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3.54 of 5 stars
What happens to Queen Bees and Wannabes when they grow up?

Even the most well-adjusted moms and dads can experience peer pressure and confli... read full description

reviews

Dec 19, 2010
Skylar rated it: 2 of 5 stars
I might not be in the best position to evaluate a book such as Queen Bee Moms and Kingpin Dads. After all, I’m a fairly oblivious person, the kind who is largely unaware of people’s positions in the social pecking order, the kind who frequently fails to observe the superficial things that are of importance to most people—that is, the kind of person who, in college, didn’t notice my college roommate had died her hair red until she pointed out the fact to me two days later. (Does that make me a “S More...
9 comments like (4 people liked it)
Jan 15, 2009
Jenna rated it: 4 of 5 stars
Queen Bee Moms & Kingpin Dads is about dealing with the people you'll encounter once your child bursts forth from the womb. The book distinguishes different personality types, labeling them as Queen Bees (the perfect PTA/"my child is perfect because I'm perfect" Mom,) the Side-kicks, the Floaters,the Wanna-be's and the Invisibles. The labels feel authentic and accurate, and are instantly recognizable to anyone who's ever attended high school and had to deal with cliques, popularity, an More...
0 comments like (1 person liked it)
May 14, 2011
Kathleen rated it: 3 of 5 stars
This is shelved near the author's other book Queen Bees and Wannabees, and since I was picking up the one, I went ahead and got this one too. Right now we're going through a lot of drama with middle school girls, and I thought I'd get some good reminders and tips to coach my daughter through some of the rough spots. However, after attending a mothers' meeting at her school, it occurred to me that the mean girls had to learn their behavior from somewhere and wasn't that interesting that their mot More...
Dec 08, 2010
Khaya rated it: 3 of 5 stars
I had been meaning to read Wiseman's "Queen Bees and Wannabees" but never got to it; when I saw that there was a sequel, I thought I'd check that out instead. I suspect I might have found this book somewhat redundant had I already read the prequel. Basically, Wiseman asserts that the same social "types" that pervade childhood exist in adulthood amongst parents in particular -- queen bees, sidekicks, floaters, "bankers" of gossip, etc. -- and that these parents are More...
4 comments like (1 person liked it)
Aug 11, 2010
deLille rated it: 3 of 5 stars
I did not read Wiseman's first book as I am raising just boys, but I saw this book and thought it might be insightful in understanding why other parents behave the way they do. I think what I most appreciated about this book was understanding why fathers tend to not get involved in disputes between families and let the mothers handle all the issues involving their children's relationships with other children.

Mostly the book was a conflict resolution book re-packaged for parents. B More...
Nov 21, 2009
Calmblueocean rated it: 4 of 5 stars
This book has some real practical tips in it about how to deal with the difficult people you meet at your kids' schools, activities, etc. My daughter is going through the teenage years and a lot of the interactions I've had to have with her teachers and the parents of her friends have become increasingly more tense. In the book, there is a chapter on confrontation, and I got some advice that I used immediately about how to handle the types of parents who will try to steamroller right over you. More...
Jul 20, 2011
Susan rated it: 3 of 5 stars
Not as good as her first book, Queen Bees. . . , but still worth reading. My kids go to public school in an urban school district, and I can honestly say that much of the machinations between parents that she describes do not happen much here, thank goodness. I do hear of this sort of things from my friends who live in more affluent districts, though, so I don't think she is exaggerating.

I found the sections on how to deal with particular situations - drinking, bullying, etc. to More...
Mar 01, 2010
April rated it: 3 of 5 stars
This book had an interesting take on parenting and the conflicts between parents as we raise our children alongside their friends, teachers, etc. I already knew that life is like high school and that women are especially guilty of creating drama and conflict but this book gave a detailed look at how this comes out in mom's circles. This is a good read if you have trouble dealing with conflict (like I do) and need a pep talk in not letting other people bully you or your kid.
Jan 04, 2011
Crystal rated it: 4 of 5 stars
I didn't read this cover to cover, as I have read other books with variations on these themes. But all-in-all, it was a good book. It would be really good for 1) parents who are navigating the tween years and need some guidance on handling competition, cliques with parents of the kids, and the tough conversations about friendships, sex, drugs, alcohol... and 2) people who work with the age group- counselors, teachers, coaches... A good reference book.
Sep 04, 2010
Sara rated it: 4 of 5 stars
This book offers some great advice on how to deal with and relate to different types of parents. I would recommend this book not just for parents, but for anyone (including teachers, administrators, pediatricians, or childless couples) who has been in a situation with a Queen Bee mom, a Wannabe mom, or a Kingpin dad.
Feb 09, 2009
Gnmsmom rated it: 3 of 5 stars
I really wanted to like this book, to find it helpful. But it focused so much on school-based situations that I felt it didn't have much relationship to my family's life. Also, I found it kind of frustrating that I never did figure out what "type" I am. Reformed Invisible?
Aug 02, 2010
Laura rated it: 3 of 5 stars
I don't read much popular psychology, but I found this book very useful. It gave me many insights into dealing with other parents and also teachers and coaches. It also made me think twice about why I am so involved at the boys' school (ie for my benefit or theirs?)
Aug 19, 2009
Laura rated it: 4 of 5 stars
Found this one much more interesting and helpful in the sense that I may have to go someday and either deal with the administration on my kid's behalf, or, gulp, be the parent on the receiving end of all the fire. Easy to read, fascinating sociology going on, I recommend it.
Sep 24, 2009
Jean rated it: 3 of 5 stars
I found her classification systems don't really cover everyone. However, there are some great tips on how to deal with other parents and tough parenting situations. It also helps see groups of moms and dads for who they really might be as well as how they operate.
Mar 24, 2011
Gillian rated it: 3 of 5 stars
Some interesting stuff in here about conflict resolution ... lots of it is geared more toward middle school and high school parents... I found the whole section about the different "types" of moms and dads really irritating and limited.
Nov 16, 2009
Rachelle rated it: 5 of 5 stars
This is a great book because it helped me see how I behave in certain situations with other mothers and why. After reading it, I can see the "roles" that Wiseman talks about, and I'm less likely to get sucked into the frey of mom politics.
Apr 09, 2008
Tanya rated it: 4 of 5 stars
The book starts with the premise that adults must navigate the same cliques that ruled our lives in middle and high school in order to help guide their own children without creating "social death." It helps me with understanding how each person's role can affects how certain situations are perceived and how other people see us. It also gives specific advice for how to deal with problems in a variety of settings, particularly as a role model for dealing with conflict.

I r More...
Sep 14, 2007
Jen rated it: 4 of 5 stars
I am not the intended audience for this book, but last year realized I was working with a very different group of parents from what I was used to, and when I happened upon this book it seemed to a good way to get a better idea of how to best work with them. I found this book readable and level-headed. The author is frank and emphasizes that conflicts have multiple perspectives, and gives suggestions on how to make situations work out best for the kids. From an educator's perspective, the chap More...
Oct 13, 2009
Amanda rated it: 2 of 5 stars
It was good, but it became repetitive and painful to hear about PTA moms. Once you get the idea that PTA moms are cliquish, just like in middle school, you get the point.
Mar 21, 2009
Mary rated it: 5 of 5 stars
This is a terrific read for moms who stay at home part time or full time. The similarities between our world and that of the teenage girl is scary.....
Dec 27, 2010
Christine rated it: 5 of 5 stars
I think this book should be required reading once your child enters elementary school! :)
1 comment like (1 person liked it)
Oct 13, 2009
Amber rated it: 4 of 5 stars
This book points out how little we've evolved since high school. Helpful and insightful.
Jun 27, 2009
Julie rated it: 4 of 5 stars
Love Rosalind Wiseman. This book's not quite as perfectly organized as Queen Bees & Wannabes, and has a lot of repeat information from that book. The most valuable insights aren't about other parents but about your own behavior... tricky of her, eh?
Jun 12, 2009
Missy rated it: 5 of 5 stars
This should be required reading for all grown-ups.
Feb 24, 2009
Mariah marked it as to-read
Though directed at parents, Might be interesting
Aug 03, 2010
Kirei rated it: 1 of 5 stars
I couldn't relate to this book at all.
Feb 02, 2011
Andrea is currently reading it
Interesting read!
Jun 17, 2010
Lauren rated it: 4 of 5 stars
Autographed, suckers!
Feb 28, 2011
Joshua rated it: 4 of 5 stars
This is a good book that will help parents learn how to deal with: other parents, teachers, coaches, and their own children. It is a great followup to "Queen Bees and Wannabees," the book that inspired the movie "Mean Girls".
Nov 23, 2008
Nancy rated it: 4 of 5 stars
Wow! Must read for parents (yeah...dads too)....raises some very interesting thoughts....