Rating: 
Summary: If you count them, they will come
Review: ...Well I must tell you that this book worked miracles on our 9 year old and after only 2 weeks using it I hardly ever get past the number 1. Not only is this book full of great methods and advice but it gives BOTH parents a single, simple goal to focus on when dealing with day to day dicipline problems. This book has not only dramatically increased the cooperation and responsiveness of our child but had greatly improved the day to day relationship between us, the parents. No more yelling, no more negotiating, no more drama just follow the procedure in the book and there isn't any room left for unacceptable behavior. I highly recommend this book and would suggest that any parent experiencing difficulty with dicipline and knowing what to do and what not to do should obtain a copy as soon as possible. Good luck!
Rating: 
Summary: Nothing new
Review: There is nothing new in this book. If your kids are not doing what you say, you just count 1, 2 and on 3 you put your kid in time-out. If you can't figure this out for yourself or are not a very good parent to start with, this is your book. There must be better books on disipline, but I really haven't looked. I just know that this book contains nothing new. Oh yeah, on top of that, I have a hard time reading a book on disipline that mildly support spanking and the such. True, there is no outright acceptance of spanking by the author, but it seemed clear to me in reading 123 that the author did not really look down on spanking and may have even considered it a good form of disipline. But that is a side note. (There is useful information in the book, just nothing that makes it worth buying).
Rating:
Summary: Be consistent and this method will change your life
Review: Dr. Phelan's simple method WILL work when used consistently. Our difficult three year old responded very well, and our 18 month old caught on simply by observing her older brother. No more yelling, or trying to rationalize with an agitated toddler who can't understand. The kids still mis-behave at times, but now we have an effective response that de-escalates the situation, teaches the kids a lesson, and saves us emotional stress. What more can you ask?
Rating: 
Summary: One size does not fit all
Review: This book is overly simplistic. It assumes that all children are the same and will respond the threatened 1-2-3- you're in Time Out. This book lacks alternatives for children who don't respond "textbook". Also, I find it discomforting to "train" my children to ignore me the first three times I tell them to do something - which is what this book is really telling you to do. One warning. (Go ahead and ignore me) Two warnings (Don't bother to listen just yet) Three warnings (You have a few more minutes to misbehave) OK, now you're in time out. What exactly does this TEACH? Also, what about more severe situations? If my son is hitting his brother in the face with a toy truck, I certainly shouldn't be standing there saying, "Kyle, that's one!" I found other books to be much more realistic and practical, such as: Perfect Parenting: The Dictionary of 1000 Parent Tips. Because I want my kids to listen to me without my having to threaten them with a time out.
Rating:
Summary: Magic, it is!!
Review: This really works! I was skeptical at first but after watching the video with the family and starting the progam right away..I thought "This can't be true", it's so easy. The school counselor referred me to this and I just had to get the book. My 5 year old son whom attends kindergarten was in time out just about everyday. I would get phone calls to my office of his misbehavior. We had tried the talking, yelling and the spanking. It would only work for the following school day. Nothing seemed to work, it didn't matter if we took his toys aways. I was begining to think I had failed at being a parent. Now I know that that is not the case. The phone calls from school had come to a complete stop and in the last 2 weeks of school since starting this program, my son got 8 stars on his chart!! I love it! Of all things, my son enjoys this 1-2-3 Magic. He pretty much stops at "1" and at times he will go to "2". Overall, it's like a game, before I count him, I ask him if I have to count him and he stops at that. The atmosphere in our home has changes alot. It's more like the happy family atmosphere you see on TV. I love every minute of it. I would recommend this book to anyone with children. I hear myself whispering "that's 1" to kids I see while shopping. I know it sounds to easy, well it is. You just have to try it!
Rating:
Summary: Great for "Stop" behaviors
Review: I recommend this book frequently to parents and use it with my kids for "stop" behavior. It works almost like "magic" with my 10-year old ADHD daughter. My 3 year old usually goes all the way to "3" and has to go to her room. But that is okay too and it reduces the emotion and anger. I am less enthusiastic about the "start" behavior methods -- especially since he seemed to ignore the possibility of working parents. While you may want to allow your child to get herself ready for school and take responsibility for being late, he doesn't suggest what you may do if both parent's work and this would make the parents late as well. I hope he will consider and address this in a future version. All in all, a great book. Read the entire book, then reread the first 73 pages over and over. (Hey, if the later chapters work for you -- great, but worth it if only for the first several.)
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Summary: An end to yelling and arguing!
Review: This book and the 1-2-3 program were a lifesaver for our family. Our older son is very willful and would argue and fight and throw fits over anything and everything that he didn't like. Giving him a timeout or taking away a privilege used to turn into an hour-long battle. With this program, especially the "no talking, no emotion" rule, he quickly learned that we meant business and there was no point to arguing. His behavior has improved immensely, and find ourselves not yelling or getting angry nearly as much as we used to, so we all get along much better. Highly recommend!
Rating:
Summary: Simple, effective, and painless strategies for disciplining
Review: "Dr. Phelan's book is not just about a theory. It is about a system that works - like "magic"! In a humorous, easy-to-read format. Dr. Phelan describes a simple, non-harming method for stopping misbehavior and starting desired behaviors, based on basic behavioral principles and child development." "But what if...? The author has an amazing ability to supply the reader with the answers to all of the "what ifs" and "yeah, buts". In my opinion, this is an indication of the highly applicable principles. He has all of the answers, because he's heard all of the questions and figured out what the appropriate methods are to troubleshooting them." Read my entire review at: http://login.bellaonline.com/family/parenting/early_childhood/articles/art964222637996.htm
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Summary: Kids Misbehave For A Reason
Review: This book may work for some children, but it's main fault, like so many other discipline books, is that it doesn't address what to do, when the method doesn't work. If the child doesn't stay in time out, what do you do? Lock them in their room. I'm not comfortable with that. The book suggests in that case, the family should consider counselling, which means that we look at the need of the child which is behind the misbehaviour. I could have done that from the beginning. I would recommend a book such as Parent Effectiveness Training that does address "what if the method doesn't work". Kids misbehave for a reason - usually a need that is not being met, and kids are not the best at asking for their needs to be met directly, so they choose annoying indirect ways that we label as misbehaviour. This book addresses the symptoms, not the underlying cause.
Rating: 
Summary: A technique all parents should learn
Review: The technique works well, with most kids. Great with my daughter, not so well with my very stubborn son. I loaned the books to several friends and all appreciated it. I believe that most child psychologists support the concept.
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