Bringing Up Mother: How to Raise A Mom by Jean Reagan

Raising a happy, healthy mom is fun... and important!

Are you ready for some tips?

In a flip-flop of the usual "how-to parent" books, this kid has his own manual for how to bring up his mother, complete with stick drawings (labeled Fig. 1, Fig. 2), which hitting the high points of what a mature mom has to be and do. For example, moms definitely have to be in great shape:

"Strong arms, fast legs."

But before Mom hits the gym or begins her strenuous day, first things first!

"First of all, help your Mom ease into the day:

Let her sleep just a little longer. Then kiss, kiss, kiss, her awake."

So far, most moms will be pleased with this regime. But then comes helping Mom get dressed. The costume for Mom can't be too silly--or too serious--or too sparkly. Eight hair bows are enough!

And then there is that crucial moment when Mom always forgets something when she dashes out the door. Teach her to pile everything she needs right by the door--snacks, library books, her phone, and the all-important keys.

As any savvy kid knows, Moms need to learn to be organized. They need lists, schedules, routines--but also recreation. Remember to take Mom to the park: it's really good for her to practice her social skills, sitting and drinking coffee, yakking with her friends. And while she's working, let her know that you can be counted on to pull out quiet crafts and good books. And don't forget--Moms need their shuteye to keep healthy, so make sure at night that, after a nutritious supper, you get her moving right along briskly to brush her teeth, put on her PJs, and hop into bed for an early story time.

Jean Reagan's latest how-to, How to Raise a Mom (Alfred A. Knopf Books, 2017), is out just in time for the advent of Mothers Day, with everything a kid needs to know to mother their own mothers. With her familiar format well in place, Reagan's latest kids' manual is illustrated as usual by the clever comic drawings of Lee Wildish, who can make even nutritious carrots and broccoli funny. Other books in Reagan's popular series range from her How to Babysit a Grandma through How to Babysit a Grandpa and How to Surprise a Dad, to her hit holiday how-to, How to Catch Santa.