A review by lmimperfect
1-2-3 Magic: Effective Discipline for Children 2-12 by Thomas W. Phelan

3.0

I enjoy picking up parenting books every so often. Fresh perspectives are a great time to reflect (determine what's working or what could be better). I read and loved "Oh Crap! I Have a Toddler," written by Jamie Glowacki and have done summary reading on the 1-2-3 method this book covers. What I like is that they both emphasize the early stages as authoritarian, setting boundaries and establishing them in healthy ways, but being sure to be firm. "Many parents complicate their job of discipline by being too nice" was one of my favorite quotes because it summarizes that parenting is a job and suggests we approach it from that perspective, especially in skill and behavior training. Being a nurturing parent and setting boundaries do not operate independently, it's why our jobs are so complex. I liked Jamie’s book better of the two (she’s straightforward and not as polished), but I think there were plenty of good points and reminders that this quick read was worth a skim if it vibes with your parenting philosophy. 3.5 stars