Living With the Active Alert Child: Groundbreaking Strategies for Parents

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Summary: Living with Active Alert Child
Review: Before you believe the "experts" that your child is ADD or ADHDand put you child on their "drugs" PLEASE read this first. We have a very, very active 5 year old who is very intelligent. We both were in the same catagory as children and survived ( so did our parents and teachers!). We did not cave in to everyone's advice and kept digging. There is a 20 question list in the first chapter, please read that first and you'll know you are not alone, and the book has alot of common sense approaches and good definations of how to and what you are in for. I was relieved and impressed and have further firmed my resolve to hold my child away from the medicines that misdianosis these days which harm our children more than anything.
** Since using this book, He has done wonderful so far in first grade, and almost has done away with his paraprofessional in the classroom. ( I also used Teaching your Child the Language of Social Success, by Marshall Duke) Thanks!

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Summary: Described my son to a tee, and made me feel I'm not alone.
Review: I FINALLY got "Living with your Active Alert Child" and I have to say, I read the whole thing until about 2 am. I am going to read it again. AMAZING!! It described my son right down to the upper respiratory/ear infections to his inability to block out stimuli to how he is at birthday parties to how when I'm stressed he takes on my stress and adds a little of his own. It talks about how they love to "perform", how they need to be in control, how they can't smoothly transition from one thing to another. ! I felt like, when I was a teenager, and would read my horoscope and I would think, "Yup, that is SO me, yup that too, uh-huh". "Active Alert" is my son's sign!! No doubt about it! I feel so less alone, and feel I can now learn TOOLS that I can use, when I feel out of control. Buy this book, if you are reading reviews and are thinking you just "might" have an "active alert" on your hands - this book is well worth the money.

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Summary: Thank Heavens this brilliant book exists
Review: I FINALLY got "Living with your Active Alert Child" and I have to say, I read the whole thing until about 2 am. I am going to read it again. AMAZING!! It described my son right down to the upper respiratory/ear infections to his inability to block out stimuli to how he is at birthday parties to how when I'm stressed he takes on my stress and adds a little of his own. It talks about how they love to "perform", how they need to be in control, how they can't smoothly transition from one thing to another. ! I felt like, when I was a teenager, and would read my horoscope and I would think, "Yup, that is SO me, yup that too, uh-huh". "Active Alert" is my son's sign!! No doubt about it! I feel so less alone, and feel I can now learn TOOLS that I can use, when I feel out of control. Buy this book, if you are reading reviews and are thinking you just "might" have an "active alert" on your hands - this book is well worth the money.

Rating:
Summary: Living with Active Alert Child
Review: I've found very few extremely helpful parenting books. This one tops my short list. The book is very easy for a frustrated, tired and guilt-ridden parent to read. First, it defines the phrase "active alert child" (essentiallly, a very sensitive, perceptive, boundlessly energetic, strong-willed child) and distinguishes this personality type from those labelled "hyperactive" (the key differences being a longer attention span and the ability to focus). Next, the book lists traits shared by active alert children. At age 2 years, my son exhibited all but one of the listed traits, so I knew this book was for me. Then, the book provides anecdotal case histories of other parents who struggled to live with an active alert child and offers guidance.

This book demonstrates that 1) active alert children are BLESSED with energetic, intense personalities; 2) the active alert's behavior is not the result of bad parenting; and 3) you don't have to "cure" your child of his active alertness. I find those points extremely comforting.

I found this book two and a half years ago. Periodically, I take it out and re-read it. If your child insists on wearing his socks, pajamas and underwear inside out because he can't bear the sensation of a seam against his skin, if she becomes frenzied when tired as opposed to calmly winding down, if he was born wise, then you should take a look at this book. It helps.

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Summary: Necessity for parents of high energy children.
Review: Our son is very active and extremely bright. When he plays with others he stands out and unfortunately doesn't seem to understand that people have a space limit and prefer not to have someone in their's. He wants to touch almost everything and is very intuitive. The scariest thing is, he is a lot like me. come to find out, I am an active alert adult. The book covers adults briefly too. This type of child needs more positive reinforcement b/c they are hit with a lot of negativity b/c they are different - not in a better or worse way - just different. He gets up revved and ready to go and will never admit that he's tired - even as his eyelids are slowly closing while he says, "I'm not ..............." zzzzzzzzzzzzz. ha!! ha! I had to find something to better understand his and my behavior and this book helps you to see his skills/talents as gifts instead of as something negative. Our son is also very strong-willed and is a natural leader. This will serve him well in later life - however, as his parents it's hell sometimes. Appreciate your "little pistols" and see them for the wonderful people they are and will grow to be.

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Summary: Invaluable, amazing, a god-send
Review: The key to good parenting is understanding your child, but that's not very easy when your child is so different from "average" children. Linda Budd not only helps you understand this enigma you gave birth to, but she helps you see that the traits that frustrate you the most are actually good, once harnessed. You know this book is for you if: your baby's first year was a nightmare of no sleeping and constant wailing, your child has more energy than a power plant, your newborn seemed very alert and aware of his/her surroundings, other people think your child just needs a good spanking, you've seen other people's small children sitting quietly listening to a story and thought to yourself, "What's wrong with those kids?" I guarantee you will find relief in this book, and a better understanding of your child and how to make your home life a lot smoother. Two thumbs way up!

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Summary: Thank Heavens this brilliant book exists
Review: This book is a Godsend! I was at my wit's end in dealing with one of our twins. He was obviously intelligent, but just didn't get it together. A friend suggested this book, which we read voraciously. One of the things that became clear: I was active-alert, too! No wonder we clashed. I'm not sure that I am any better at things now, but I think I understand him a lot better, which is half the battle. We used the book to help us work with his kindergarten teacher, and that worked well; and we are blessed with a brilliantly understanding first-grade teacher, who can provide boundaries for his behavior without limits to his development.

This book will tell you if your child (or yourself or your partner) fits this category. If there isn't a fit, move on; this book isn't for you and you need to consult other literature. If you find a fit, this book is what you need. It explains why the behavior occurs, what is probably missing from the child's environment, and how you can work with the child's behavior. It lets you understand, as well as develop strategies so that you can work together for harmony in the family. You may never achieve 'peace', but harmony is a pretty good outcome.

For us, there are still bad days and weeks. But Jonathon no longer has to ask the terrible question he once did: "Does Daddy really love us?" And I know that my son does love me, despite all we have been through, perhaps because of what we have all been through.

As an adult 'active alert', life is not always easy. Being by nature a 'non-conformist' is a recipe for disaster in many areas. But this book has helped me see how to manage my life a little better and to use the gifts I have, while keeping an eye out for the effect of the weaknesses that this type has.

Rating:
Summary: Invaluable, amazing, a god-send
Review: When I first picked up this book and looked through it, I thought "when was this woman in my house?" We've clung to it like a lifeline. It was such a relief to know it wasn't us, there wasn't 'something wrong with him', and that there were ways to cope. I've recommended this book to several people who have been equally thrilled. I've been able to use things learned to help him in school, help him with transition times, and head off some of the explosions. Life will never be calm and peaceful with an active alert in the house, but that doesn't mean it's a bad thing!

We've been especially blessed to become part of Linda's client base and meet with her several times/year. Let me just say, she's amazing!!!!!! Buy this book!!!!