Newton author shares her wisdom on parenting

Ruth Nemzoff of Newton has enjoyed a long and varied career.

The adjunct assistant professor at Bentley College and resident scholar at the Brandeis Women's Studies Research Center has served as assistant minority leader in the New Hampshire Legislature, and her papers are archived at Harvard University's Schlesinger Library.

Now, through her new role as book author, she is sharing her accumulated wisdom from her most cherished responsibility: as mother of four and grandmother of six.

Nemzoff said she wrote "Don't Bite Your Tongue: How to Foster Rewarding Relationships With Your Adult Children" in an effort to counter the myth that parents must silence themselves around their adult children.

Instead, Nemzoff urges parents and children alike to embrace communication and negotiation without fear when dealing with sensitive subjects such as money, relationships, weddings, and grandparenting.

"Life is ambiguous," she said, "which explains why we're all so confused."

Nemzoff will read from her book today at 2 p.m. at the Nashua Public Library; Tuesday at 7 p.m. at the Reading Public Library; Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. at Temple Isaiah in Lexington; and Thursday at 7 p.m. at the Chelmsford Public Library. For more information, go to www.dontbiteyourtongue.com.

Cindy Cantrell