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Have you ever stepped back to watch what really goes on when your children play? As psychologist Lawrence J. Cohen points out, play is children... read full description
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Mar 28, 2009
Cyndi
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Cohen has tremendous energy and creativity in using play therapy to connect with children and help them deal with difficult feelings and impulses. What a fresh approach to parenting! Reading the first several chapters, I was amazed and impressed at how he looks at troubling behavior, mindfully tries to reframe it, seeking to understand the struggle going on inside the child, and help that child come through it in an atmosphere of loving support. Cohen seems remarkably intuitive, and senses wh
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Oct 28, 2008
Nicole
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This book is a must read for those in the attachment parenting camp, and any other parent wanting to have more fun, more connection and more happy times with their children. Cohen gives concrete examples of how to connect with kids using play, including rough-housing, games, silly antics and everyday activities.
The basics:
Children "misbehave" when they are disconnected. In order to reach the kids, we need to re-connect. The best way to do this is in the lan More...
The basics:
Children "misbehave" when they are disconnected. In order to reach the kids, we need to re-connect. The best way to do this is in the lan More...
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Aug 18, 2009
Lauren
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I LOVE this book. There are so many opportunities to engage with kids through play, to deal with challenging behaviors through play...I once had a boy in one of my classes, 2 1/2 years old, who was going through a lot of change in his life. He would literally come to class each week and begin screaming at the beginning and not stop until the end, scaring some of the other kids quite a bit. For a variety of reasons, Mom was not intervening (she was very, very pregnant and I think just exhauste
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Mar 03, 2011
Fiona
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I read this when my daughter was smaller, and found it to be a really helpful book. I have to admit that my child is quite an "easy" child, but I think part of that is due to the way I interact with her due to this book.
What made the biggest impression on me in this book is the idea that you can pick your battles, and you can also have fun with your child instead of escalating a battle of wills, especially with a child who can't really communicate his or her feelings effec More...
What made the biggest impression on me in this book is the idea that you can pick your battles, and you can also have fun with your child instead of escalating a battle of wills, especially with a child who can't really communicate his or her feelings effec More...
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Jan 06, 2012
Jenna
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My E.C.F.E. teacher noticed I had checked this out and she came to talk to me especially about how great this book is. I am so glad that I read it because it has had a huge influence on how I parent and how I see Brooke's world because her world is all about play all the time. And her play will get more and more complex. It was fascinating to learn about how children work through problems they are dealing with through play, and how they tackle new issues they are figuring out about life through
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Aug 29, 2007
Nadine
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Good ideas, but the author seems to come off as insufferably superior at times, which is off-putting. The rest of us lose our temper, but he always knows better.
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Nov 20, 2009
Anastasia
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Time to hit the books again, as my parenting is in a shambles right now.
11/4 I don't think I entirely agree with this author's approach (I think many of the play examples he gives can sometimes be merely distracting or can be an intrusive way of trying to get the attention/energy of a child who isn't interested) but he is overall giving me a lot to think about.
11/20 I finally finished this book, and while I still believe that play is not always the answer, I have to admi More...
11/4 I don't think I entirely agree with this author's approach (I think many of the play examples he gives can sometimes be merely distracting or can be an intrusive way of trying to get the attention/energy of a child who isn't interested) but he is overall giving me a lot to think about.
11/20 I finally finished this book, and while I still believe that play is not always the answer, I have to admi More...
Jul 19, 2010
Danielle
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I've only read about half of this book, then had to return it to the library. But that was enough to inspire me to have a more playful approach to my daughter in everyday situations, and it is really working! She is 1 1/2, and she is getting to be a handful. This book also helped me with interactions with random kids I encounter at the park and everywhere else. Now I have some tools and ideas to change the tone of any situation, and change tears to laughter. It takes some work, but it is so
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Mar 12, 2010
Jeannette
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I've only read a few chapters of this so far. And it's revolutionizing how I interact with my toddler! *thumbs up!*
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Jul 13, 2009
Eric
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An excellent addition to the raising children arsenal. Cohen's clinical counseling approach is completely through play. He explains his approach through clinical examples and gives the rationale for why. In particular, he gives an alternative to the "time-out" which he argues is too isolationist when what is almost always needed is communication and collaboration: A "Couch Meeting" where anyone, parent or child, can call a meeting, the only requirement is that both/all pa
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Nov 15, 2009
Theresa
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At one point I overloaded myself with parenting books. I set them aside for a while and thought I'd get my hands dirty instead. But this book came highly recommended. It is wonderful, especially for parents of preschoolers and beyond. Someone I know says that parenting is the ultimate creative venture and this book exemplifies this. The philosophy of having fun while parenting is one that Brian and I already align ourselves with. It's a way of life, but sometimes is easier said than done, right
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Nov 28, 2008
Mike
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This is a really good book, filled with lots of ideas for making the interactions with your children much more enjoyable and less stressful. The problem with this, and most other parenting books, is that the tactics he suggests almost always work for him immediately, but don't necessarily work with my son (who is 3). I'm thinking that my son must read these books ahead of me, and has his strategy prepared ahead of time. But, as everyone knows, all kids are different, and so you may have better l
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Jun 25, 2011
Steph
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I got some really good things out of this. It makes me think about the way I parent--it is usually just like my parents did it. It takes more effort than I realized to change what comes naturally--I hope I have enough energy to keep implementing some of the things in this book. Sometimes I think he places too much emphasis on bottled up emotions--but it has given me an alternative to time outs. I still would like to work on a discipline plan that works, especially when your kids are too youn
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Aug 20, 2011
Laurene Jewell
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A very insightful read. I think there are opinions everywhere and hocus pocus galore, but I like how simple the thought is in this book. I said the thought was simple, not the practice. It takes a lot of time and possible change on the parent's part, but if practiced properly I think can be very beneficial. I have used similar techniques when baby sitting when I was younger and as an auntie and have found positive results. I am glad there is a researched book to sight my findings with. Even if y
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Jul 11, 2011
Michele
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I usually get really annoyed with parenting books because they seem to be describing some alternate universe where complete peace is possible - then they go on to describe all the crazy things you have to do to achieve that peace.
This book pulled me in from the beginning with it's realism - I swear half of the families and problems he describes are lifted directly from my life! And the solution is not a cure-all, rather they are strategies to help strengthen the areas where you are More...
This book pulled me in from the beginning with it's realism - I swear half of the families and problems he describes are lifted directly from my life! And the solution is not a cure-all, rather they are strategies to help strengthen the areas where you are More...
Jan 10, 2011
Elisabeth
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One of my absolutely favorite parenting books. It's tremendously helpful in how I approach situations with my little ones. Not like everything is smooth sailing yet, but maybe I need to keep rereading this and a few other certain titles until more of the techniques and principles 'stick'.
I really felt this book gave me some insight into the minds of kid that a lot of others didn't. For instance, the stuff about aggressive play and how it can be beneficial to let the kids work out the More...
I really felt this book gave me some insight into the minds of kid that a lot of others didn't. For instance, the stuff about aggressive play and how it can be beneficial to let the kids work out the More...
Jan 08, 2011
Mary Ann
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Very interesting perspective on parenting! The message that has really stuck with me is the fact that if kids are acting up, all they may need is even a few minutes of our undivided attention to really reconnect, then they will be just fine. Taking those few minutes could save hours of struggling and grief. Plus, we need to have fun and connect with kids on their level once in a while! I've only been a parent for a year and a half and I already forget that often.
As far as the disciplin More...
As far as the disciplin More...
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Jul 11, 2009
s
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i enjoyed this book immensely--more than any other "attachment-style" parenting book i've read. cohen diligently and single-heartedly explains the need to connect with your child and how to keep that connection alive. too bad you can't use some of these concepts with adults! but, somehow i doubt most friends/partners would take trying to pull one another's socks off or playfully wrestling as a method for healing relationship problems. but, then again, maybe that depends on the auldt! h
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Mar 22, 2008
Elizabeth
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"We complain about children's short attention spans, but how long can we sit and play marbles or Barbies or Monopoly or fantasy games before we get bored and distracted, or pulled away by the feeling that getting work done or cooking dinner is more important." p.3
i just finished this book and it is really good. I think this book is a good way to apply attachment parenting to older children. Essentially it is a book for adults on how to play with children. There were a fe More...
i just finished this book and it is really good. I think this book is a good way to apply attachment parenting to older children. Essentially it is a book for adults on how to play with children. There were a fe More...
Jan 25, 2008
Taylor
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Pair this book with Alfie Kohn's "Unconditional Parenting" - that one is more theory and this one is more practice. Together they make a fine pair of books that (if read by even a fourth of the parents out there) could make a substantial change toward the improvement of society.
One of the small details of this book that made me decide to add it to my shelf was Cohen's reference to children as his friends. This is not something the average adult does. We don't say; "Wh More...
One of the small details of this book that made me decide to add it to my shelf was Cohen's reference to children as his friends. This is not something the average adult does. We don't say; "Wh More...
Jul 05, 2011
Amanda Lueck
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Cohen has just authored a book on roughhousing which I read about, and the review of that one mentioned this one. WOW! What a find. Basic tenet: to kids, play is communicating and working through emotions. Adults talk and share; kids play. So for parents to help their kids communicate and deal with emotions, playing with them is essential. This book was fabulous. Great advice, easy-to-digest and use, and a nice mix of that advice with personal and gathered examples from real life. I might buy th
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Sep 14, 2011
Nate
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I didn't read the whole thing but Erin read me much of it (as she does with any book she loves). I have used a lot of tactics to defuse situations with my very combative, furious 5 yr old son. His mood changes like the weather, he goes from cuddly, loving kid to furious homicidal runaway. It's a bit scary sometimes. We've installed alarms and hid the knives and also played like it's Christmas, etc, to distract him from his fury. I appreciate the wisdom in this book.
Feb 04, 2010
From Isabel: 1. Playful Parenting: I can't tell you how many times I still pick up this book. It's on my night table and I often find myself rifling through my dog-eared copy to remind myself to Chill-the-f$#@-out! The book reminds us to HAVE FUN with this whole parenting gig. Easier said than done, but I find that the general approach of the book continues to inspire me to come up with new ways to approach old problems. Instead of the power struggles, the book shows us how to make conflicts int
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Jan 18, 2008
Kirsten
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I own very few parenting books (lots of pregnancy books, but very few parenting books) and this is one of the few I have actually gone out and bought.
It's excellent. The author talks about how important it is to set aside time every day to play with your child on his or her own terms. He says lots of adults have forgotten how to play, and they get caught up in the daily details. It's a good reminder to spend time every day, even just a few minutes, really focused in on how much you More...
It's excellent. The author talks about how important it is to set aside time every day to play with your child on his or her own terms. He says lots of adults have forgotten how to play, and they get caught up in the daily details. It's a good reminder to spend time every day, even just a few minutes, really focused in on how much you More...
Jul 10, 2008
Sonya
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Playful Parenting offers a parenting approach I find tremendously valuable. It makes interactions with children more fun, fosters clearer communication and a stronger connection between parent and child, and offers an alternative discipline approach rather than the typical punitive or permissive models. Cohen just understands kids, and his book combines strategies and examples in a way that teaches the reader how to be a more playful parent. I would recommend this book to all parents because the
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Jan 11, 2012
The books on our wishlist are not in the library, but have been requested or recommended by our members. If you would like to donate a book to the SANP library, feel free to choose any book, used or new, that would be of interest to our members (natural parenting.) The books on the wishlist are meant for suggestions. To donate a book, contact Diane@SanAntonioNaturalParenting.com or Tonia@SanAntonioNaturalParenting.com
Oct 02, 2010
Sarah
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this is probably the best parenting book I've read. it was highly recommended by our naturopath, so I dutifully checked it out of the library and was really surprised to find that it actually was very good. Cohen's philosophy is based on respect for children, and his methods really "work" and make life with kids way easier on everyone. I would make this required reading for parents if I could.
Jun 18, 2011
Inder
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I really enjoyed this gentle and light-hearted approach to parenting and discipline. It's attachment-parenting friendly without being intolerant or sanctimonious (generally such a failing of the attachment parenting literature!). I appreciated the reminder to make the effort to constantly connect with my baby through play, and the creative ideas for handling difficult situations and emotions through play.
The chapter on gender differences surprised and impressed me - an excellent femi More...
The chapter on gender differences surprised and impressed me - an excellent femi More...
Jun 05, 2011
Amanda
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Wonderful. I wish I had found this book when I was still pregnant. It has really altered how I view parenting. I will work towards being a more effective parent after reading this book. This book gives real world tips and strategies for incorporating play into every aspect of parenting, including discipline. I know time-outs are ineffective, but now I have a plausible and "fun" alternative that could work for our house. P.P. has also given me thoughts to ponder for the years yet to com
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Oct 20, 2009
Danika
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I have to admit, I only made it through about 100 pages of this book. I did really like the author's main point of interacting with your kids through play. He had some great examples of changing a difficult situation with your child by engaging them in some "relevant" play. Anyway, good ideas but the book was way longer than it needed to be.
