Parents' Guide to Raising Responsible Kids: Preschool Through Teen Years

Part of the Children's Television Workshop Family Living series, this pedestrian volume aims to ``open doors for parents who want their children to emerge in this world as good citizens standing on their own two feet,'' in the words of TV star Cosby. There is plenty of sound advice to be found under such headings as ``Building a Child's Self-Esteem'' and ``Praise and Criticism: The Art of Providing Feedback.'' The section ``Education Begins at Home'' points out that parents can do much to prepare children for social responsibilities at school by teaching them to share, to do things on their own and to consider the feelings of others. Unfortunately, however thorough, this work's overly neutral tone and plodding style make it a rather dull read. And in citing so many other references on child-rearing, Feiden ( Hope and Help for the Chronic Fatigue Syndrome ) leaves the impression that she has done little but compile others' ideas on the subject. Readers may well wonder why they should be buying this book when there seem to be so many others covering the same ground. (July)