Child Dianetics

Rating:
Summary: Workable answers
Review: Having read this book and applied the priciples to my own children and other people's children, I would very highly recommend it. In fact, I would (and have) recommend it to anyone who deals with children in any way. Whether you have children, are expecting a child, teach children, etc., the applications are spot on for handling all kinds of situations. I credit this book and its author with much of my success in dealing with children (and adults, too!)

Rating:
Summary: This book has become a mainstay for me as a parent.
Review: I first read this book years ago when expecting my first child, and I continue to re-read parts of it whenever I feel I need some more support.

The beginning essay, "How to Live With Children" is truly wonderful. My viewpoint on children didn't necessarily change from reading this book, but was certainly strengthened. Children aren't animals to be trained, they don't "belong" to their parents (they are individuals with rights of their own) and they deserve to be treated with respect.

It is true that children can try a parent's patience, though, and the author, a father himself, was well aware of that. He provides some very simple, wonderful methods for handling common problems that children and their parents can have.

For instance:

What do you do when you give your child a new toy and he immediately breaks it?

What do you do when your child gets hurt and doesn't cheer up for too long afterwards?

What do you do when your child acts up in order to get attention?

What do you do with a child who is angry and rebellious, or who has suffered losses and is stuck in grief?

With 6 young children, these things are important for me to be able to handle successfully. My kids are very able, happy, well adjusted children, and this book has a great deal to do with my overall success as a parent.

I recommend this to anyone who deals with children in any measure!

Rating:
Summary: Get Professional Help
Review: I first read this book years ago when expecting my first child, and I continue to re-read parts of it whenever I feel I need some more support.

The beginning essay, "How to Live With Children" is truly wonderful. My viewpoint on children didn't necessarily change from reading this book, but was certainly strengthened. Children aren't animals to be trained, they don't "belong" to their parents (they are individuals with rights of their own) and they deserve to be treated with respect.

It is true that children can try a parent's patience, though, and the author, a father himself, was well aware of that. He provides some very simple, wonderful methods for handling common problems that children and their parents can have.

For instance:

What do you do when you give your child a new toy and he immediately breaks it?

What do you do when your child gets hurt and doesn't cheer up for too long afterwards?

What do you do when your child acts up in order to get attention?

What do you do with a child who is angry and rebellious, or who has suffered losses and is stuck in grief?

With 6 young children, these things are important for me to be able to handle successfully. My kids are very able, happy, well adjusted children, and this book has a great deal to do with my overall success as a parent.

I recommend this to anyone who deals with children in any measure!

Rating:
Summary: Sensible Advice about Kids
Review: I loved this book. It gives so many practical suggestions for dealing with kids. In today's world where there seems to be escalating violence and drug abuse among children, it's really important to have solutions that actually work. ....

Rating:
Summary: Get Professional Help
Review: If you value your child's mental health, there are plenty of alternatives than this watered down version of Dianetics, a lead in to the schizophrenic cult of Scientology that tries to be some combination of mental health/religion/philosophy depending on how much you're paying and what got you there in the first place.

Hubbard's rendition of mental therapy via Child Dianetics is based on the fundamentals of the less obscure book 'Dianetics'. Indeed, before even considering this book, as a parent considering purchasing this book, you should read Dianetics (the original book) through with a firmly skeptical viewpoint. Remember, Dianetics was written over a half-century ago, right about the time psychology and psychiatry were becoming popular.

'Child Dianetics' could never be recommended for any form of mental health application. One the one hand Hubbard was enthused by the idea that Dianetics was the cure-all for mankind, and published a number of books on the subject. On the other hand, the original Dianetics foundation was folded into Scientology and is now regarded as merely a starter into the full 'religious' experience that Hubbard's books and other unpublished materials offer.

Some things are best left behind, right back in the mid 20th century when they were first conceived.

Save yourself ten bucks worth of book and postage - and a lifetime of potential regret. Your children can benefit from so many other choices. If this is your last choice, then God help you all.