Redirecting Children's Behavior

Rating:
Summary: Well written, but in my opinion for older children
Review: Years ago in college, I took a Communications class. Reading this book reminded me a lot of that class. It's very insightful and offers valuable information on dealing with pre-teens (for parenting) to adults (for just plain communicating).
I do not believe the same concepts can apply for a 2 year old as it can for a 15 year old, as this book seems to imply. A young child has not learned to conceptualize and use other necessary reasoning skills in order to be dealt with on the same level as an older child or teenager. They often do not understand the consequences of their actions, despite parents explaining them or giving examples. Until a child has these skills, I think this book will be of limited value. I can see some improvement in my 6 year old but it is not applicable to my 2 year old.
The book addresses many of the same principles I'd already had. In that way, it was good to see them in a new light with ideas and reinforcements I had not thought of already.
The first part of the book talks about using discipline and avoid punishment. Well, punishment is a fact of life. If I'm speeding and get pulled over by a cop, he's likely to give me a ticket (punishment), not go over what could happen by my speeding (discipline). Punishment does not always mean striking a child or destroying their spirit, but just giving a speech will not teach a child right from wrong. And they should not learn everything by experience as some are dangerous. If my son was repeatedly running thru the house with a pencil, I believe the author would suggest negotiating with him as to why he keeps doing so and the wrong thing would be to take the pencil away. Well, my feeling is I can tell him what the dangers are, and if he continues to disobey, I will take away the pencil. The role of parents is to keep children safe as well as nurture them. I believe there are times when the parent sets the rules and the child obeys. This is in slight contrast to what I took away from the book.
Still, this is one person's opinion. I've taken some ideas and can use them. Others won't work for me or my situation. Each reader can get ideas, improve on their own situation, and adapt it as necessary. In that respect, it's a excellent book to read on parenting.

Rating:
Summary: Well written, but in my opinion for older children
Review: Years ago in college, I took a Communications class. Reading this book reminded me a lot of that class. It's very insightful and offers valuable information on dealing with pre-teens (for parenting) to adults (for just plain communicating).
I do not believe the same concepts can apply for a 2 year old as it can for a 15 year old, as this book seems to imply. A young child has not learned to conceptualize and use other necessary reasoning skills in order to be dealt with on the same level as an older child or teenager. They often do not understand the consequences of their actions, despite parents explaining them or giving examples. Until a child has these skills, I think this book will be of limited value. I can see some improvement in my 6 year old but it is not applicable to my 2 year old.
The book addresses many of the same principles I'd already had. In that way, it was good to see them in a new light with ideas and reinforcements I had not thought of already.
The first part of the book talks about using discipline and avoid punishment. Well, punishment is a fact of life. If I'm speeding and get pulled over by a cop, he's likely to give me a ticket (punishment), not go over what could happen by my speeding (discipline). Punishment does not always mean striking a child or destroying their spirit, but just giving a speech will not teach a child right from wrong. And they should not learn everything by experience as some are dangerous. If my son was repeatedly running thru the house with a pencil, I believe the author would suggest negotiating with him as to why he keeps doing so and the wrong thing would be to take the pencil away. Well, my feeling is I can tell him what the dangers are, and if he continues to disobey, I will take away the pencil. The role of parents is to keep children safe as well as nurture them. I believe there are times when the parent sets the rules and the child obeys. This is in slight contrast to what I took away from the book.
Still, this is one person's opinion. I've taken some ideas and can use them. Others won't work for me or my situation. Each reader can get ideas, improve on their own situation, and adapt it as necessary. In that respect, it's a excellent book to read on parenting.