Rating: 
Summary: Finally, some GOOD advice!
Review: How many times had I heard, "yup, he's all boy" or "he sure is active", or "he just needs a good spanking"...but I always felt that no one truly understood what I was going through with my "spirited" child. I read "The Strong Willed Child" by Dobson, I read "The Dicipline Book" by Dr. Sears, still nothing seemed to explain the problems I was having with my child. I had just about decided that I must have done something wrong to make him behave the way he does, when I found this book. What a relief! It isn't anything I have done to make my son the way he is. But the book gave me such practical and effective advice on how to work with his personality instead of against it.Any parent of a spirited child will tell you that traditional discipline techniques don't work. Time outs? Are you kidding? I'dd have to tie my kid into a chair or lock him in his room! Now I realize what sets him off and I can often avoid the "naughty" behavior. No more quick trips to the bank or grocery store after preschool. He is totally tapped out by the time he gets home, and it is time for quiet/alone time in his room so he can recharge and be sociable again. My parents kept telling me he should be sleeping through the night, when at age 2 he still was waking up during the night. In their eyes, he was just spoiled. "Let him cry" they would say. What they didn't understand, was that a spirited child does not cry themselves to sleep like other children, they cry themselves awake! Sometimes to the point of vomiting because they get so worked up! I could go on and on, but the bottom line is, this book truly saved my sanity. I feel like a better parent as a result of it and I know my relationship with my son has improved dramatically.
Rating: 
Summary: wonderful!
Review: being crazy by trying to figure out my 2 year old, i was very excited about this book. it had quizzes to take for both you, your spouse, and your childs personality types. with this information, i was able to better figure out the situations each of us needed "individual space" or more attention...i can better evaluate my son and more easily predict his temper tantrums. excellent book!
Rating:
Summary: Reflections on myself
Review: This book was very good in helping me determine if our child is a spirited child. But what I enjoyed most about this book was that it helped me determine if my husband and I are spirited adults. Much to my surprise we are! This book helped to point out things that we do as parents that will directly impact reactions in our sprited child. It speaks the truth as to how a spirited child will not cry out a tantrum, or how eating is a major obstacle. I knew our child was spirited before he was born, and since his birth his actions and reactions have proven such. Our child is only 10-months old, but I can tell that I will be refering back to this book many times throughout his developmental years.
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Summary: If you have a child with ADHD, you need this book!
Review: This was the first book that dealt with the symptoms of ADHD in a POSITIVE manner. What a relief to find someone who has something nice to say about extra energy, impulsiveness and non-stop action. I cried when I read several of the chapters. Our son was just being diagnosed and I was at the end of my rope. This book deals with how parents can cope with the everyday situations that spirited kids have a hard time with.You know, family dinners, putting on socks, getting out the door in the morning. It was extremely helpful and comforting to read this book. I felt as though I was talking with a friend who had been through what I was going through. Not just for ADHD kids. Like the title says-for kids who are spirited and just MORE. You know who you are!!Worth every penny and then some!
Rating:
Summary: Don't Know What I Would Have Done Without It!
Review: I was looking for a book that described my oldest at the age of 2 back in 1992 and all I could find were books that had a negative approach to raising such a child-the difficult child, the strong willed child, etc., yet I felt my child was none of those. When I came upon "Raising Your Spirited Child" I felt I had found an author who appreciated these children for who they are, not what they should be. The biggest gift the author gave me was to learn to manage my child, not control him/her. As the author talked about how my child is not "difficult", but is more of certain characteristics, I soon learned to appreciate them as gifts, rather than something difficult. I finally understood that our limit for errands was 2 stores due to all the bright lights, colors and sounds; how he is more perceptive and notices a horse in the distance (it took me a while to see what he was pointing at!); his energy and how we could do more activities; how he could focus on an activity for a very long time; his increased sensitivity and how he can empathize with others and so on. The best part is the author takes the view that these children are along a continuum, not categorized. Taking the self-test and seeing where your child and you fall on the continuum can be an eye-opener, especially when you are both spirited! When all my friends were reading (and suggesting)Parenting with Love and Logic, "Raising Your Spirited Child" is what I was reading because it worked for us. So don't be surprised when some of the suggestions are contrary to Klein's book, but you can't reason with a child who is more persistent and more energetic, they'll wear you out! There are also great tips on the so-called difficult times-bed time, meal time, getting dressed, etc. As a parent of 2 spirited children and one spunky child, I consider this book the best guide to raising a spirited child and remember, if you have a child that falls on this continuum, you'll rarely have to ask "What should we do next?"
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Summary: She understands a strong-willed kid!
Review: This book is a must-have if you have a high energy strong willed child. The first thing this author does is help you understand your child and helps you feel better about not being able to "control" all his behavior. She makes you realize that you are not alone. She then gives alot of practical ideas that can help. Unlike other books that assume a textbook response from your child to the ideas, the author understands that these kids will usually respond in the exact opposite way that you hoped - but she gives lots of options and helps you find the ways that work for you. I'd also recommend a new book called: Hidden Messages, What Your Words and Actions Are Really Teaching Your Child. It's like a chicken soup for the soul that uses stories to teach very practical parenting skills.
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Summary: I'm Not Alone!!
Review: I cried when I read the first chapter of this book. I am so glad to find out that I'm not alone. I was at my wits end with a VERY spirited 4 year old. This book has helped me to understand my spirited child and has helped me to know how to deal with him. We are both MUCH happier. Before you label you child as being difficult or hyper, read this book. It just may save you both!
Rating:
Summary: LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS BOOK
Review: I've read a slew of parenting books and this one truly enlightened me. If your child fits most of the categories in the book title, you must read this book! It is easy reading and will help you understand your child's personality. I have shared it with many friends and highly recommend it. It will help you see your child in a new (and brighter) light.
Rating:
Summary: Not Like Me
Review: When I read this book I was the perplexed mom of a very spirited two-year-old. I just didn't understand where my son got his tenacity. I've always been reserved and was extremely shy as a child. My son is nothing like me! I liked Ms. Kurcinka's book because it shows how to measure your own response to a situation next to your child's response even though the two of you might have completly different personalities. After having read this book am I better able to predict and handle my son's energetic behavior and I also realize that he'll probably never be just like me.
Rating:
Summary: Such an Eye Opener
Review: This book has been extremely helpful in understanding my children. It has helped me to see things in new light and with new labels. I feel I can appreciate my children's actions and motivations much better now. Thanks!
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