Smart Love

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Summary: If Parents Used Smart Love Children Would not Shoot Each Oth
Review: I was reading Smart Love when the Littleton shootings occurred and I realized that children would never reach for guns to solve their problems if their parents had used Smart Love guidelines. Smart Love teaches children that all disagreements can be solved with compassion and respect. If every parent bought and read this book the world would be a better place for sure.

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Summary: Smart Love is a great help with step children!
Review: I have a teenage step-daughter whose life has been filled with many disappointments from her biological parents. When she came to live with her father and me, she was depressed, socially isolated and underachieving. We sought professional advice from several psychologists but were disappointed with the results. When Ann Landers recommended Smart Love in her column, we purchased the book. In only a few short weeks our daughter's life is beginning to change because we finally have some guidelines we can follow! She is finishing most of her homework since we started "hanging out" with her and offering our support while she works. She is also more contented and communicative when she is at home. Even more amazing, she has begun to make friends at school! Smart Love asks parents to make a serious investment of time and loving energy in their kids, but the payoff is really great! Every step-parent should buy this book. It can change your life and the life of your step-child!

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Summary: This book is worth reading and re-reading, very beneficial.
Review: I have read this book twice since I got it, and I just want to share with other amazon.com readers how valuable and important it is. There are explanations for children's behavior, thoughts, and feelings that I had never heard before, that make total sense. Knowing what your children are going through is the first step, whether it is an appropriate developmental response or an inappropriate, painful behavior. The whole idea is to get close to the kids and help them grow up happy and healthy. What better gift could there be? This is really why we bring children into the world. The Piepers have certainly studied well and know how to communicate their ideas. I highly recommend people to buy this book.

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Summary: If Your Child is Having Trouble in School, Try Smart Love
Review: My 6th grader and I were locked in a battle over his homework. He didn't want to do it and I was following the parenting books that said to impose restrictions and consequences. So I revoked his phone privileges. When that didn't work, I cut his allowance. When that didn't work I grounded him. My son finally did his homework but he was angry and sullen. I realized that my aim, to help him enjoy learning, was being frustrated, not helped by these harsh methods. Then on Ann Landers advice, I read Smart Love. What a difference. The Piepers convinced me that discipinary measures were harming not helping my son. I followed their clear guidelines for responding to children who are having trouble in school. Instead of ordering my son to do his homework, I offered to sit down with him and help him. In place of sullen resentment, I got a positive response. We actually spent an enjoyable time together. Over the last few days I can see that my son is beginning to enjoy doing his schoolwork with me. Equally important, his sullen moods are lifting and he and I are close once again. The Piepers are so smart to realize that disciplinary measures are worthless as positive motivation. All children and all parents would benefit from Smart Love!!!

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Summary: A masterpiece of scientifically-based caregiving
Review: Mental health professionals from all disciplines have long needed a book they can recommend to parents that provides parents with an effective, scientifically-tested approach to raising happy children and also helping children who are unhappy. This book is invaluable for parents and those who help parents because it empowers parents, helping them with the complications of parenting, and also avoids the problem so common in mental health care -- causing parents to feel guilt or self-blame if their children are unhappy. I have used the ideas in this book in my clinical practice with parents and children and have found that they yield unparalleled results in increasing parents' competence and happiness with caregiving, and also in aiding parents to help their unhappy children discover and strengthen their natural potential for lasting inner happiness. This book is the best investment you can possibly make -- a true masterpiece!

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Summary: I am very pleased to see a book we can identify with.
Review: Too many parenting books advise the parents as though their children were aliens, and maybe that's the way parents can feel sometimes. I enjoyed the Piepers's perspective which aligns the parents and the children and never rages at the children, ever. That perspective makes us feel less guilty, and, in fact would help all of us if all parents would put their ideas into effect. We would never have to cringe when other parents do things we know are wrong, like hit severely, punish and be mean to their children; we will never have to call the children's abuse hotline if we had a society based on the Piepers's theories. I will really look forward to that! Thanks to them for their smart ideas and smart words. It is a very helpful, very positive, very optimistic book, filled with great ideas and beautiful examples of real life.

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Summary: An invaluable guide from infancy through adolescence.
Review: Smart Love covers the sweep of development and shows parents what their child needs at every stage. It offers common sense advice that is completely uncommon!

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Summary: Smart love:control with love not by discipline
Review: I was a disciplinarian by necessity not by choice -- it is important to me that my children be well socialized and polite. Until I read Smart Love, I thought that the only way to have a well-behaved child was to use lectures, time-outs, and consequences for improper behavior. Smart love showed me that there is a way to govern my children that is not permissive but also doesn't require disciplinary measures. Moreover, as the authors argue, the smart love way is better than discipline because it teaches them to want to care for themselves and others and doesn't teach them that might makes right. This kind and humane approach has already made a big difference in our family. Smart love lays out clear guidelines and offers many practical examples to help parents understand and apply this uniquely effective method.

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Summary: Smart Love helps parents raise better children!
Review: Finally a parenting book that appreciates the long run!! Smart Love helps parents control their children's immediate behavior without ever losing sight of our most valued goal -- to raise children who will be happy, responsible, successful, loving, and lovable adults.

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Summary: A Must-Read for Parents of Children of All Ages!!
Review: As a mother of three, I only wish this book had come along earlier. This is the first parenting book I've ever read (and I've read a lot of them!) that understands how our CHILDREN (including infants!) experience us, and how we can use that understanding to be at our most effective as parents.