Woman to Women

Rock-Solid Parenting Tips from Chris Rock's Mom!

5 lessons for raising successful kids

-Mary Beth Sammons

If raising 10 kids, 17 foster children and sidelining as a special-needs school teacher and preschool administrator doesn't qualify Mama Rock to give us some serious parenting experience, then I'm not sure where else you'd look for a font of sage parental wisdom. If you're interested in some practical advice and perspective from the front lines, toss out the steamy novels and stuff this into your poolside carryall: Rose Rock's Mama Rock's Rules: Ten Lessons for Raising a Household of Successful Children (HarperCollins, $22.95)

Mom to comedian Chris Rock, Mama Rock offers these tips that kept her kids in line and kept her position as a steadfast role model. Here are 5 things you'll learn:

1. On your role. Being a parent is not about being right; it's about doing right.

2. Snoopfest. Your kid's bedrooms are NOT off-limits.

3. Who's the boss? You're the mama, not the friend.

4. Do dinners. Feed them, and they'll tell you anything.

5. Two's company. No kid really wants to be left alone.