Member Reviews
ANYTHING BUT MY PHONE, MOM! is written by Roni Cohen-Sandler and as the subtitle, "Raising Emotionally Resilient Daughters in the Digital Age," makes clear, this text is geared towards parents. Cohen-Sandler, a licensed clinical psychologist, draws on her many years of experience counseling teenagers and adults (she quotes both mothers and daughters) in order to provide some solid advice especially on newer issues like social media, cyberbullying, school safety concerns, and the lingering impact of COVID-19. Cohen-Sandler adopts a conversational tone, and readily acknowledges that "although raising a daughter can be one of the most deeply gratifying and meaningful experiences, it is rarely easy. ... Accept that you won't always know the 'right' thing to say or do." She splits the text into three sections: first, looking at "cultural forces" and their impact on girls and their families; then, a focus on skills and habits that daughters need; and, finally, a discussion of applying strategies to everyday challenges (there is an entire chapter devoted to homework). I can readily imagine a parent returning to this text time and again, especially given Cohen-Sandler's patient, common sense, and research-based suggestions. Library Journal described ANYTHING BUT MY PHONE, MOM! as "a must-read for parents of teenage girls."