With the same blend of wit, common sense, and empathy that is needed to be a good parent, child psychologist Michele Elliott offers parents a treasure trove of tips for getting through the day, getting through life, and getting through a crisis with children ages four to twelve. This highly browsable compendium is full of practical advice on common problems, entertaining anecdotes, illuminating quizzes, and helpful suggestions on parenting matters practical, educational, and spiritual. Topics range from how to get children to bed on time or stop sibling fights, to how to maximize kids' learning abilities; from how to answer embarrassing questions to how to create holiday magic without spending a fortune; from how to help children cope with grief to the ten worst and ten best things you can say to a child. Perfect parents -- like perfect children -- don't exist, but those who follow the invaluable advice in this book will be 601 ways nearer to getting it right