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Aug 16, 2008

Bethany rated it:

This book was recommended to me by a friend who has 10 children. It was helpful in understanding what to do when you as a parent get frustrated with your children. I especially liked the authors explanation on little-adult syndrome. Children are not naturally logical like adults and I make that mistake all the time with my five year-old becuase he talks to me like he's an adult sometimes. To make the counting discipline effective you have to use silence. I've found it effective and it certainly More...

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Feb 07, 2009

Kevin rated it:

How in the world do you begin to discipline a young child? When they get older, it's easy: no TV, no dessert, no play time with friends. But what about when all they do is run around and torment the place? Enter "1-2-3 Magic". It has a simple premise. Tell the child to stop doing something. If he doesn't stop, "that's one". Give him until three, with about five seconds in between one and two. On three, he's off to his room or isolated in a chair for a minute or two. When the More...

0 comments like (2 people liked it)

Sep 23, 2011

Tanya rated it:

Great parenting book (but I have to admit, I think I have now had my fill for a while on parenting books). I have heard references to this book several times over the years and I finally decided on my sister's recommendation to read it. Unfortunately, we get a few parenting book recommendations... haha.

I know if I apply this consistently, it will be positive all around. I have started, but I know I need to be more consistent AND get Eric on board.

So here are my notes f More...

4 comments like (1 person liked it)

Aug 08, 2011

Abby Lyn rated it:

This book provided some helpful advice for disciplining my two little ones, ages 4 and 2. Although we have always in our home used a straight-forward time out system, the common-sense and easy method this book focuses on, this book provided additional suggestions for tweaking the time outs to better suit our family. For example, if both kids are acting up simultaneously, we do 1-2-3 Separate and both kids are sent to opposite areas of the common room; and if the kids are teasing our (fortunatel More...

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Apr 25, 2009

Shana rated it:

I knew this was going to be a terrible book. It was recommended to me by a terrible speech therapist who was a behavioral therapist wanna-be, and a bad one at that. Thankfully she got fired because apparently no one else liked her approach either, which was based on this book. I read the book though, because hey, I'm open minded. You wont see me say this often, but I lost some brain cells by reading that book. I would not be so unkind as to recommend this book to anyone. Now, usually I can take More...

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Mar 04, 2009

Shellie (Layers of Thought) rated it:

This is the best, easiest, and most effective method of discipline for children that I have found. Working as a substitute teacher for several years and as a kindergarten teacher for one year - a few years ago - it was a life saver. I had read many books on the subject because it was my understanding that a peaceful and maintained classroom are the foundations for learning.
The video was also recommended by the teacher with whom I was sharing the classroom in my first and last year teaching More...

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Feb 22, 2009

Carmen rated it:

As the parent of two toddlers, a boy and a girl, I feel that I constantly need to learn something new every day about being a good parent, while avoiding overparenting.

I particularly enjoyed the 1-2-3 counting technique described in the book, which I successfully use with my kids to enforce discipline. Among other things the author talks about the importance of positive reinforcement and effective communication.

However, the idea that resonates the most is centered aroun More...

1 comment like

May 10, 2011

Carol rated it:

This would actually be four and half stars for me. I knocked off half a star for having to sit through the intro and first chapter which was really nothing but brag, brag, brag about the book and it's success. ~I bought the book, you don't need to sell me on it~ or, in my case ~I'm reading the book (it was a gift), you don't need to sell me on it~ comes readily to mind.

Once passed the point of egomania, however, this is a great, easy to read book. To be honest, when it was given More...

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Jun 11, 2010

Shannyboo rated it:

We've had this book sitting on our shelf for a while now, and when my daughter turned 2, I finally decided it was time to read it. I swear, she knew what was up, because when I started reading it, she started acting up. But when I finished the first section (Controlling Obnoxious Behavior), she calmed right back down. Maybe it was because I was implementing the technique?

The counting has worked pretty well for us. I rarely make it to 3, which makes me sound like a great parent, More...

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May 23, 2009

Amanda rated it:

I didn't finish this book. I got fed up with it after reading the phrase, "1-2-3-Magic is not magic, it just seems like it!" five times in the first thirty pages. It was also peppered with sarcastic remarks that were probably meant to be cute and funny but just got on my nerves and were borderline offensive. ("What if you have children who always respond to words and reasons? You are certainly lucky! Recent research has indicated that there are three such children in this country More...

1 comment like (3 people liked it)

Jan 26, 2012

Katherine rated it:

I have a love/hate relationship with parenting books. I love the ideas in (most of) them but actually instigating the changes rarely happens. They also tend to be hard for me to get through because they go into such depths of explanations, etc, etc. I guess I have parenting ADD :(

Not the case with this super quick read "1-2-3 Magic". It is a quick read and, because they only focus on three things, it's a quick implement. I admit to being skeptical - I have always mocked More...

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Jan 30, 2012

Linn rated it:

I have not read a parenting book in about twelve years (not because I think I have it all figured out, because I'm too busy parenting). :) This book is awesomeness. I feel like I have really good kids (at least they work for me) and this took their goodness to a new level. Taking the emotion out of discipline is exactly what I needed. I want to be able to save all emotion for the good parts of parenting and skip on it for the frustrating parts. I truly believe that anyone who follows this i More...

2 comments like

Sep 25, 2009

Chelly rated it:

I think this book had great ideas for disciplining children, ideas that make sense for any parent who wants to be in control of their home. The most useful section for me was part 1, about ending "Stop Behaviors." We've been using the 1-2-3 and the No Emotion, No Talking Rules when enforcing a rule with Adeline. She's still in the Testing phase because she's mad at us for disciplining her so consistently when she throws a tantrum, but we do usually gain control sooner than we did be More...

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May 10, 2010

Juliet rated it:

while i wouldn't use this book as gospel on how to raise your child, this book has been VERY helpful in giving me tools to handle my 3-year-old as he tests his boundaries and asserts his need for independence. the big light bulb went off when i read (paraphrased) 'the best way to guarantee that your child will repeat negative behavior is to have a highly emotional reaction to it.' it helped me realize what my child is looking for when he's acting out and how to redirect our situations to an ul More...

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May 25, 2010

Lisa rated it:

I recommend this book for anyone who feels like they have lost control of their children and household. This book gives you a good method to help you take back that control. This is a method that will work with all children not just the strong-willed. We haven't put it into practice yet so I can't give a full review, but we are going too as soon as I sit down with my husband to watch the DVD that you can get with it. Kyle didn't read the book so I feel that we need to watch the DVD for his s More...

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Mar 06, 2009

Clint rated it:

My wife used to always watch the show Super-Nanny trying get tips for raising our kids. I couldn't stand it. It was 1% information to that load of drama and crazy kids. Bleh.

This book on the other hand is Excellent. Its a short book that really gives you a framework to:

1) Stop your kids obnoxious behavior,
2) Get your kids to Start doing stuff (chores, getting ready for bed, etc.) and
3) Helping you set aside time to build healthy friendships with your kids More...

2 comments like (1 person liked it)

Jun 03, 2010

Debbie rated it:

One of my student teachers this semester picked this up for her classroom management, and the following week a friend was telling me what wonders it had worked on her 5 yo. I thought the universe had thrust the book in my face enough ties for me to read it, so I did.

The only reason it didn't get a 5 is b/c I think the counting part leaves out a crucial connection: why kids act out. My goal for Owen (and my students) is to understand how their feelings effect their behavior and to tea More...

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Jan 15, 2012

Carolyn rated it:

First of all, I don't like reading parenting books because I find them tedious reading and each single new idea is buried in 3 or 4 chapters. So the fact that I read this one means I'm having one of my S.O.S. episodes with my kids. Nevertheless, I thought this book was great. It provided several new ideas in a practical, concise way that I'm actually excited to try out. It was also laugh out loud funny. It was like this author was hiding in my closet recording my every day conversation and More...

4 comments like

Sep 07, 2011

Tammy rated it:

I've decided it's really hard to find the "right" parenting book. I read this and pulled some things out of it but I still don't know what to do with my child.

This method is one I've heard many times. Count to 3. A child misbehaves (tantrum, whining, yelling, etc) so you say, "That's 1". If they continue, you say, "That's 2". Still going on, you say, "That's 3. Time-out." This book said after the time-out you shouldn't say anything to th More...

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Jan 30, 2009

Heather rated it:

Now we just started using the practices in the book and we actually haven't counted any behaviors yet. So I may change my rating, good or bad after a couple weeks of using the method. I disagree with a few points in the book, but that is normal but overall Phelan was spot on with things. I really like the idea of counting because my 8 year old loves to argue. There is no room for arguing and I already feel relieved. I would recommend this book to those that have three-12 year old children. More...

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Aug 03, 2011

Miranda rated it:

This book has revolutionized my household - especially for my darling 3 and 1/2 year old. "Momma, don't get to three," is now heard regularly to the response of raised eyebrows. Of course you actually have to do something when you get to three...ie. send them to time out of take away some privilege. But, I swear it works. My favorite part is when Phelan breaks down all the possible resistance to this discipline strategy into 6 basic categories - badgering, threatening, physical aggres More...

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Apr 11, 2008

Tonya rated it:

This is the most effective discipline method I have ever tried! Love it...to this day I still only have to say, "That's one" to my kids and they settle right in. I highly recommend it to anyone with a young family.

1 comment like (1 person liked it)

Feb 11, 2010

Lisa rated it:

Colton's pediatrician recommended this book to us at his 18-month check-up when I told her that I've yet to find a form of discipline that works for Colton. She told me that Colton is still young but to be consistent and to read this book. I'm so happy I did! It's a wonderful book that gives terrific advice. I think the book is geared more towards disciplining kids who are around 4 years old and older, but the author gives you a great foundation to lay with young kids. Joe and I are going to sta More...

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Jan 24, 2012

Angela rated it:

This is an excellent "how-to" parenting book. We will be implementing the principles taught by Dr. Phelan. Dr. Phelan does a good job giving a straight forward method for training children. I love and believe his teachings that children learn best through experiences and the maturity gained over time. As a parent I have thought I was doing a great thing by always explaining to my children what they were doing wrong. I would talk and talk and talk, harp and harp and harp. Now I un More...

1 comment like

Mar 03, 2011

Sarah rated it:

Using three easy steps, this book describes an easy method to discipline your kids. Easy to understand, but difficult to follow. The trick is to remain calm and keep your emotions under control. Bad behaviour is counted, 1-2-3 Timeout.

At one point the author tells the parent to stop thinking of children as little adults. Think of them as little wild animals. After that point, all I could think of was Caesar Millan, Dog Whisperer and his no touch, no talk, no eye contact rules. Becaus More...

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Jul 21, 2009

Francie rated it:

I think it's time to review this book. My husband keeps catching me being inconsistent... Instead of just counting 1-2-3 (or in dramatic cases shortening the number of reminders), I look at the situation and think "How long should it reasonably take my child to do what I'm asking him?" And if it should be done in 30 sec I've often started counting to 30. This is *not* what Phelan advocates, and although I might get the immediate task at hand accomplished, I don't think my children a More...

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Jun 12, 2009

Tauna rated it:

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here

1 comment like (1 person liked it)

Jun 09, 2010

Christy rated it:

This book changed the life of my entire family! What an amazing and SUPER EASY program. I started seeing immediate results and no longer felt the need to sell my oldest child to the gypsies. I've been using this program now for 10 years and know it works. I had a child that used to keep me in tears and within a week of starting this program people started to notice and ask questions. His behavior changed drastically and he's now a respectful and hard working teenager. I'm still using the p More...

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Jun 22, 2009

LuAnn rated it:

This was highly recommended by a fellow social worker. This would be a good book for someone with a child that pushes limits...time-out isn't working...and you are constantly after your child for one thing after another. I can't speak entirely from personal experience as I've only incorporated elements of this method as that is all I have needed. I can see how the full program could be useful in the right situation.

It took me a long time to get into the book...it is full of fluf More...

2 comments like

Oct 28, 2011

Jennifer rated it:

Most of the suggestions we already do. The reminder of no emotion is a good one although I'd love to know how to do that when you've gotten 6 hours of sleep in the last three days. :-) it seemed mostly common sense to me. But a good reminder nonetheless. The silly quips got tedious and the claims that the only people this doesn't work for are doing it wrong were a bit over the top. But our three-year-old is more likely to stop doing annoying things after the first "that's 1" we say, an More...

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