Christie Barnes is best known for her acclaimed Paranoid Parents Guides, countering what parents perceive as worries and dangers with facts and statistics to focus their parenting efforts. Appearing in the New York Times, on ABC, and across the nation and even crashing the NPR website, she was honored to help worried parents.
Researching her new book What Every Parent Needs to Know about College Admissions, she was shocked to find that stellar students were not getting even adequate college and career outcomes. She felt that more than research and writing about the problem was needed, so she sought professional qualifications in college and career counseling. Adding to her BA from Mount Holyoke College, graduate study at Oxford, and an MA Hons City University of London. she became a certified High School and College Career 'conversationalist,' and pursued post-master’s education and training.
This expertise took her to ‘Washington D.C.’ for the National Policy Symposium. Where she testified and advocated to senators and members of Congress about Career and Technical Education.
She has recently appeared in Forbes as an expert on college and the future of work and Reader’s Digest on Covid-19 disruption of college, with Dr Anthony Fauci.
Barnes had an earlier life in film and television, apprentice directing at the Royal Shakespeare Company, translating plays for the BBC, assistant directing award-winning TV for Channel Four. She married Oscar-nominated, Olivier award-winning playwright Peter Barnes. His sudden death when their triplets were one and daughter four, left Christie a single mother determined to be the best parent she could be—which led to her career as a respected and well-known parenting expert.
What did you worry about for your kids today?
I knew every danger that could happen and every fix but I never asked, "Does this danger happen to the average kid, to my kids?" We hear a horrible tragedy and want to protect our kids, but not everything is the same risk. Because it is our worst nightmare doesn't make it likely. I researched and found that I was losing sleep over threats that happened to one or two children a year out of 83 million children. But because it was horrific, and on the news 24/7, it took on huge importance. Worse I was missing less-telegenic but more likely dangers.
So I researched, studied endless statistics, got the validated by top experts, so I knew what were the likely dangers. Yes drugs and bullying are worries for parents but I was surprised by what is and isn't working for kids and parents.
But most of parents top 10 worries should be at the bottom of their priority list.
Fear sells but I wanted to be back in control. I wanted to teach my kids how to control their world.
Misplaced fears lead to huge spending. The Sunday New York Times, Chicago Tribune, LA Times, Toronto Star have been great to support the book and its message. If you are worried about something for your kids, email me via www.paranoidparentsguide.com
ABC News Now
Good Morning America Parenting Expert Annie Pleshette Murphy interviews Christie Barnes on The Paranoid Parents Guide and answers the question “Are parents too overprotective?”
GMA expert and former Editor of Parent magazine, Annie Pleshette Murphy, lauded the book throughout the seven minute news feature, “I loved this clever smart book…”
Sunday New York Times
Week In Review Section, Keeping Kids Safe from the Wrong Dangers by Lisa Belkin, featured Christie Barnes and The Paranoid Parents Guide in a full page feature on parents bad risk assessment pertaining to their child’s safety.
NPR (National Public Radio)
Five Worries Parents Should Drop and Five They Shouldn’t by Megan Voss. This article about The Paranoid Parents Guide became the hit of NPR, topping website ratings; NPR said “Christie is a hit”.
Real Simple
“Worrywarts, unite! The Paranoid Parents Guide, by Christie Barnes, sheds light on all of your nagging concerns, like shark attacks or injuries on the hockey rink. The book quickly dispels myths around common worries (e.g., strangers in the street) so you (and your kids) can get a break.”
http://www.realsimple.com/work-life/life-strategies/problem-solvers-00000000040599/page4.html
Chicago Tribune and the Tribune Newspaper Group
When Is A Child Ready to Attend A Funeral by Wendy Donahue. Christie Barnes was interviewed on the difficulty of death in the family, advise, reactions.
Reprinted nationally: Los Angeles Times, New York Daily News, Seattle, etc
ABC Cincinnati Evening News
What Parents Should and Shouldn’t Worry About by Tanya O’Rourke. Christie Barnes is interviewed about how parents assess dangers like the 9/11 Twin Towers destruction and images of the Columbine School Shootings. (Graphic footage)
Sirius Radio XM—Doctor Radio
"Pediatrics--On Call For Kids"/Doctor Radio, SiriusXM
Dallas Morning News
Christie Barnes appeared as a Moms Blog special guest.
Associated Content
Back to School Worries Parents Shouldn’t Have, by Jillita Horton. Christie Barnes on the subject of the right and wrong things parents worry about.
Cool Moms Picks
Rave review from premier mom website (20 million subscribers). “Once you realize the statistical realities of the concerns that cram our brains, it actually frees up a lot of mental energy, so you can stop with the anxiety start enjoying your time with your kids…”
Babble.com (Strollerderby)
Rave review from Babble.com (40 million viewers). Ten Things Parents Don’t Need to Worry About.
Conversations Magazine
Paranoid Parents Guide named #33 in the Top 100 Books of 2010.
TV-AM---Good Morning Britain (UK equivalent of GMA)
UK. Fern Britain interview about parenting multiples, parenting multiples and statistics about older parents. Christie Barnes with children. (11 minute feature) Pre-book launch.
The Guardian (Saturday Magazine Section)
UK. Photo-feature. Parenting triplets plus one. Pre-book launch.
100s of TV, radio and article appearances nationally and internationally.
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