Love and Logic Magic for Early Childhood: Practical Parenting from Birth to Six Years

Rating:
Summary: Buying my own copy
Review: A friend of mine loaned me her copy of Love and Logic Magic for Early Childhood: Practical Parenting from Birth to Six Years, and now I'm buying my own! This is a great book and I can't wait to get started using it with my child. He isn't quite 2, so I have some time to practice using the "uh oh" song! It's easy to read and understand. This book is a must for all parents!

Rating:
Summary: TRANSFORM TERRIBLE TWOS
Review: Are you a parent of a child six years or younger? Do you find that Calgon can't take you quite far enough away from parenting woes? Have you shed tears over behavior exhibited by your angel-turned-hellion? If so, this book is for you.

Having personally shed tears over my two-year-old daughter's colorful displays of strong will, I picked up this book that I've had since before she was born. Being that she was such a wonderful baby, I naively figured we'd skate through the "terrible twos" and that they wouldn't be terrible at all. While I wouldn't globally say that from 18 months until now has been terrible, it's been more challenging.

That's where logic comes in. This book is particularly helpful to those of us who don't tend to operate logically but react emotionally. It offers practical steps that when employed as recommended really work. The authors say that it's never too late or too early to start putting into practice the techniques.

The book impresses the value of children experiencing the natural consequences of their actions (logic). Simultaneously, the authors encourage parents many times throughout the book to empathize with their children prior to disciplining (love). For example, Stella throws her food at lunch. Mom says, "That's so sad. Lunch is over now." Mom maintains her composure, puts an end to the behavior without lecturing and multiple warnings, and the child bears an immediate consequence for the behavior.

According to the authors, children love to make choices so give them plenty. These choices, however, should be ones that make you happy and don't bother "anyone else on the planet." For example, Dad asks, "Would you like milk or juice for lunch? Or would you like to go to bed now or in five minutes?" Whatever the child decides, having soda for lunch is not an option. Likewise, not going to bed is not an option.

The approach presented in the book may sound lightweight to some but actually is quite strict and gives children effective boundaries. The ultimate goal of using the Love and Logic techniques: raise responsible children that respect authority, have a positive self-concept, and who are able to make wise independent decisions now and throughout life.

When I started trying the "experiments" outlined in the book, I witnessed immediate results with our daughter. Being the type that needs things spelled out for me, the specific steps accompanied by numerous examples in the book helped me grasp the principles easily. The book has also helped me breathe easier. After feeling distraught and certain we were failing miserably as parents, I now feel renewed by a sense of joy and hope. Yes, the book has that much power.

The challenge now is to be quicker on my feet with good choices. My husband and I have said some of the most ridiculous things in an effort to give our daughter choices we'll be happy with. It's good comic relief for otherwise tense and frustrating moments.

Note: About halfway through the book, the authors offer a three-step suggestion for disciplining children three and younger (when reasoning is more difficult). Also, I have yet to do so, but it would probably be helpful to read the original Parenting With Love and Logic book as it explains the love and logic principles.

THANK YOU TO THE AUTHORS FOR WRITING THIS BOOK!! YOU'VE TRANSFORMED THE TERROR OF TODDLERHOOD. YOU'VE ALSO PROMPTED ME TO HAVE FUN AND LIGHTEN UP. IF MY DAUGHTER COULD TELL YOU HERSELF, SHE'D SAY THANK YOU FOR HELPING MOM NOT BE SO UPTIGHT.

Rating:
Summary: TRANSFORM TERRIBLE TWOS
Review: Are you a parent of a child six years or younger? Do you find that Calgon can't take you quite far enough away from parenting woes? Have you shed tears over behavior exhibited by your angel-turned-hellion? If so, this book is for you.

Having personally shed tears over my two-year-old daughter's colorful displays of strong will, I picked up this book that I've had since before she was born. Being that she was such a wonderful baby, I naively figured we'd skate through the "terrible twos" and that they wouldn't be terrible at all. While I wouldn't globally say that from 18 months until now has been terrible, it's been more challenging.

That's where logic comes in. This book is particularly helpful to those of us who don't tend to operate logically but react emotionally. It offers practical steps that when employed as recommended really work. The authors say that it's never too late or too early to start putting into practice the techniques.

The book impresses the value of children experiencing the natural consequences of their actions (logic). Simultaneously, the authors encourage parents many times throughout the book to empathize with their children prior to disciplining (love). For example, Stella throws her food at lunch. Mom says, "That's so sad. Lunch is over now." Mom maintains her composure, puts an end to the behavior without lecturing and multiple warnings, and the child bears an immediate consequence for the behavior.

According to the authors, children love to make choices so give them plenty. These choices, however, should be ones that make you happy and don't bother "anyone else on the planet." For example, Dad asks, "Would you like milk or juice for lunch? Or would you like to go to bed now or in five minutes?" Whatever the child decides, having soda for lunch is not an option. Likewise, not going to bed is not an option.

The approach presented in the book may sound lightweight to some but actually is quite strict and gives children effective boundaries. The ultimate goal of using the Love and Logic techniques: raise responsible children that respect authority, have a positive self-concept, and who are able to make wise independent decisions now and throughout life.

When I started trying the "experiments" outlined in the book, I witnessed immediate results with our daughter. Being the type that needs things spelled out for me, the specific steps accompanied by numerous examples in the book helped me grasp the principles easily. The book has also helped me breathe easier. After feeling distraught and certain we were failing miserably as parents, I now feel renewed by a sense of joy and hope. Yes, the book has that much power.

The challenge now is to be quicker on my feet with good choices. My husband and I have said some of the most ridiculous things in an effort to give our daughter choices we'll be happy with. It's good comic relief for otherwise tense and frustrating moments.

Note: About halfway through the book, the authors offer a three-step suggestion for disciplining children three and younger (when reasoning is more difficult). Also, I have yet to do so, but it would probably be helpful to read the original Parenting With Love and Logic book as it explains the love and logic principles.

THANK YOU TO THE AUTHORS FOR WRITING THIS BOOK!! YOU'VE TRANSFORMED THE TERROR OF TODDLERHOOD. YOU'VE ALSO PROMPTED ME TO HAVE FUN AND LIGHTEN UP. IF MY DAUGHTER COULD TELL YOU HERSELF, SHE'D SAY THANK YOU FOR HELPING MOM NOT BE SO UPTIGHT.

Rating:
Summary: Indispensable! BUY THIS BOOK!
Review: I completely disagree with the reviewer who asserted that the authors of the early childhood book were condemning the parent-child bond. To the contrary, that relationship is key to the successful implementation of love & logic. What the authors do assert is that it is not the parents job to solve their childrens problems, rather, they act as consultants and guides, providing opportunities for children to make safe mistakes and good choices, and letting their children bear the burden of their consequences while keeping the loving relationship intact.

Rating:
Summary: Healthy attachment IS the point
Review: I completely disagree with the reviewer who asserted that the authors of the early childhood book were condemning the parent-child bond. To the contrary, that relationship is key to the successful implementation of love & logic. What the authors do assert is that it is not the parents job to solve their childrens problems, rather, they act as consultants and guides, providing opportunities for children to make safe mistakes and good choices, and letting their children bear the burden of their consequences while keeping the loving relationship intact.

Rating:
Summary: Not a book for you if you want attached children
Review: I hated how the authors condemned babies who are attached to their parents. They seem to think that it is abnormal for babies to prefer the company of their parents to that of strangers.
I do like that they don't condone spanking or crying it out.

Rating:
Summary: Can't praise this book enough!
Review: I have four children (ages 2-8) and am constantly complimented on their good behavior. This book is one of the reasons why they are as good as they are. (My second fave book is Kid Cooperation By E. Pantley. Also fantastic) I'm a huge fan of the whole Love and Logic idea, but had difficulty translating the ideas to much younger children. This book answered my questions. I keep this book on my toilet and read it every time I have a potty break. When I'm done I start over, because it's so easy to get sidetracked and forget the concepts. I promise your children will be so much nicer to deal with, and you will feel more cheerful at the end of the day if you implement the ideas in this book!

Rating:
Summary: Can't praise this book enough!
Review: I have four children (ages 2-8) and am constantly complimented on their good behavior. This book is one of the reasons why they are as good as they are. (My second fave book is Kid Cooperation By E. Pantley. Also fantastic) I'm a huge fan of the whole Love and Logic idea, but had difficulty translating the ideas to much younger children. This book answered my questions. I keep this book on my toilet and read it every time I have a potty break. When I'm done I start over, because it's so easy to get sidetracked and forget the concepts. I promise your children will be so much nicer to deal with, and you will feel more cheerful at the end of the day if you implement the ideas in this book!

Rating:
Summary: Fantastic writers of all their books starting with this one
Review: I have several of the books and cassttes and these gentlemen are the best there is!!! straight and to the point and so easyto understand and do!!My son is 22 years old and only wish I had found out about Jim Fay & Foster Cline about them several years ago!I do have a 16 year old daughter & just doing simple things they suggest the difference is unreal! My husband says I should be on their payroll because he jokingly says that the way I quote them as if I was their spokesperson

Rating:
Summary: AWSOME!
Review: I really love this book because it's geared towards kids from birth to age six. I've read the "Parenting with Love & Logic" book but it's for older children. I like how this one discusses what to do with a crying baby, through potty-training and beyond up to about age six. It's never too early to start parenting with love and logic.

We used to have up to 10 time-outs per day with our 3 1/2 year old son. We also have a 1 year old son who can provoke some of the bad behavior of his older brother. However, once we started using the "Uh Oh Song" with our older son our whole relationship changed! We went from 10 time-outs per day, stress between us, me yelling, etc. to a really loving and respectful relationship and no more time-outs! It was amazing and fast! We don't do time-outs any more and only an occaisional "Uh Oh Song". I don't yell anymore (for the most part) and we have a really sweet and respectful relationship.

We also give him lots of choices which makes him feel so important and like he has some control over his life. That has helped a lot too. We've been applying many of the techniques in this book for six months now and everything is still "hunky dory" compared to what it used to be.

LOVE AND LOGIC REALLY WORKS! And this books give plenty of examples to help anyone find solutions to their CHALLENGES with their children.