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Summary: 123 magic
Review: I highly reccommend this book to parents who are looking for a simple effective way to discipline their children. It's clear, concise instructions make it easy to start the program. A mere 60+ pages to read for the stop behaviors (a one night read) and you are ready to begin. I have shared this book with many fellow parents and they are amazed at how it really does work.
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Summary: I feel like I finally found "The Manual"
Review: I love this book for its direct step-by-step approach. The author seems to have thought of every contingency and provides a method to handle it. This method really does work. I believe by discouraging talking, the author is merely discouraging repetitive, emotionally charged, dialogue. I explain to my child one time why I object to the behavior and then after that I begin the counting method. I wasn't crazy about the author's use of the term "training". This really isn't as much about training as it is about not letting your child control every situation. We have more quality, fun time now that we aren't spending all of our time in rediculous battles of will. My children seem more content and secure now that they don't have the pressure of running the show.
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Summary: Teaches your child NOT to listen to you
Review: Maybe I'm too old fashioned, but I'd rather not have to tell my children anything 3 times. I like to have my kids listen to me the first time I tell them to do something. When one of my kids is having a public tantrum I want it to stop NOW, not after I give three warnings. There's something stange about calmly saying "Thats 1." to a child who is engaged in intentional misbehavior. It's like saying "You have three more warnings before you have to stop." I also think that kids need to learn from their mistakes. Saying "That's two" doesn't teach anything. I'd rather use more descriptive explaining so they can learn how to behave in the future. If you want some instructions on using positive parenting skills and raising kids who behave the FIRST time you tell them to try this book: Kid Cooperation: How to Stop Yelling, Nagging and Pleading.
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Summary: Not Exactly Geared for a Two Year Old!
Review: After reading this book, I found the philosophy to be pretty much on target. The author explains that you cannot always reason with a child who wants his own way, so do not get into an argument with an irrational child. Sometimes the fewer words spoken, the better. I do intend on using this approach with my child when she is a little older. However, I do not think this approach is good for a two year old who is unable to verbally communicate his needs. I think that the title is a bit misleading. I believe that the book is geared more for ages 3 and up. I feel strongly that there must be a certain level of verbal communication present for this approach to truly work.
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Summary: If your kid's out of control, try this! It really works.
Review: I worked in a psych hospital for a couple of years with highly assaultive, out of control children and teenagers. This method worked for us, and some of the teens I worked with should have been in jail, to tell the truth. This method sounds too good to be true, but believe me, if you're consistent with it, and do it as described, it WILL work for you.
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Summary: EXCELLENT PARENTING BOOK!
Review: I was browsing the book section of my local book store when I happened upon a copy of 123 Magic by Thomas Phelan P.H.D.. As the parent of 2 hyperactive boys, this book was the ONLY book that I have found that is logical and practical in it's parenting applications. This is the best book I've found for effective parenting for those of us blessed with "special" children. I bought two copies (one for myself and one to loan out) The copy I loan out has been across the United States two times in the period of a year. The books was such a success that the school principal ordered a few copies for our school library. I highly recommend this book to all parents (but especially to those that are at the end of thier rope). I call it my parenting Bible! It's also quite funny and very easy to read.
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Summary: THROW THIS BOOK AWAY!
Review: I am the parent of a very strong willed 3 yr old girl and this book was recmmended by several friends.I bought it with high expectations, but I was extremely disappointed and frankly disgusted with the overall tone of the book. Skepical, I still tried the 1-2-3- technique, followed the "rules" exactly as described in the book for several months before finally dropping the 1-2-3 method when the behaviors just got worse! Finally, a few simple tips from a friend (and family therapist)made all the difference in the world. Probably much to this author's dismay, those tips included actually talking to my child!WOW! Imagine that!An environment where communication is ok and allows me to develop a deeper relationship and better understanding of my child. She now knows her boundaries and who is "boss" and is a much happier compliant child, with out intimidation on my part.Children are not "wild animals"! They are small human beings with emotions and feelings. It is our job to guide, not "train" them. If we encourage mutual respect amd communication as the method for problem solving, our children will grow to be better adults and citizens. "Kids are worth it" and "Parenting the strong willed child" are much better books. THROW THIS BOOK AWAY!
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Summary: It Works--and it's Powerful
Review: Easy to read, easy to employ method. Almost too simple to believe that it would work, but it does. Not only did it work on my difficult 3-year-old, but we brought it into his daycare where he ceased to be a problem and they started using it on the others too. Now I'm ordering it in Spanish for his new nanny!
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Summary: Wonderful Behavior Plan for ALL Children
Review: I have found the book to be instrumental in my profession - Education. When Dr. Phelan's methods are used correctly, tremendous improvements are seen quickly. I recommended the book to all parents of young children, educators, and behavior specialists.
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Summary: The Best Book I ever read on the Subject
Review: This book is the best book I've ever read on the subject of child discipline. Written in easy and humourous language, it is simple to follow and implement the advice of the author. I have a 9-year old son with ADHD, who had been driving all of us (both parents and 2 brothers) crazy with his behaviour. I read dozens of other books to help bring sanity to our home, but they only added guilt and insecurity to an already harrassed mother. This books does not require a Ph.D. to understand it, nor does the method demand complicated additional activities for harried mothers. Within a few days, we, the parents were in charge of our home instead of a 9-year old tyrant. Since I became empowered to carry out my instructions to him, peace reigns and the child seems happier to have firm guidelines and consequences set for him. My other children are also relieved to be liberated from his obnoxious behaviour.
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