere that is reminiscent of sitting around with your favorite friends.

The book opens with a parenting style quiz that helps illuminate your individual style and how that perspective guides your decisions; subsequent chapters show the strengths and deficits of each perspective in different scenarios and how to adapt those qualities to better guide a more appropriate response. Although focused on early childhood, even parents of school aged children will find sound advice on topics ranging from birthday parties to sticky situations at school. This is the type of book that all new parents should have on hand because you will find yourself referring back to it often as you raise kind, considerate individuals. An advanced reader’s copy was received, but opinions are completely my own.
October 27, 2020
This book is a little treasure. I love how it’s formatted with diagrams, quizzes, personal anecdotes and is focussed on those little real-life situations all parents find themselves in. You know, the ones that often make us wish the floor would open and swallow us (or our kids). The layout and ways of getting the reader to reflect and think makes this a light and non-judgemental parenting book to read and provides some amusement alongside the practical tips and strategies.
The book begins by looking at your parenting style by analysing how you react in different situations. What’s brilliant is that none of the styles are judged and the positive aspects of each style is highlighted. Each section then looks at different public situations parents often find themselves in and encourages the reader to reflect about their own styles and reactions.
Modern Manners is not a reference to raising polite and well-mannered children, more a though activity on how the parent and children’s behaviours are connected and how the affect everyone around them. It’s not judgemental or ‘snobby’ or even about being prim and proper. It’s about sensible and respectful etiquette for those around us.
It works really well to support discussion amongst couples or groups containing new parents and helps to broaden everyone’s understanding and awareness towards other parents as well as their own behaviour. It’s a great step in the direction of bringing parents together – united in their different styles of parenting and aware and understanding of each other.
This parenting book is a light, enjoyable and fascinating read and really valuable for parents of younger children.
Profile Image for Julie.
41 reviews2 followers
October 27, 2020
This book is not just a list of things to do and not do, (although there is some of that too) it helps you examine your own personal parenting style. The book is full of information to help you understand why you make the decisions you do and why you react the way you do in different parenting and social situations. It helps unpack how to use those natural tendencies to your advantage and how sometimes they might be holding you back. My favorite takeaway is how taking care of yourself (and what that really is) will help you be the best parent you can and how important it is to model that to your children. The book also gives ideas on how to find your support system and why it is important not to go on this journey alone.

While reading I felt like I was sitting down with my best friends and talking about all the sticky situations we deal with as parents and how to handle them, and the authors have the research and real world experience to back it up! They cover topics ranging from how you present yourself and your home all the way to parties and social media dilemmas.

If you are a parent of or have any involvement with young children you should read this book. Know someone who is expecting? This would be a perfect baby shower gift. In fact, it would be a great gift to anyone with young children.
Profile Image for Denise.
484 reviews74 followers
September 18, 2021
I hesitate to call this an etiquette book because it seems to want to be a self help book… it has an honest to goodness quiz about your parenting philosophy, labels you as a moon or a sun or a constellation, and refers to predicted situation reactions based on the 3 personality types. Miss Manners would never!

I disagree with them on lots of things, like vaccinations involving “strong emotions” that need to be tread around (if you’re anti vax I’m not going to spare your moronic feelings about your kid being shunned), it being okay to take your kid on a “short errand” within 24 hours of a fever (did we learn nothing from COVID?), and a really odd blanket rule without explanation that you can never take little kids to visitations and funerals. I was taken to funerals regularly as a kid, and whenever I see people my age who have no idea how to behave at a visitation, I know it’s because they weren’t drug to funerals like I was. The only 2 large gatherings I have taken my 3 year old to in the last year were funerals actually… yeah it sucked (she kept quietly echoing bits from the eulogy she particularly liked until I gave her a hard candy) but it would have been an etiquette meltdown in my family if I hadn’t!

A weird mixture of waffle on some answers and strong stances on other things that didn’t make much sense. I like me an etiquette book with a spine.
1 review
October 27, 2020
A Modern Manual for Parenting in the Real World

Have you ever been out in public, desperately needing to change your child’s diaper, only to find the bathroom without a changing station? What do you do when your preschooler has a massive meltdown in the middle of the store? Never fear – authors Sarah Davis, Ed. D., and Evie Granville, M. Ed., to the rescue! Their new book Modern Manners for Moms & Dads: Practical Parenting Solutions for Sticky Social Situations tackles just these types of questions. However, this is not your grandmother’s etiquette book. Instead of only listing a bunch of dos and dont’s, this book also offers a modern flair by containing pop quizzes, flow charts, and answers to podcast listeners’ questions. Davis and Granville share “sticky situations” from their own lives; and as educators and moms to six kids, these ladies know their stuff! Thus, the tone is very much like chatting with your best friend. In addition, the authors offer readers their Solar System Parenting Framework, a unique method of identifying and analyzing how one might react in public situations.

Reading Modern Manners for Moms & Dads did more than give me tips on how to change my relationship with my child. It allowed me to better process my relationships with others. Amazing gift for a parent-to-be!
1 review
October 27, 2020
Parenting, so rewarding, so challenging, so life altering…and most parents enter it with absolutely no preparation or training. Wouldn’t it be great if you had a handbook for navigating parenting your baby or toddler in the real world? Now you do! Modern Manners for Moms and Dads (MMMD) is an invaluable resource for raising children in our modern society. By identifying your parenting style using the unique Solar System Parenting Perspectives framework and the styles of other parents in your world, you gain insight into the drivers of decisions around child-rearing.
You'll learn how your style helps you and your child flourish or holds you back at home and in the course of parenting in a host of public settings. It addresses all the parenting pitfalls you can imagine and anticipates those you hadn’t even considered as you live life with your little ones. It’s coverage of a wide range of topics, with its realistic, practical, research-based advice make this book an absolute must for any new or experienced parent or child care provider. MMMD helps parents calmly and confidently make decisions that are in the best interest of your child, yourself, and others you encounter as you parent babies and children in the public square. An super useful, fun, and humorous must read!
Profile Image for Michelle.
1 review1 follower
October 26, 2020
Modern Manners for Moms and Dads is a must read for parents of young children. It’s the perfect combination of personal anecdotes, research, and humor. Not to mention, it's a quick and easy read (because what parent has a ton of extra time on their hands?). Delving into parenting perspectives, this book allows you to become more aware of yourself as a parent and more understanding of the parents around you. As a parent of two young children, it’s easy to criticize myself and even easier to criticize other parents, but in reality, we’re all just doing our best. This book offers parents an opportunity to analyze and reflect on their own parenting practices and find ways to emphasize what you do well and recognize where you may feel the need to change. As a fireball who feels the need to prioritize my own wellbeing, I can now also see myself moving toward constellation parenting, recognizing the expectations of those around me. Reading Modern Manners for Moms and Dads is a great way to feel connected to a network of parents and parenting research.
1 review
October 27, 2020
Parenting in 2020 is nothing like we could have ever imagined. Sarah and Evie give you everything parents, grandparents, caregivers, and everyone in between need to know on how to deal with real world situations, especially in the middle of a pandemic. This is not your mother or grandmother’s parenting book, but it should be! Modern Manners for Moms and Dads is like sitting down with your best girlfriends and having a real conversation over a cup of coffee or a glass of wine. Take a quiz to learn your Parenting Perspective (I am a fireball) and read about different situations and how they were handled. This book has truly helped me figure out my friends Parenting Perspectives and why they parent the way they do. They answer the question “Why does that mother continue to shop while her child is having a meltdown?” and how your Parenting Perspective can affect your answer. This is my go-to baby shower gift for all my friends.
1 review
October 27, 2020
Not your Grandmother’s etiquette book! This book is updated for the modern age: from parties to social media. Full of real-life sticky situations, practical applications, and insights into your parenting personality. I’m a visual and introspective learner so the first-hand accounts and flow charts were easy to follow and understand. I ended up following along and attempting to answer the question, “what would I do?” even with scenarios that I haven’t experienced yet. It allows you to see potential pitfalls due to your parenting personality and explores new ways to approach them. I love that it looks for the big wins and best use of my limited time to make big impacts in social situations. The book emphasizes the importance to self care and defining what self care is and is not. No matter what your parenting style, I know you will find practical advice for any modern social situation.
1 review
October 27, 2020
At first I thought, I don’t need help with manners as a parent! I’m polite! We send thank you notes! But of course I was missing the point of Modern Manners for Moms and Dads, and it turns out that I did indeed need this book. If you have ever had a situation come up and you don’t know if you’re being too sensitive but are a little embarrassed to share with your friends for fear of judgment- this book can be that sounding board. Parenting is never in a vacuum - our choices and interactions affect our children and are observed by others. This book makes sure you know you aren’t alone. In this frenetic world of school pickups, birthday parties, bath time and breastfeeding- we could all use some backup and perspective. Modern Manners for Moms and Dads is that honest parent friend we all need.
Profile Image for Lauren Johnson.
3 reviews
October 27, 2020
Picture this, you are at a fancy restaurant for your husband’s work event and your infant has a blow out and THERE’S NO CHANGING TABLE! Would you know what to do?

Modern Manners answers this and so many more unexpected, but very real situations that we as parents find ourselves in while emphasizing the best choice for both parent AND child.

I have never read a book where I was actually the character and saying out loud, “yes, that's me” and “I so do that!” It is relatable, honest, and entertaining to its core.

It clearly explains your parenting perspective and why you make the choices you do and why other choices are more difficult for you.

A must-read for all new parents juggling the curveballs that public outings bring you and your little ones.
1 review
October 27, 2020
Beautifully Composed, Informative, Insightful, Relevant, Current, & Hilarious! The first of its kind! Featuring pop-quizzes, flow-charts, Q&As, & so much more!



HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
Snag your copy! https://amzn.to/35DnLWD
6,167 reviews
October 20, 2020
Authors, Evie Granville, M.ED and Sarah Davis ED.D have written a great advice book with their newly released Modern Manners for Moms and Dads: Practical Parenting Solutions for Sticky Social Situations (For Kids 0–5). I wished I had this book handy when my children were smaller. It would have been a perfect addition to add to my bookshelf. It does have some wonderful tips that I am hoping will help with my older ones.
I am giving Modern Manners for Moms and Dads four and a half stars. I recommend it for readers who have younger children. I believe it is a keeper.
I received Modern Manners for Moms and Dads from the publisher. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.
Profile Image for Cassandra.
1,345 reviews
October 22, 2020

I received a complimentary copy.

A great book for moms who need a little organization and simple tips for everyday struggles. I think any parent would benefit from the really neat ideas in these chapters.
1 review2 followers
October 30, 2020
A great modern resource for any parent or caregiver of young children!
Each chapter is broken down to give you real life experiences, help you to understand your natural parenting tendencies, and provide practical advice on how to handle all those real-life sticky situations you may encounter out in the real world.

As a brand new parent it was fun to discover how I may react given my own parenting perspective to many situations I have yet to encounter.
Each scenario, whether it be on the playground, on social media, or even in your own home is followed up with thoughtful advice and consideration on how to model the kind of behavior we want to see from our children.

I loved gaining insight into how my own parenting perspective could also be holding me back in some situations. Learning to adapt to a different parenting style for each delicate situation is a great lesson I can take away early on in my parenting journey.

The real life stories told by the authors at the end of each chapter are fun, relatable, and perfect reminders that parenting isn’t a one size fits all approach! This book is a fun, interactive read and provides invaluable lessons to anyone, no matter what their parenting prospective may be!
Profile Image for Laurie.
997 reviews16 followers
November 17, 2020
I like the advice in the book, but it needs to be clearer that this is a parenting guide for parents with kids 0 to 5. That's not on the cover, only on the book spine. So I'm already past most of what this book covers. I did like finding my parenting style through quiz form, however, I'm definitely some kind of mix between 2 styles, and sometimes neither style seemed to reflect me based on what the authors wrote those parents would do in given situations. The chapters on personal appearance, school, and social media spoke to me most. I would have loved to read with with a moms book club or something.
Profile Image for Joy Matteson.
649 reviews69 followers
April 6, 2021
Picked this one up on a whim at the library, and it was a winner. Practical, up to date, including social media faux pas and a lot more--these two are brimming with common sense manners for the most awkward social situations with your kiddo. This is an extremely practical baby shower gift for the mom who's afraid everyone's looking at her new parenting skills. (hint: they're not!) A fun, breezy read that helps parents know there's more than one way to parent in public.
1 review1 follower
October 29, 2020
"This book is a perfect new-parent gift. A must-read. Parenting is one of the most undervalued leadership roles we have today.
Having tools and perspectives that leave you feeling empowered is essential.

Evie and Sarah do an amazing job of giving you the framework needed to feel confident in your personal parenting situation."
- Heather Chauvin, Author or Dying To Be A Good Mother
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews

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