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Jun 10, 2008

Vivcaudle rated it:

This book I read in one of my child/family classes in college. This is my favorite of all the texts I read in this area of study. I highly recommend this book to every parent! Easy and fast reading.

2 comments like (2 people liked it)

Dec 04, 2009

Summer rated it:

No parenting book is perfect, but I can honestly say that this is the first book that has helped me change my behavior in less than a week of reading it. It deals more with psychology and understanding the basis of why we should treat our children (and all people) a certain way. I think the behavior change came very naturally because I understood my daughter's emotions so much better within a few chapters. This book comes highly recommended and is helping me in more relationships than one.
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0 comments like (3 people liked it)

Dec 21, 2007

Katie rated it:

I have often wondered what is the "right way" to respond to a child who is misbehaving and/or upset. Dr. Ginott answered my questions -- plus the many more that comes with having a child.

Dr. Ginott teaches us how to communicate not just with our children, but also with other adults. This has been a very eye-opening experience to learn that the way I communicate with others, especially those who are closest to me, may not be the most effective. Dr. Ginott has a great way of More...

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Apr 27, 2008

Betty rated it:

Reading a book on parenting is the easy part but applying its principles is quite another. Yet with this book, I could start applying Ginotte's techniques from the moment I started reading and I found them to be extremely effective. I now find it easier to communicate with my two-year old and in particular, to handle her emotional outbursts in a more mature and empathetic way. The book is full of practical advice and real-life examples and is very easy to read, especially for an exhausted mom. B More...

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Nov 20, 2008

Marie rated it:

This book had some good points, but it was quite preachy, and used "should" language a lot. It is the predecessor to book: Raising an Emotionally Intellegent Child. It was the reason they decided to do all the research for that book. It has good points on how to relate with your children. Some of it seems somewhat out of touch. Some of it does not fit with my value system (for example, how permissive we should be with our children about premarital sex.) And I know that if I was i More...

1 comment like (1 person liked it)

Apr 05, 2011

Cheri rated it:

Best chapter was on the damage evaluative praise can do to children. It described, better than any other parenting book I've read, how to use not just descriptive statements, but statements that allow the child to come to his or her own evaluative conclusion. So then "praise" is a two step process. In the first step, the parent makes a statement such as "that book is very complicated" (external). The next step is the child's internal process, "the book is complicated, bu More...

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Nov 04, 2009

Kelli rated it:

This book was eye-opening to me. The author suggests several ways to deal with your children. For example,
1)Say what you see, like, "You must've had a hard day," instead of criticizing them for being in a sullen mood. By simply stating how they're feeling, it diminishes the intensity of the feeling. They see that you understand which helps them deal with the emotion.
2)He also says you should never comment on character traits (even positive ones), but always on actions. More...

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Oct 06, 2009

Joe rated it:

Between Parent and Child is the best parenting book I've read so far. It begins with a statement to the effect of "Love is vital in parenting, but love is not enough. Parents need knowledge. You would never trust yourself to a surgeon who simply loved their job, but lacked the knowledge required in surgery. Parenting is at least as difficult as surgery."

Dr. Ginott's wisdom about children, parents, teachers, and people in general leaps from each page. He is particularly More...

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Jul 28, 2011

Cindy rated it:

A parent must have book! As a parent of two I highly recommend this book to help you come out of the parenting in the darkness feeling that you might be living with. Ginott presents a way to communicate with your children rather than what you might have been resorting to , screaming or just plain ignoring them and their bad behavior. A number of the ideas that are proposed in the book may seem simple to you and you will begin to wonder why you have forgotten to speak that way to your children. More...

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Oct 09, 2010

Khaya rated it:

Between Parent and Haim Ginott

Khaya: Dr. Ginott, I have so many feelings about your book. It’s hard for me to sort them all out.

Dr. Ginott: You’re confused and you don’t know where to start. You feel many different things.

Khaya: Yes! I have friends who swear by you and your methods. They think you’re great.

Dr. Ginott: Khaya, evaluative words like “great” do not represent helpful praise. Praise should deal only with the person’s efforts and More...

11 comments like (6 people liked it)

Jun 04, 2008

Jared rated it:

Haim Ginott (wish I knew how to pronounce his name) was a mentor to John Gottman (Raising an Emotionally Intelligent Child) and Adele Faber (How to Talk so Kids will Listen...) and they drew heavily from his early work. The book is full of basic parenting gems, but I didn't necessarily agree with all of his suggestions and some of his examples weren't very realistic. I would recommend the Gottman and Faber & Mazlish books first.

1 comment like (2 people liked it)

Sep 25, 2009

Toni rated it:

I had high expectations for this book. I studied Dr. Ginott's ideas as they pertained to education, and agreed generally w/ his approach when it came to the teachers/student relationship.
The first few chapters were fine. I agree that we should praise children for their efforts; not the finished product, I agree that children tune us out when we sermonize or lecture and that anyone is incapable of truly communicating when emotions are highly charged. Ginott also talks about the importa More...

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Dec 01, 2008

charlie rated it:

I never read touchy feely How-To books so I probably am the wrong person to review this style of book. Since kids don't come with a User Manual, I figured it was never a bad idea to let some experts learn me a few things about how not to talk to mine!

Revolutionary in 1965, the book allegedly has been updated, but still feels dated. Not so much in its content, but in its style. Some good lessons here about how not to be a complete dick as a parent - in fact, i am already able to sur More...

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Feb 28, 2008

Danny rated it:

I had to read this in college. It is based on positive, goal based child rearing. The focus in on how to communicate effectively to children.
Since Dr. Ginott passed away, the new editor is Dr. H. Wallace Goddard, who is LDS and is a regular contributor to Meridian Magazine.

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Feb 04, 2010

Idahogirl marked it as to-read

3. Between Parent and Child: Yes, it's dated, but I love, love, love Haim Ginott. Here's a famous quote of his, that I continue to use: “If you want your children to improve, let them overhear the nice things you say about them to others.” It's a classic, more suited for older kids (over 3 or so) than younger ones. Here's one of a bajillion review/summaries out there: "Perhaps Haim’s genius was helping parents capture the meaning behind children’s words and deeds. There is nothing quite as More...

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Oct 17, 2011

Chalida rated it:

Liam's preschool's book club book. Definitely eye-opening and I couldn't help reflecting on how my parents didn't communicate with me well growing up. It has already made me talk to Liam differently not to mention my students. While it sounds easy, in the moment, it's sometimes hard to remember. Reflecting your child's feelings is key. Acknowledging their wishes and desires is a must. Every phrase we use has to be in the name of humanity and creating a human being so no judging, criticizin More...

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Mar 23, 2010

Marcie rated it:

I had read snippets of this book while studying at BYU-I, so when I saw it on the shelves at the library I decided to read it all. I really liked it. It gives a lot of wonderful advice that is very helpful to healthy communication with children/anyone really. I have used it a lot with Melanie, reflecting feelings, letting her think for herself instead of telling herwhat to do and I find it to be helpful.

The only hesitation I have with this book is the last couple sections. Besides be More...

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Nov 29, 2010

Bonnie rated it:

I actually took notes while reading, which took me back to college days, but I learned a few great things about parenting. However, I felt like there was no information about, "Well, what if what you suggested doesn't work?" making it seem like kids will be so compliant once you communicate correctly. Yeah right. A lot of info seemed to be for older kids (than mine) but I can apply some info now. Two irritations: the counsel on clothing (sorry, I'm not going to let my daughter dress li More...

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Aug 20, 2010

Krista rated it:

Very, VERY thought-provoking. Even when I disagreed with Dr. Ginott (whose last name I'd love to know how to pronounce), it was generally over the implementation of a principle, not the principle itself. His approach kicks the casual, reactionary, parent-child dialogue rather out the door, and it took me a little while to really understand what he was saying.

The biggest concept I took from his book is summarized like this: parents provide physical first aid for physical injuries, b More...

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Dec 26, 2008

C rated it:

I think Dr. Ginott's work is very wonderful. This book, however, is dated. The gender and sexuality components are simply too 1950s and are beyond not useful and into potentially harmful, in my opinion. So I'm recycling this book. BUT I highly recommend "Liberated Parents, Liberated Children," also in my book list, which is early 1960s, I think, and written by some of the mothers in one Ginott's groups. That one is a little dated, but not too bad, and it retains a lot of the great thin More...

0 comments like (1 person liked it)

Jun 18, 2007

Andrea rated it:

I had this parenting book recommended by a website that was dismayed at the plethora of parenting advice that just addresses the situations, without addressing the root cause of problems, and advice that seems lacking in love ("provoke not your children to wrath"). When I got it in the mail, I recognized the cover from my mom's bookshelf, where I had snuck peeks in it as a kid to see what devious techniques my parents were using on us (I was pretty disappointed).

The book's More...

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Aug 14, 2009

Libbydale rated it:

Read a 1952 version of this. It's reiterating the ideas that are discussed in How To Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk, but this time they are straight from the expert himself. There was actually one line I read last night that I disagreed with, a bit of pop pyschology that flies in the face of the teachings of Jesus, but overall, still a lot of great advice on parent/child relationships.
I now know what parents from my childhood had this style of parenting, whether the More...

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Jun 07, 2010

Libby rated it:

This book has a lot in common with "Happiest Toddler on the Block" (a book I'm reading much more slowly because I own it) except this book is more geared for older children who can have normal conversations. Both books basically say that it is more important to let your child know you understand how they feel before reacting to their behavior (if at all). I found a lot of the anecdotal "wrong way to do it" examples a bit extreme, but I suppose it gets the point across. I w More...

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Aug 25, 2009

Chelsie rated it:

I picked this up because I have heard that every parent must read this book. I would have to agree, but I would also add that they should pick it up once there children are beginning to communicate. It was very informative but seeing as how my daughter is 7 weeks old I will have to re-read this book at a later date. It is full of examples of proper communication, and I especially found the italic print the most useful. I learned many things and cant wait to re-read it soon!

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Jan 23, 2009

Anne rated it:

O.K. actually I have yet to finish this book if you must know the truth. But the first two chapters that I have read are great and I truly believe that EVERY parent should read this book when they have kids. In fact I think that every parent-want-to-be should be required to read this book.

This book gives you the tools for learning to communicate effectively and in a respectable manner to your child(ren).

Some of my YES quotes from the book are as follows:
*"Don' More...

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May 09, 2011

John Markos rated it:

As a parent, I learned a lot from this book about keeping cool with my kids in stressful situations. Between Parent and Child teaches the reader not to suppress negative emotion but to express it in constructive ways. We've heard these messages before: "Use 'I' messages." Say, "When you scream, it hurts my ears and makes me angry," instead of "Stop screaming right now!" Say, "You wish we could have ice cream now, and it makes you sad that we have to have lunch More...

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Jan 28, 2011

CarrieLyn rated it:

I found this to be a helpful reminder that our children need empathy from us and not scolding/lecturing. As the authors themselves point out, though, it's hard to change our habits and put aside our natural tendencies. I didn't agree with the chapter/s on talking to your child about his/her sex life, and was a little surprised when reading about one of the authors to learn he must be LDS (went to BYU, at least).

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Oct 11, 2010

Amy rated it:

This book reminded me that children are not just small adults and that they need just as much training and modeling to deal with their emotions as they do to develop physical or intellectual skills. I like the focus on creating and maintaining a strong relationship rather than just getting children to obey or be smart. So far I've used several of Ginott's suggested behaviors with success.

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Oct 13, 2010

Elizabeth rated it:

This book is amazing. An easy read (I read it twice), extremely helpful, and the results are almost instantaneous. If I could give it six stars I would. When you first start communicating with your child in this manner, I will admit it does take a little while to get used to. Many of the practices I have already been trying to incorporate into out lives since reading Alfie Kohn, but Ginott puts it right out there in easy to use situations in words that create understanding, not judgement. Paren More...

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Jul 05, 2009

David rated it:

This has some excellent tips on how to deal with children, but at times goes overboard on “feelings.” At times, the author seems to suggest that if you simply acknowledge the child’s feelings, they will snap to attention and cooperate. Although I did not agree with everything this guy said, I found much of it insightful and instructive.

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