Tom McMahon is an internationally published parenting expert who has collected more child-rearing tips than anyone in the world. Believing that every parent has a tip, McMahon created his weekly column, “Kid Tips,” for the Portland Oregonian in 1992, and it was picked up for syndication in the fall of 1999. King Features Syndicate began distributing the column in 2001.
While struggling to potty-train his young daughter, McMahon sought advice and ideas from his family and friends. They offered tips that worked for them, as well as practical ideas to make parenting a little easier. Inspired by the outpouring of enthusiastic advice he received, McMahon posted fliers around his community every day asking other parents to share their most valuable and successful child-care tips.
        After collecting 200 tips, McMahon submitted his story to The San Jose Mercury News, which was the first of more than 100 newspapers and magazines to publish an article about his quest for parenting tips. Tips arrived by the hundreds from parents across North America – and McMahon’s “Kid Tips” column was born.
          “Every time parents read my column, my goal is for them to walk away with at least one great idea, which is why my column is geared to parents with children of ALL ages,” says McMahon.
         As one of the most sought-after parenting experts in the country, McMahon has appeared on more than 140 TV and radio shows, including CNN, “Good Morning America”, and “The Oprah Winfrey Show.” McMahon’s two appearances on “Oprah” propelled his book “Kid Tips” to No. 8 on Amazon.com and No. 12 on Barnes and Noble.com, both of which carry 5 million titles. McMahon’s child-care tips also have been featured in more than 150 newspapers and magazines. His book “Kid Tips” has also been published in Europe, Scandinavia, and South America.
         McMahon is a frequent guest speaker on parenting and a consultant to businesses and corporations. He was a national spokesman for General Motors’ teen driver education program (go to "Video Clips"), Microsoft's "Games for Windows" and Hollywood Video's "Game Crazy"; a workshop presenter for Toyota, Amgen Corporation, Mitsubishi Motor Company and Universal Studios; and a consultant to the writers of NBC’s adolescent television shows “Hang Time” and “Saved By The Bell.” Earlier this year, after writing about teen issues for the Supernanny show/Web site, he was given the title "Supernanny Expert."
         He is the author of three books, including “Kid Tips: Proven Childcare Tips From Experienced Parents Across the Country”; “Orient: Hero Dog Guide of the Appalachian Trail”; and “Teen Tips: A Practical Survival Guide For Parents with Kids 11-19.”
        A counselor and full-time psychology professor at Ohlone College in Fremont, California, since 1976, Tom McMahon grew up in San Diego and now resides in the San Francisco Bay Area with his wife, Nancy, and daughters, Amber and Kelly.