Rating: 
Summary: As in all advise, take some, leave the rest.
Review: I found the book to be similer to the "Love and Logic" series that is popular today. Like Love and Logic, it encourages giving kids choices (which works well for my daughter some of the time), and allowing your kids room to solve their own problems. It also has helped me to not always be quick to judge and advise, but rather step back and allowing a learning situation to occur. The ideas are not just good dicipline techniques, but also teach kids about being self sufficient and self reliant. While this all sounds great, it takes a lot of practice. And not every "trick" works for every child. I found a lot of good advise in the book, have put some to work, and am anxious to try more. But as I stated before, it is simple good advise that I am taking under consideration as I strive to be a good parent. If you have not read Love and Logic, I encourage you to try those as well. Boy, is parenting hard!!
Rating: 
Summary: Some good advice, but not quite my style
Review: I have two small children (2 and 4) and I was looking for some practical advice on discipline, etc. This book has some good ideas in it. I like that it recognizes the child as an individual and recognizes that they need to have their own opinions on issues directly pertaining to their lives. It has some great ideas on how to rephrase some of your "lectures" so a child doesn't feel attacked. However, I don't like the amount of freedom the authors want you to offer to your child. I am NOT an overly strict parent, but I think that the adult has the final say and that sometimes you get to override a child with "because I said so" when the issue truly is not open for discussion. I also had to stop reading at one point near the end when the authors were discussing praise of a child who sat the dinner table correctly and without having to be asked. The mother was telling the father what a good job the son had done and remarked that he "even remembered to get you your beer." Need I say more? This book has quite a few good individual ideas but the package just really isn't my style.
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: 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.
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