Compiling essays authored by Benjamin Spock and published in magazines, this book addresses the changing traditional family structure and the challenges faced by contemporary parents. The chapters are: (1) "Anxieties in Our Lives," discussing stressors, decisions regarding work, and late parenting; (2) "Being a Father Today," examining aspects of the father's role as model, companion, disciplinarian, and teacher of sexual equality; (3) "Divorce and the Consequences," including custody solutions; (4) "The New Baby," concerning infant care in the first three months; (5) "Sleep Problems," including such problems in children at various ages and the family bed; (6) "Discipline," including discussions of disciplinary styles, punishment, and arguments with children; (7) "Stages of Childhood," including information on weaning, conscience development, toy selection, and children's thoughts about their parents; (8) "Difficult Relationships," including relationships with the child's doctor and teacher; (9) "Several Behavior Problems," discussing bad language, stealing, lying, cheating, whining, and anxiety about school; (10) "Influencing Personality and Attitudes," including discussions of curiosity, sociability, idealism of sex and marriage, and God and religion in the agnostic family; and (11) "Health and Nutrition," including information on teaching health attitudes and good eating habits, infant diet, and how to talk to children about sexuality and love. (KB)