Are We Having Fun Yet?: The 16 Secrets of Happy Parenting

Willis, who founded Mothers Matter, a national support group for mothers, is the determined mother of ten grown children, grandmother of ten and a frequent speaker on parenting topics. Brinley is a former director of the Good Housekeeping Infants and Children Laboratory. Their collaboration has the tone of a coffee klatch, with Willis doing most of the chatting. She tells tales of raising her children, cracks jokes and offers advice on a variety of topics ranging from how to create a cozy home atmosphere to how to mentally refuel after a hard day. Unlike many parenting ""experts,"" Willis doesn't seem holier-than-thou and her recipes for parenting success are realistic. ""Exactlies aren't my style,"" she says; rather, her goal is to help mothers discover the methods that will work best for their particular family. Willis borrows tips from big business: coffee breaks, personal days, vacations, expense accounts and quitting time are on her list of ways to make life with children both more fun and more manageable. With humor and pluck, Willis gives an energetic pep talk (one can imagine her in a locker room full of sweaty, bedraggled mothers). Her main message--that parenting should be enjoyed, not endured--will send parents back onto the playing fields of family life with renewed vigor, confidence and smiles on their faces. Major ad/promo.(May)