Taming the Spirited Child: Strategies for Parenting Challenging Children Without Breaking Their Spirits
by Michael H. Popkin
book data
15 ratings, 3.80 average rating, 12 reviews
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published
March 6th 2007
by Fireside
binding
Paperback, 288 pages
isbn
0743286898
(isbn13: 9780743286893)
description
<p align="center">
<big>Do you dread parent-teacher conferences?
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Does your child rea...more
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other reviews (showing 1-20 of 28)
Read in February, 2008
I found some of the suggestions in this book helpful, especially the emphasis on not showing anger as a parent because, in a power struggle, that means the child wins. It takes a middle position between the authoritarian and permissive approaches to parenting, though I found it a little too close to the permissive side. (What you have to understand is that when your child is screaming in your ear and hitting you, she's not really being disrespectful. Uh, yes, she really is.)
Many of the tact...more
Many of the tact...more
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Read in June, 2008
My 4-year-old defintely fits into the cateogory of a spirted child and this book is just what I needed to read right now to deal with the power struggles and frustrations we often have together. Popkin helps you to see your child's traits in a positive light and how just viewing your child in a less negative way can help with their behavior. He also discusses how to avoid power struggles. This book is a lot of discipline strategies in one book. Since I have read numerous parenting books I did...more
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Read in August, 2008
I thought the author did a good job of not writing just another parenting book, but was really thorough in explaining his definition of spirited children and his philosophy and strategy in raising one. I really appreciated the fact that he recommends finishing the book before implementing any of the strategies. It shows that he really "gets" spirited children and he is truly dedicated to helping parents understand and make the paradigm shift needed to have a more successful and posit...more
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Read in September, 2007
I have to confess, I didn't read this one in-depth all the way through. But what I did read was insightful - especially the chapter on the nature of power and how that plays out in the parent-child relationship. At first, too, I resisted picking this one up because of the title. But then after his explanation of what he means by "tame" (he doesn't mean "docile" or "submissive" or anything along those lines; instead, he's talking more about self-control and formin...more
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I had several of what Oprah calls "Ah-Ha!" moments when I read this book. I have an extremely spirited and strong-willed child, and this book gave me the confidence I needed, as well as several strategies for effectively taking control of my child's behaviors and my sanity. I love this book.
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Having a child with a strong will, this book has given me some great strategies for getting her to cooperate more often. Still reading it, but I find it easy to understand and put ideas into practice. Definite read for those with "spirited" toddlers!
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Has a copy to sell/swap
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Read in July, 2007
recommends it for:
parents at wits end
This book has really opened my eyes. The suggested strategies for discipline and generally living with a "spirited child" are very helpful should you be so lucky to have one. My frustration level has dropped considerably.
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This book has excellent parenting advice, real-world examples, and useful information about children's needs for power and how parents can grant them power without letting them run the show. I really enjoyed it!
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Spirited is an accurate description for my daughter. I hope I can use this book's ideas in a positive way to help guide her. This book was very useful.
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Has some pretty good techniques for dealing with power struggles which is the biggest problem in our household (we're all too darned stubborn).
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I need this one too! I think I'll pass it along to my sister-in-law! Thanks for sharing with us, Rachel!
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Very helpful. If you want to stop the battles with your child, just is a very helpful guide.
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