A teal-colored parenting book titled "The No. 2 Parenting Book" with a picture of toilet paper on the cover.

Finally, a parenting book you'll actually want to finish.

By Dr. Andrea Mata, Ph.D

The No. 2 Parenting Book: Practical Tips for the Pooped-Out Parent is the book Dr. Andrea Mata wrote for every parent who's doing their best and still feels like they're getting it wrong.

Each chapter is short enough to read in the time it takes to, well, go number two, because that might be the only five minutes of peace you get today. It's funny, it's real, and it's backed by the kind of expertise that actually makes a difference at home.

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Science-backed

Every tip is grounded in real clinical psychology. Dr. Mata doesn't just tell you what to do; she explains why it works.

Actually Funny

Written with the kind of humor that comes from someone who has sat across from hundreds of exhausted parents and gets it completely.

Real Scenarios

A kid who won't get dressed, a meltdown over nothing, a teenager who shuts down, each chapter covers real scenarios and solutions.

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Large white quotation marks

“I’ve read a lot of parenting books, and this is the one I recommend most enthusiastically.”

Katie Harris

Verified Amazon Reviewer

Reader Reviews

  • Easy to Apply, Practical Advice!

    As a mom of four kids, parenting is hard! I picked up this book by Dr. Mata because it looked like a fun read that I could fit into my busy schedule. It did not disappoint! I loved all the real-life stories, encouragement, and tips. One of my favorite chapters was called, "Give Them Just Enough" and was on how to use scaffolding where you give just enough assistance so your child can successfully complete the task at hand by themselves. Since reading the book, I've been doing this more and have loved seeing my kids be empowered to do more things on their own (and doing less work for them myself!). I also enjoyed the fun designs of a toilet paper family throughout. If you're ready for a new parenting book, this one is great!

    -Eva Pierce

  • A Must-Read For All Parents

    Dr. Mata‘s parenting advice is as real as it gets. It’s not all about strict discipline and it’s not all about validating your kids’ feelings, but about how to achieve a balance of both so that your kids can grow into well-adjusted, healthy, productive adults.

    Whereas most parenting books feel like a chore to get through (nevermind the arduous task of implementing), Dr. Mata writes with both authority and levity. The book was a fun and engaging read, and still packed with pro tips that are both doable and impactful.

    After reading, I felt more empowered and encouraged as a parent than ever before. I’m already seeing positive changes in my kids, and in my own ability to handle challenging behaviors.

    I’ve read a lot of parenting books, and this is the one I recommend most enthusiastically.

    -fsfsunshine

  • Love this book!

    Very practical tips and entertaining stories. We are already intentional parents and this book helped us become even more intentional without a massive overhaul. Just small practical tips that are easy to absorb and integrate into your daily parenting. I could see this being an amazing book for any parent.

    -Shana W.

  • RIGHT ON! Great Content

    Love the stories, super easy read for a fried parent and it isn’t some boring textbook. Highly recommend for anyone who is looking to learn more about yourself as a parent!

    -Andrew

  • A Parent's MUST HAVE Book!

    I love this book. The No. 2 Parenting Book by Andrea Mata Ph.D. provides practical advice to parents who don’t have perfect children. WHO DOES?

    Each chapter contains a child/parent interaction which has gone awry, but is addressed with proven & effective science-based parenting practices.

    Do you have a child who won’t get dressed, clean his/her room, or says “NO”? With humor Dr. Mata provides effective tips to deal with your everyday family situations. I highly recommend this book.

    -Father of two, John

  • Practical And Profound

    In The No. 2 Parenting Book, Dr. Mata offers a refreshing take on advice for today's stressed out moms and dads. The format -- 29 fresh and funny chapters -- allows an overwhelmed parent to draw upon the author's wisdom in a matter of minutes. Understanding our child's behavior is at the heart of Dr. Mata's advice. I wish I had this book when my boys, now young adults, were little.

    -Karen Summerville

  • Right On Target

    Practical advice in quick doses that are lighthearted and easy to read. Highly recommend for anyone who wants to up their parenting game!

    -Brian N. Jewell

Dr. Andrea Mata wearing a white blazer and a patterned blouse, standing against a blue gradient background.

About the Author

Dr. Andrea Mata, Ph.D

Dr. Andrea Mata, statistically, should not be as successful as she is. The daughter of a Mexican immigrant, she grew up in a gang-infested nine-block unincorporated neighborhood on the south side of Chicago — and credits her close-knit, sarcastic family for getting her through it. That early understanding of what a strong family actually looks like became the foundation for everything she does today.

She holds a Ph.D in Clinical Child Psychology from Kent State University, trained at Boys Town in Omaha, and spent nearly a decade as a college professor before walking away to found BrightSpot Families in 2019. She wrote this book because she was tired of watching parents struggle with advice that sounded good in theory but fell apart the moment a real kid was involved.

Close-up of two people sitting, one person with painted fingernails, wearing a light-colored sweater, and another with a checkered shirt, holding a pen and writing in a notebook.
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You've earned 5 minutes to yourself. Make them count.

Pick up The No. 2 Parenting Book and start with whatever chapter sounds most like your week. You don't have to read it in order. You don't have to finish it in one sitting. You just have to start.

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