Tim Murphy, Ph.D., was an assistant professor of pediatrics at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine/Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh and is presently on the adjunct faculty of the school. Since 1996, Dr. Murphy has been a member of the Pennsylvania State Senate and is the only representative with a background in health care. He has served on numerous committees concerned with public health and welfare, education, aging, and youth, and he makes regular appearances on television and radio. Dr. Murphy lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with his wife and daughter. This is his first book.

Loriann Hoff Oberlin is the author of four previous books, including Working at Home While the Kids Are There, Too and Surviving Separation and Divorce: A Woman's Guide to Making It Through the First Year, and contributes to national magazines in a variety of areas. Ms. Oberlin has two sons.