If the children in your family or classroom are driving you crazy and you need ideas for getting back in control of the situation, this book is for you. It is a definitive guide to the art and skill of disciplining children with love and respect, for children from tots to teenagers. TAKING CHARGE is based on over forty years of parenting, teaching, and counseling experience, resulting in an overall approach that works. Solid ideas for contemporary parents and teachers.
I really enjoyed this book, especially the first eight chapters. It had a lot of great parenting advice.
Some of my favorite...
“We need to be noticed and loved just because we exist. By paying attention to children at neutral times, adults convey a sense of unconditional love.”
“Corrections are not punishments. They are part of a step by step process of teaching the child to see the sense of behaving in certain ways.”
“Act the first time you see the misbehavior.” This teaches them you mean what you say the first time you say it and you won’t get so angry and frustrated.
“Intense feelings give too much attention and power to the misbehavior. Emotional energy is what kids want and need from you. Try not to give it to them when they are misbehaving.”
Upon reading this I realized that really, my 2 year old is not that bad! It gave me some good ideas for being a better parent, but I didn't do any in depth study or note taking. I think it's a book that I will refer back to when I face different challenges at older ages as well.
Wow, this book introduces concepts and strategies I have not encountered before, after 12 years as a parent and lots of reading on the subject! Fantastically clear writing, and compassion and respect for both adults and children. A wonderful resource.