The Game Theorist's Guide to Parenting: How the Science of Strategic Thinking Can Help You Deal with the Toughest Negotiators You Know--Your Kids

Unlike any parenting book I've ever read - perfect for any analytical, mathematical, or technically oriented parent. Not only is it hilarious and you will learn about game theory, but you can apply it immediately in your home laboratory. Already put to use solving fights from where to go for lunch to what to eat at IHOP. My wife said "who are these kids". This book is like magic.... As a bonus, I read it out loud to put them to bed, and it works like a champ.

This book is fantastic. It effortlessly melds game theory and parenting into an insightful and practical book.

Nice read, but it focuses too much on the idea of punishments and rewards. There are more and more parents trying not to use this approach, yet the book seems to completely overlook that. I understand that, essentially, the point of using GT in everyday behavior, including with kids, is to increase the cost of the other player (the kid) if she chooses a strategy we don't prefer. As parents, we have the possibility to do that (most of the times). I would have framed it more in these terms and it's possible without regarding this as punishments. Nevertheless, it's useful to have notions of GT as a parent, so well done to the authors.

This was so much fun, and I don’t even have kids! The book beautifully explains and considers applications (to [co-]parenting) of: 1. Fair division algorithms ("I cut, you choose", adjusted winner, balanced alternation). 2. Auctions (1st & 2nd price, Dutch, and English clock). 3. Of course, canonical games (ultimatum, dictator, iterated prisoner’s dilemma, and so on). 4. A potpourri of game theoretic concepts ([in]credible threats, punishment, reputation, pre-commitment, moral hazard, cheap talk, costly signaling, Zahavi’s handicap principle, the tit-for-tat strategy). 5. Nash equilibria (nicely, in terms of social conventions à la David Lewis). 6. And voting theory (voting rules like plurality and Borda count, and no-go results like Arrow’s theorem and the Gibbard-Satterthwaite theorem). The explanations also touch lightly, but thoughtfully, on topics ranging from behavioral economics to the evolution of morality. This is a gem, and it gets my vote for the most enjoyable gift for a game theorist that I’ve run into yet. ^_^ A caveat: I am indeed a game theorist, and while I do think non-game theorists may thoroughly enjoy this book (especially if they're parents) as it's certainly written in a very accessible way, I'm well aware that a good part of my enjoyment in it stems from seeing thoughtful and playful applications of concepts that I happen to be familiar with.

The book is interesting, but since my kid is an only child I find most of what it discusses theoretical and not practical. This book is more geared to how to navigate the interests of multiple children.

This thought-provoking little book provides a lively, example-filled introduction to the basics of game theory. Engagingly written and conceptually solid, it surveys the perils of parenting, ably demonstrating theory's relevance to an essential domain of practice. It might well have been titled, not "The Game Theorist's Guide to Parenting," but "The Parent's Guide to Game-Theory," but that's a quibble: game theorists can use it to enhance their parenting, parents can use it to better understand game theory, and people with neither background can simply enjoy it while learning about both. Just one major complaint: Where was this book when I was busy messing up my kids? Highly recommended!

Anyone not familiar with game theory but who normally enjoys a good parenting book might still be a little bored by this one. However, if you're like me in that you prefer your non-fiction mixed with a smattering of math and dry economic principles whenever appropriate AND you happen to be a parent of small children, then the Game Theorist's Guide to Parenting could be the book for you. You'll likely discover you employ some of these tactics already, but didn't realize there was a name for it. The authors make an original case for their methods—a modern twist based on centuries-old ideas—and then provide demonstrations using the paradoxical rules of parental negotiation. Even a term like "parental negotiation," for example, usually means the parents' word is the law (Authoritarian), but the authors argue that this approach still has the side effect of child resentment which in turn causes a slew of other unintended consequences. The goal, after all, is to arrive at an elegant and fair solution even though children possess little more than a nonsensical sense of logic and argument. Then again, you might lack the patience for game theory if you're on a road with a car full of hungry kids trying to find a friggin' place to eat.

This book explains using statistics and psychology to help you with parenting strategies. It seems others found it very engaging and I found it a dry "skimming" sort of book, and this hard to put things into practice because the ideas aren't vivid for me.

Great read, with some good ideas and concepts. Not steeped in 'science-talk', but clear for someone who has no idea of game theory. Made me interested both in improving the way we negotiate with our kids, but also about game theory itself.

I really enjoyed this book as I see much of what is covered as applicable in all areas of society. I really enjoyed the research and homework that went into the references of credible figures in the respective fields. I feel though this is a very basic level though but a great start into the topic of learning about being a parent.

This was alright. Got the audio cd to listen to in the car. Satisfied with the material but it wasn't mind blowing.

Das weiße Cover war beim Öffnen der Versandtasche stark verstaubt und dreckig. Der Schmutz ließ sich leider nicht vollständig abwaschen.

A really well written introduction to some of the key concepts of game theory and the practical uses for parents. Learn to be a more subtle and less vindictive parent!