THE EXECUTIVE PARENT

Psychiatrist S. P. Hersh might be on to something when he says that the qualities that make a good executive--ability to relate to people, the productive exercise of power and authority, self-control, problem-solving skills, etc.--are also applicable to parenting, if executives would but use them at home. But his book falls short on application; much of it is consigned to a smorgasbord of colorless tips on how to deal with such diverse problems as alcohol abuse (yours, your children's), making your home a ""refuge,"" and the effects of television, workaholism, and marital discord. Apropos of this last: ""When divorce does occur, remember that it involves intense challenges. . . ."" Despite a short (conciliatory?) section on ""women executives,"" the male gender is usually assumed; this results in an assault on the traditional non-involvement of fathers in the parenting role. Altogether not as new an angle as it may seem.