Parenting from the Trenches

About the Book

War may be hell, but plotting a course through the minefield of raising children can be categorized that way too; a war of words, of will and of wisdom.

Parenting from the Trenches is an often tongue-in-cheek, sometimes deeply personal, always helpful compilation of columns written by a parent for parents. Julie Butler Evans draws from her nearly 25 years of experience as a mom, by seeking to inspire with a humorous look at the serious side of child-rearing.

For example, on the subject of kids and cleaning: "Hand a teenager a can of Pledge and a rag, and they will most likely just spray the scent into the air." Regarding slumber parties: "'Slumber' party is such an oxymoron. 'Slumber' is so very much not part of the equation." Or, on the strength of mothering: "The height of motherhood is being able to love your child even when that child feels temporarily "unlovable". When the two-year-old tantrum takes on epic proportions; when your 11-year-old shouts at you like a whiny, drunken sailor on leave, or when the impulsivity of adolescence reaches a cringe-worthy, dodgy low."

The myriad topics are sure to resonate. You'll laugh, cry and identify. And your skirmishes with your offspring may be easier to power through.

About the Author

Julie Butler Evans is the mother of four children?three sons and one daughter?ranging in age from 12 to 24. She was the Editor/Publisher of Connecticut County Kids, which she founded in 1989, and is currently a parenting columnist for The New Canaan Advertiser newspaper in New Canaan, Connecticut. She also has a resource website called www.connecticutmom.org.