Prudent Advice: Lessons for My Baby Daughter

by Jaime Morrison Curtis

Prudent Advice isn't what your mother taught you--it's more. Delivering 500 mini-lessons meant to educate and entertain, Curtis writes with wit and fresh insight into motherhood wrought from her own experiences and those of her blog followers. Time-honored canons such as "Dress appropriately for work" and "You reap what you sow" mingle with more unconventional prudence such as "Talk to strangers" and "Don't be afraid to get lost." She teaches how to jump-start a battery and make summer squash with goat cheese pasta--everything a mother wants for her little girl. It's a charming blend, which has earned Prudent Advice a Mom's Choice Award (Gold) in the Adult Books -- Spiritual/Motivational category.Curtis emphasizes the importance of being ethical, practicing kindness, thinking for oneself, and seeing the beauty in everything and everyone, especially on the inside. This compelling guide also offers poetry, inspirational quotes, and recipes meant to embellish cultural per

Genres: Nonfiction, Parenting, Family, Self Help

208 pages, Hardcover

First published October 12, 2010

Reviews

[Melee Farr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, I usually think books like this are treacle, but this one was so very tender and heartfelt. I cried. It inspired me to do the same for my son. I'll be giving it to all of my nearest and dearest who are moms and daughters.

[Relyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am really enjoying this so far. It's inspired me to start a list of my own for my daughter. You gotta love a book that gets you to writing, yes?

Loved, loved, love this book. After I catch up my goodreads, I'm going to poke around the internet looking for a blog or something of hers. I hope she has one. I'd like to tell her how much I appreciated her attitude toward her husband in this book. It really was wonderful and the best lesson of the book. Every time she mentioned him it was to say something wonderful about him. She encouraged her daughter to treasure her father and to trust him. It really was a beautiful picture of a marriage.

I have got to buy this one!

[Jamie Darby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whether you have a daughter, or you are a daughter, this book is a must have/read for every woman. Reading this has inspired me to start a list for my own children.

[Suzanne Mun · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my all time favourite books. I usually read it once a year, and I never re-read books. It's a mix of practical tips (#193. Leggings are not pants, #144. The only problem you can solve by eating is hunger, and #239. Anything you chase after runs.), political statements (#228. When your tax bill goes up, revel in all the libraries, schools, and roads you are helping to maintain), rules of etiquette (#246. If you have to tell someone no, do it in person, and #259. Try to speak the local language.) and instructions for joy (#243. The Grand Canyon is as amazing as everyone says it is, and #428. Have picnics. What could be better than a picnic?).

[Gretchen Beerline · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wise and wonderful book full of insight and pithy observations. It’s nice to read a few pages before turning off the light at night. It’s offered me much food for thought as well as smiles, in spite of the fact that I’m quite a bit older than the author. Well worth reading, and it would make a terrific gift for a young lady or new high school graduate.

[Collette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Basically 500 pieces of advice from a mom to her baby. It's too personal to be something to give as a gift or own, but it was fun to see someone else's perspective on what matters.

[Nazee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of good reminders!

[Maia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book and have already bought it for three people. A variety of funny, practical, wise, and poignant quotes based on the author's experience (and a few borrowed from other peoples') make this an inspiring collection for anybody - daughter, mother, son, friend, partner... Some of the quotes are accompanied by pieces of famous artwork or poems, which add depth to the meaning of the words.

Favorite quotes:

115: "It's not a good idea to weld while wearing tights because the sparks will burn holes in your stockings and legs."

133: "There are times you need to listen to the same song over and over. It just means the song is helping to access something inside of you that you couldn't get any other way."

446: "Cultivate a genuine enthusiasm for the minutia of other people's lives. This is how to be a friend."

494: "Be playful and lighthearted. Or be dull."

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such good, practical advice. Ranging from practical to profound, it made me want to write some of my own for my kids. So many things still apply to being an adult, and there were some that are too late for me to go back and do or change, but I loved her idea of teaching her daughter while she's young.

I agree that it is a life list for every woman. And you can read the whole thing in like an hour!

[Haylee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've heard of this idea before...where you compile a list of everything you want your children to know. Jamie Curtis made hers for her daughter into a book! I enjoyed most of her ideas and advice and think I will begin a list of my own for my kids, just so they know in case I'm not here to tell them or in case I forget as time passes and they grow up. Included some great life tips to keep in mind myself.

[Jess Gill · Rating 5 out of 5]

as good as expected - and i had high expectations after following the author's accompanying blog. perhaps it's because i'm a sucker for good advice, or because so many pieces of wisdom included were those i agree with, but whatever the reason, i loved it. and plan to purchase a copy, or two, as gifts in the future.

[Mary Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

I discovered this lovely book while browsing at the bookstore last week and decided that I could definitely use some "prudent advice" myself. Ms. Curtis's advice ranges from mundane to profound, but is consistently sound. I think I will start compiling my own collection of advice, if only to remind myself of who I want to be.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

A list of 500 pieces of advice that the author is giving to her baby daughter. It was a fun book to pick up and read parts of here and there. I certainly learned some things from the author. Very insightful and practical. This also makes me want to write my own list of advice from things I've learned over my life some day.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE this book. The author doesn't have the same kind of life style as I do, which is clear in a few of the passages of the book (ie a few references to champagne and other things) but it is a charming little book and I really liked it.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so touching. I wish I had written it myself to my daughter. The advice was practical and heartfelt with some humor too.

I will definitely be on the lookout for a copy to add to my collection. Anyone who is the mother of a little girl should read this book!

[Jayne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Someone recommended this to me a while ago. After I got over the shock that it is 500 individual pieces of advice, often combined with a beautiful poem or picture, I really enjoyed it. It was nice to pick up for a few minutes here or there.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this. What I want to say to my girls. What I want them to believe and be.

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely book, given to me by a dear friend and mother. This book inspired us to do the same for our kids. Wonderful book for any mommy.

[Junita · Rating 4 out of 5]

I normally don't pick up books like these, but this one was incredibly charming. And I actually learned a thing or two. It would make a great gift.

[Koz · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author seems a little too pleased with herself. But there is some sweet and funny and important stuff in there.

[Laurence · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book of many, many tips from a mother to her newborn daughter...
Very quotable!

:)

[kaity · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had high hopes for this one, and waited several weeks to find a copy through inter-library loan, but ultimately it did not resonate with me.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved each of these wise tips on life...perfect gift for anyone having a baby girl!

[Becky Staples · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It has a good mix of funny and serious life lessons. I reccommend it to anyone I know who has children.

[Mrs. Kucinski · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much!

[Rachel M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED this book, it was especially tender to read while holding my own baby daughter.

[Jorjha Unwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

so helpful growing up x