How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk

This audio tape made me realize why I wasn't getting anywhere with my lengthy lectures as to why we don't do this or that. So far this has proved to work. I will recommend to others.

This is an invaluable book for every parent. Raising children these days calls for open communication and creating that environment where children can flourish. This hits the mark.I just finished another book that should be read also by every parent and teacher.Bully-Proofing Children: A Practical, Hands-On Guide to Stop Bullying is really about empowering children from day one so they don't become bullies or victims.

Gently and easily teach your children to become self-monitoring and self-disciplined (so you can stop nagging)!

This little gem is a great stress reliever, for parents as well as children.

Faber and Mazlish provide reliable information to help us re-think what discipline is and how to teach it. The sample scripts are very helpful. Using this little book, you will find effective strategies to
-- set and enforce limits
-- enable your children to become self-monitoring and self-disciplined
-- enable your children to be responsible for their decisions and consequences
-- strengthen your relationship with your children

Who wouldn't want these results?

While the book is a quick and easy read, the principles are ones you will return to and will rely on. This is one to own.

Don't miss it!

This book follows the same vein of empathic parenting as Alfie Kohn's book Unconditional Parenting; Kids, Parents & Power Struggles (Kurcinka); and Kids Are Worth It! (Coloroso). The difference with this book is that it's less about theory and more about the practical application of those empathic principles. I haven't read Alfie Kohn's book but I've seen one of his lectures so I'm familiar with his ideas, and I understand the criticism that Kohn's work is light on examples. Sure, you may agree with him (or not), but how do you apply those ideas in real life when your child is defying you?

That's where "How to Talk So Kids Will Listen..." comes in. It provides all kinds of examples, some in comics form, to give you ideas for reacting constructively to various situations. The book is somewhat dated having been written almost 30 years ago, but it's still helpful stuff. You may not agree with every example, but you probably don't agree with everything you've read in other parenting books either. Take what works for you and discard what doesn't.

Of the other books I mentioned above, I recommend Kids, Parents & Power Struggles as the book to read before this one. Kids, Parents & Power Struggles will give you a good foundation for understanding empathic parenting without making you feel inadequate or guilty.

I must admit I was disappointed with this CD. It was pretty short and not what I was hoping for. I thought it would deal more with taking to children in a way to give an gain respect and only a small portion was devoted to that subject. But it wasn't a total loss since it did make me stop and think about how I (we) might deny a childs feelings, ie: that child states "I'm hot" but we tell him "no your not it's freezing out here, put on a sweater or go in the house!" , since we are cold. I know it seems basic yet how many times have we done it? I know I have and I can't really say why other than I wasn't really listening.