Helicopters, Drill Sergeants & Consultants: Parenting Styles and the Messages They Send

by Jim Fay

I have two addictions- kids and psychology. It's pretty easy to figure out why I grew addicted to kids, but with psychology it's less obvious. I became addicted to psychology because I grew up learning how to use power, and I finally got tired of fighting with everybody. In place of power, I'm suggesting some practical and usable tools for parents and teachers that are adapted from formal psychological concepts. I offer them as suggestions. You may chew on all of them, and you don't have to swallow a single one of them whole. I'm not trying to make you feel guilty. I'm not trying to tell you what you're doing wrong with your children. I simply want to share some psychological techniques that raised the quality of my life dramatically. I also want to do this because, for me, sharing these ideas is fun!

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction, Self Help, Psychology

112 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

Reviews

[Shayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short sweet and to the point. This is based on the love and logic style of parenting and I found the book hilarious!!
Because it is so small it really gave me a pick me up to my parenting skills that reminded me what I am doing right and what I need to change!!
I recomended it to a bunch of my friends with kids or planning on the way.

[The Parentz · Rating 4 out of 5]

While reading, I found myself nodding in agreement with many of the principles outlined in the book. Fay's expertise shines through as he shares practical strategies that can be implemented in real-life parenting situations. I appreciated the emphasis on fostering independence and resilience in children.

One aspect that could be improved upon is the variety of stories used to illustrate the points. While the book does offer valuable insights, a more diverse range of examples and anecdotes would have further enriched the reading experience.

Overall, "Helicopters, Drill Sergeants & Consultants" is a valuable resource for parents who are seeking to improve their parenting skills and adopt a balanced approach. It provides actionable advice and thought-provoking ideas that can positively impact the parent-child relationship. I highly recommend this book to all parents who are looking for practical guidance in raising independent, responsible, and confident children.

For more information about HELL-icopter Parenting and its effects, I recommend visiting TheParentz.com. They provide comprehensive insights and resources on this topic, which can further enhance your understanding of effective parenting strategies.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a quick read and over view of the love and logic approach to parenting.

I don't agree with every element of the philosophy. I can't give my kids a task and "hope they fail." I can accept that failure is not a tragedy or cause for irritation/anger, but rather an opportunity for natural consequences to come to pass. I do like the idea of yielding reasonable control and power to kids, letting them make their own decisions, and learning how to make choices and recognize and accept the consequences.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good one from Jim Fay. One thing I didn't like is that I heard stories I'd heard in other books and it seems to me that with all the work he's done, he could use different stories to illustrate his point. I did get something out of this, however, although I really think that I need Jim Fay to come live in my house for about 2 weeks and tell me how to react to each situation that comes up--retrain my brain! ;-) Oh, if it could only be so.

[Ariell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is really good. It's a short and fast read. It's simple and to the point. I like that there is not so much detail that you lose interest. I felt that I took in the message and was able to practice the ideas within the day. I still have a lot to learn in the parenting department, but this is helpful.

[Kari · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy most of Jim Fay and Foster Cline's books, but I think it's also important to hear their voices when learning about Love and Logic Parenting otherwise, what we say may sound sarcastic or less-than-authentic. Actually hearing the men speak the words helps in this area. Audio CD's or DVD's are great resources to enhance the books.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

SUPER good/fast read to get you up and going on this style of parenting in the READERS DIGEST type version. Cute, quip and ready to go. Read on friends! Love and Logic is super.

[Katrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was very entertaining. Hmmm. What type of parent am I? I am learning to be a consultant!

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice, easy, condensced view of Jim Fay's parenting ideals. I agree with his ideas, and this is a good, short read, for those who aren't going to take on the big ones.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful resource from the Love & Logic folks - have listened to it repeatedly to keep my parenting in check.