Rating: 
Summary: Buy this book- solid content and no fluff!
Review: The book describes what parents of ODD kids experience every day. Mr. Riley's suggestions are easily understood and seem natural. The book is easy to read. Then why I did not give it five stars?If you consider buying this book, you probably already tried setting limits, star programs, timeouts, 1-2-3, and many other variations of dog training. You tried and found that both "motivation" and warnings are ignored, and that punishment only fuels more resentment. Now you are stuck, but there is a hope -- Mr. Riley comes with new ideas for better, more severe and more painful punishment; of course all within the limits of the law. You are big and smart, and there are many ways to cause pain to your child without spanking. For example, you could explain that YOU own everything in your home and will take it away if he misbehaves. So, what's wrong with the book? First, the style. Mr. Riley speaks in a very distant, detached voice as if he is not talking about our children, but of some other species: evil, smart, and obviously very dangerous. My first reaction to the book was entirely intuitive -- its ice-cold style FELT wrong. Second, the perception of the real problem. Whey you say "dress up now, we got to go", and your 8 year old answers with "F--- YOU", is it because you need more "parental authority", or because he is lacking some very basic skills needed for everyday life? And if your child is as evil and smart as the book suggests, why his life is such a hell? If you think you have to win the war with your child, no matter what it takes -- this book is for you. If you want to teach your child the skills needed for everyday survival, try reading "The Explosive Child". I made my choice, now it's your turn.
Rating: 
Summary: "Take no prisoners" approach
Review: The book describes what parents of ODD kids experience every day. Mr. Riley's suggestions are easily understood and seem natural. The book is easy to read. Then why I did not give it five stars? If you consider buying this book, you probably already tried setting limits, star programs, timeouts, 1-2-3, and many other variations of dog training. You tried and found that both "motivation" and warnings are ignored, and that punishment only fuels more resentment. Now you are stuck, but there is a hope -- Mr. Riley comes with new ideas for better, more severe and more painful punishment; of course all within the limits of the law. You are big and smart, and there are many ways to cause pain to your child without spanking. For example, you could explain that YOU own everything in your home and will take it away if he misbehaves. So, what's wrong with the book? First, the style. Mr. Riley speaks in a very distant, detached voice as if he is not talking about our children, but of some other species: evil, smart, and obviously very dangerous. My first reaction to the book was entirely intuitive -- its ice-cold style FELT wrong. Second, the perception of the real problem. Whey you say "dress up now, we got to go", and your 8 year old answers with "F--- YOU", is it because you need more "parental authority", or because he is lacking some very basic skills needed for everyday life? And if your child is as evil and smart as the book suggests, why his life is such a hell? If you think you have to win the war with your child, no matter what it takes -- this book is for you. If you want to teach your child the skills needed for everyday survival, try reading "The Explosive Child". I made my choice, now it's your turn.
Rating: 
Summary: Right on the mark
Review: This book has not only helped to understand a grandchild, it has also given some inspiration to a relative with an uncontrolable daughter. When you run our of ideas, buy this book.
Rating:
Summary: A Lifesaver
Review: This book is a godsend for any parent dealing with a strong willed and defiant child.I expect it to change the lives of my sister's family.
Rating:
Summary: The Defiant Child
Review: This book is very practical and has a lot of great advice. Be warned, however, that it would be important to read the entire book before implementing some of the methods outlined in the stories. I have been struggling with my strong-willed, angry, defiant child for years. The key here is to communicate in no uncertain terms that you are the parent and he/she is the child. The child has no rights and you have every right to expect their behavior to be respectful and pleasant. For years conflicts with our defiant child have brought division between my husband and myself. Finally, a book that clarifies the situation clearly so that we can both see the ride we are being taken on by our defiant child. Now we have the upper hand, we are able to communicate our genuine love and concern for our child (14-year-old boy), and peace reigns in our home as we are seeing our child turn into a happy, well-adjusted, child instead of defiant, angry, manipulative and unthankful!! After the second week of using these methods my child was pleasant, cooperative, obedient, and talking more. We are now seeing his sense of humor return and enjoying one another.The icing on the cake was that he prepared a gourmet breakfast for me on my birthday! What a pleasant outcome!
Rating:
Summary: The Defiant Child
Review: This book is very practical and has a lot of great advice. Be warned, however, that it would be important to read the entire book before implementing some of the methods outlined in the stories. I have been struggling with my strong-willed, angry, defiant child for years. The key here is to communicate in no uncertain terms that you are the parent and he/she is the child. The child has no rights and you have every right to expect their behavior to be respectful and pleasant. For years conflicts with our defiant child have brought division between my husband and myself. Finally, a book that clarifies the situation clearly so that we can both see the ride we are being taken on by our defiant child. Now we have the upper hand, we are able to communicate our genuine love and concern for our child (14-year-old boy), and peace reigns in our home as we are seeing our child turn into a happy, well-adjusted, child instead of defiant, angry, manipulative and unthankful!! After the second week of using these methods my child was pleasant, cooperative, obedient, and talking more. We are now seeing his sense of humor return and enjoying one another.The icing on the cake was that he prepared a gourmet breakfast for me on my birthday! What a pleasant outcome!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent book
Review: This book was easy to read and understand, very interesting, and - most important - gave highly practical and easy-to-follow advice for any parent dealing with a difficult child or teen.
Rating:
Summary: Sensible help at last!!
Review: This book was written in simple, get-to-the-point terms. It offers ideas on getting control back into the parents hands. It contains good, old fashioned ideas to regain structure and respect in the family, which will ultimately help the child learn to get along better in the real world and into their adulthood--which in my opinion is the ultimate goal of parenting in the first place! I wish some one of the many child psychologists we've been to would read this book instead of prescribing Ritalin for our kids!
Rating:
Summary: Inspiring parential guide for families in turmoil
Review: This is an excellent book of strategies to help ODD children learn acceptable behavior. The book is well written without professional jargon. The author explains successful methods of behavior modification by example of his clients. Suggested for use in addition to professional council. I regret I didn't know about this book a year ago.
Rating: 
Summary: Horible
Review: This was the biggest piece of crap I have ever read. Unlike the people who wrote this book or the people who gave it good reveiws, I actully remember being a teenager. What I found even more disturbing was the sutle racism in this book. The auther said things like "good middle class children come home acting like gansters because thats who there peers are" I don't know about anyone else out there but the authers obviosly refering to black people. I personally won't take anymore of these steriotypes by rich middle aged white people with some phd in child phycology.
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