borumi's review against another edition

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3.0

저도 남편도 어찌보면 좀 domineering하는 어머니 밑에서 자라서 자신감을 잃은 어린시절이 있던 것 같아요.

근데 그 당시 어머니들은 먹고살기도 바빠서 그런지 본인들의 육아방식에 의문을 그다지 두지 않았던 것같고

지금도 '예전에 엄마가 이래서 상처입었다'고 말하면 쇼크먹고 오히려 분개하더라구요..;;;



그에 반해 요즘 엄마들은 본인이 너무 나쁜 부모가 아니었는지 반성이 너무 심하면서 우왕좌왕하는 듯한데..

가장 중요한 것은

아이도 나쁜 아이 착한 아이 정해진 것이 아니듯

나쁜 부모 좋은 부모가 정해진 것이 아니고

계속 변화하고 서로에게 영향을 주겠죠.



실은 이 책 예전에 읽어서 이번이 재독인데.. 다시 읽어도 좋네요.

그리고 이전에는 너무 아이가 어려서 생각하지 못했던 부분도

더 잘 적용할 수 있는 것 같아서 기뻐요.^^



그리고 아이에게 너그러워지고 공감하게 되니

제 자신에게도 너그러워지는 것 같아서 너무 좋더라구요.

hhasen's review against another edition

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hopeful informative reflective medium-paced

4.0

mychaelann's review against another edition

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5.0

I have read a lot of parenting books and this is hands down the best one I've come across! So good it makes me sad that I didn't discover it long ago. In the few short weeks since I started listening to it and trying the techniques here and there I can already feel a difference. I'd love to go to one of their workshops. A wonderful resource for anyone that teaches, parents, etc...

ginnikin's review against another edition

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I'm sure more of this was new when it was first published, but it was mostly well-known by now. (Gotta remember to check dates before reading stuff.) The skill of describing what you see when reacting to a child's creative endeavour is great advice.

notschshelby's review against another edition

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informative fast-paced

4.5

rjskitt's review against another edition

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3.0

I tried to read this book twice. The concepts are solid. I was able to use many of their tips to improve my communication and my relationship with my kids. But I was so put off by the way they say NOT to speak to your kids that I couldn't even read any more. Calling kids names like "dumb", insulting them, etc. I know that they are telling me not to say these things but I cannot even imagine ever saying anything like this to my kids (or to anyone else, for that matter!). I was never spoken to in this manner as a child either, growing up in the 70's and 80's. It just makes the rest of the book tough to read.

libbydmccarthy's review against another edition

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5.0

Really great. Had a lot of similar things to "Between Parent and Child" and "Happiest Toddler on the block", but I think it was presented in a way that feels applicable to any age. A book worth owning to reference again later.

I want to take notes for myself to summarize the main points, but if you want to understand the "why's", and get the benefit of the many, many helpful examples of application, you'll have to read the book :D

*Helping deal with feelings* (this is a good chapter to actually read through the examples to get an idea of what they mean)
1. Listen with full attention
2. Acknowledge their stated feelings with a word- "Oh", "Mmmm", "I see" (Instead of questions or advice)
3. Give their feelings a name- You sound sad. That must feel disappointing. (Instead of denying the feeling, "oh, you'll be fine." or "you can't really be upset about that!")
4. Give them their wishes in fantasy- I wish I could give you all the treats you wanted. Wouldn't that be great if you only ate cake all day long?! (instead of "no. you can't have it" or long explanations)

*Strategies for Encouraging Cooperation*
(instead of blaming/accusing, name-calling, threatening, commanding, lecturing/moralizing, warning, martyrdom statements, sibling comparing, sarcasm or prophecy)
-Describe what you see or the problem (I see a wet towel on my bed.)
-Give information (That wet towel is going to get my bedding wet)
- Say it with ONE word (Towel!) - great when you tend to lecture (like me)
-Talk about your feelings (I really don't like sleeping in a wet bed. or I'm worried my bedding is getting wet right now)
- Write a note (Dear Child, I wish I were with my friends hanging up. Love, Your Towel)
- Humor

*Alternatives to Punishment*
-especially for young toddlers: "X is not for Y-ing. Z is for Y-ing"

-Point out a way to be helpful instead
-Express strong disapproval without attacking character
-State your expectations
-Show(tell) the child how to make amends

-Offer a choice between 2 acceptable situations you approve of (If they don't pick either one, let them know you will choose for them. Also, their actions can show you what they chose. Point it out to them)
-Take action
-Allow the child to experience the consequences of their misbehavior

Problem-Solving
1. State kid feelings/wants
2. State adult feelings/wants
3. Brainstorm and write down all possible solutions from all parties, without judgement
4. Cross of anything anyone has a problem with
5. Make a plan of how to fulfill the solution (who does what, by what day, etc.)
Note: no blaming or accusing allowed i.e. "that won't work because you always/never XX". "No accusations about the past. Right now we are trying to find a solution for the future"
-It's ok to revisit if a solution didn't end up working
-If they won't sit down to problem solve, try writing letters back and forth

-Don't ask "who did it?" Turn focus away from blame and to improvement. (can have everyone pitch in to solve the problem, when there's dispute about who did it)

*Encouraging Autonomy*
1. Let children make choices
2. Show respect for a childs' struggle ("it can be hard to tie laces")
3. Don't ask too many questions (Just show happiness to be around the child. Can try, "I'd love to hear about how XX went, when you feel ready to talk about it.")
4. Don't rush to answer questions, bounce them back and get their perspective
5. Encourage children to use sources outside the home.
6. Don't take away hope (don't crush their dreams.) Let them tell you about them.
7. Let them own their own body
8. Stay out of Minutiae of a Child's Life
9. Don't talk about a child in front of them, no matter the age. (Exception: give praise about something they did)
10. Let a child answer for themselves
11. Show respect for their eventual readiness, but let them know you expect they'll be ready eventually ("You'll go down the slide when you're ready.")
12. Avoid saying "no" by:
-Giving relevant information which will allow them to infer a "no". "Dinner will be ready in 5 minutes [so you can't go to your friends' house]"
-Accept feelings ("You love staying at the park. It's hard leaving when you are having a good time")
- Describe the Problem (Instead of "No we can't" say, "The problem is..." and tell them why)
- When possible, substitute yes. Maybe it's a no now, but not later? ("Yes, you may have a cookie, after you eat a healthy lunch")
- Give yourself time to think ("I'd like to think about that before I answer you")

13. Avoid giving advice. Instead:
-Help them sort out thoughts and feelings. "From what you're telling me, you seem to have 2 conflicting feelings:..."
-Restate the problem as a question. "So, you are wondering how you be at a party and deal with the girls who like to gossip?"
-Point out resources outside the home they could use
Only after these steps and they have had time to think about solutions can you offer your opinions/solution ideas. But only phrase ideas asking for their input, Ex. "How would you feel about this idea?" And offer your input as feelings ("If it were me, I would feel XX if I did Y"), not as "you should do X".

*Praise*
Note to self: look for more opportunities to praise
Instead of evaluating/labeling ("great job!" or "you're so smart!") focus on praising the behavior.

1. Describe what you see (I see a clean floor, smooth bead and organized books!)
2. Describe what you feel (I feel so good when I'm in a clean room!)
3. Sum up their good behavior with a word (Now that's what I call organization!)

"You did XXX. That really shows YYY"

-Avoid "I'm so proud of you". Keep it about them: "You must feel proud of yourself!"
- Avoid "I knew you could do it!" Describe why you knew, "That award represents all your hard work and dedication"

-For those afraid of failure:
-When upset, don't minimize their distress ("it can be frustrating to work so hard and not have it turn out just the way you planned")
-Point out the positive in the mistake - what was learned. ("you just found out what happens when X")
-Point out our own mistakes, what we learned from it/how we can avoid it again.

*Freeing Children from Playing Roles*

Note to self: take time to think about what labels I have given my children, or they have given themselves and brainstorm each step.

Positive labels can be just as harmful (puts on pressure to live up to) as negative ones

1. Look for new opportunities to show the child a new picture of themselves. (Catch them doing the opposite. Be creative)
2. Put children in situations where they can see themselves differently (Assign the "greedy child" to pass out treats to everyone)
3. Let children overhear you say something positive about what they did
4. Model the behavior ("man, I hate losing, but at least I had fun while I played the game! Good job!")
5. Be a storehouse for your child's special moments- Be ready to remind them of times when they showed they broke out of their negative roles
6. When they behave as the old label, state your feelings and expectations. (to the whiner, "That way of talking upsets me. Can you say it in a different way?")

kalinkous369's review against another edition

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informative medium-paced

4.0

Helpful tools, but meant for children that are a bit older (maybe 6-13 or so). 

hayo's review against another edition

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2.0

Good ideas, just could be more concise.

amandasupak's review against another edition

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5.0

I read how to talk so little kids would listen first, and this one is very similar in technique. It is updated for specific advice for kids which I found interesting