Rating: 
Summary: educational, insightful
Review: I'm about 1/2 way through this book and am already finding it useful. I am realizing how many ways and times I undermine my child's feelings. One of the biggest things I've learned is so simple: when he says "I'm hungry" or "I'm not tired" I tend to say, "How can you be hungry? You just ate!" or "Yes, you must be tired, it's already 9:00!" This basically says to him, "you don't know what you're feeling and what you're saying is invalid." I've learned several new ways to explore why he's saying what he is and get to the root of it without sending him the message that he's a big dummy who doesn't know what he thinks. Some of the exercises in the book aren't realistic unless you are lucky enough to have a lot of quiet, undisturbed time. Also, most of the tactics won't work with 3 year olds or younger, but it's a great book to get you thinking and planning for how to effectively listen to and be heard by your growing toddler.
Rating:
Summary: Loved it! It really works!
Review: Loved this book! Every time I use the techniques, I get great results. One day my 6-year-old son was very angry about something that happened at school. I used the techniques and easily diffused the situation, he resolved the situation himself during our conversation and we moved on to a delightful day. The problem is retraining myself to think before I speak. There are a few parts of the book that go a little slow, but the concrete examples and cartoons are excellent.
Rating:
Summary: Invaluable resource!!
Review: During my first pregnancy, my husband would have loved for me to write HIM a book about childrearing so that he'd know what to do! He's never worked with kids, doesn't know much about early childhood development, and pretty much wanted me to set the tone for how we would raise and discipline ours. I didn't think I'd find a book that hit the nail on the head as perfectly as this one, but lo and behold! This book is flawless! It's a light read, but PACKED with truly useful content. There were several "AHA!" moments in reading it... I would say to myself, "Of COURSE! That's exactly how I felt as a kid!" [helpless, insulted, powerless, resigned, apathetic]. I could look back and admit how much better I would have behaved if I had felt respected, acknowledged, and empowered to help resolve a situation. The exercises and examples do an excellent job of putting up a mirror to the reader's face. They challenge the parent to experience their own words from the child's perspective. It's difficult to back away from the controlling habit; it's tough for parents to let go of the "I'm the parent, and I'm in charge here" card. But when the book asks point-blank, "How would you feel if someone responded to you in this way...? How about if they responded like this instead...?", there is just no room for argument! It suddenly 'clicks' to the reader just how fruitless these power-struggles really are. And the book replaces these old habits with better tools - ones that will really get results. I love that the authors stress putting yourself in the child's shoes. Too few "experts" willingly concede that kids are human beings deserving of (and craving) the same respect we want for ourselves. I also love that the case studies show that kids whose feelings are respected are more likely to learn to respect others' feelings. That is such a simple truth, and so many child-rearing books overlook it.
Rating: 
Summary: Good Advice for Every Parent
Review: This book offers a series of useful tips and tricks to help keep your sanity when the little ones seem to be taking over the house. Very worthwhile and a valuable reference text to keep handy.
Rating:
Summary: When You Need to Hear the Obvious
Review: This book is straightforward and simple, though not simplistic. Its suggestions are wonderful and extremely agreeable. I often found myself chuckling, "Duh," as I read the advice, but really laughing at myself for knowing I would never have come up with these concepts in a million years. Get it!-That's my advice.
Rating: 
Summary: A good book but needs updating
Review: This book has some great concepts but I think it's somewhat outdated. The examples are often based on the mom at home/dad at work scene that doesn't fit my family. I like the general tone and the idea that respectful discipline is the right answer. I found a few other books that follow this way of thinking but that are more contemporary and fit many different kinds of families, Kid Cooperation and The 10 Greatest Gifts I Give My Children are two worth looking at.
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Summary: I love This Book!!!
Review: What an awesome book! Easy to read and chock full of great advice on raising happy and healthy kids. This book reminds me of "The Child Whisperer" by Matt Pasquinilli. Both books give you ideas and simple tools to get your kids to listen to you in a non-punitive way. Buy both books for a comprehensive understanding of how language affects your child's entire life.
Rating:
Summary: EVERY PARENT SHOULD READ THIS BOOK!
Review: In this book are the tools that parents need to communicate effectively with their children. The suggestions allow parents to gain cooperation, encourage children to open up, and solve problems with our children -- all without yelling, name-calling, and bullying. I sometimes use the hints like scripts, when I'm having a really hard time coming up with my own words. My friends marvel at how I treat my children with respect and how well we get along. On the other hand, the book does not say that parents should repress our emotions and always be "nicey-nicey" to our children. Instead, the authors say that we can express our irritation, anger, or upset while remaining respectful to our children. The ideas in this book work. The authors are my heroes!
Rating:
Summary: A classic book on parenting
Review: This book is such a classic that there are parenting courses based on it. It's easy to read and full of timeless good advice. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: This book is wonderful
Review: I was refered to this book when my children were very small.
Now they are 19 and 16. Every day I am rewarded with the benefits of the knowledge imparted by the authors. If this
information is incorporated into your daily interactions, you
can get kids to do what you want without nagging, badgering, etc. Most importantly children get the message
in a way that preserves their self-respect. Highly recomended.
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