The Procrastinating Child: A Handbook for Adults to Help Children Stop Putting Things Off
Parents frustrated by their child's tendency to delay starting a  book report or cleaning her room will find this guide by Emmet  (The Procrastinator's Handbook) to be a valuable resource. Emmet  points out that schools rarely teach time management; this  handbook fills in the gap, helping parents understand why their  children procrastinate and how they can help kids organize their  schedules and assignments. While parents may find  procrastinators to be frustrating, Emmet notes that kids who  delay aren't doing it just to irk mom and dad; rather, the child  may feel overwhelmed, distracted and helpless. Perfectionism and  procrastination, she claims, often go hand in hand, so parents  need to communicate that it's okay to make mistakes. Helping  children break tasks into small steps will also waylay the  daunting fear that often accompanies procrastination. Emmet's  approach is practical (helpful summaries at the conclusion of  each chapter keep readers on task) and her argument that  procrastination is a bad habit that can be corrected will be  reassuring news for young procrastinators and their parents.  (Sept.)Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.