Four Weeks to a Better-Behaved Child: Breakthrough Discipline Techniques that Really Work

by Cristine Chandler, Laura McGrath

A smart, easy-to-implement, and unique approach to positive disciplining

Drawing on her highly successful methods developed in her private practice, Dr. Cristine Chandler lays out clear, step-by-step instructions to help parents foster good behavior in their children based on the positive that children behave well when they understand clearly what is expected of them.

Most discipline problems occur when parents are inconsistent about what they expect. Four Weeks to a Better-Behaved Child shows parents how to implement the "4Cs" of discipline in their daily use clear, consistent, contingent consequences. Moreover, in this concise, straightforward book, Dr. Chandler challenges several commonly used approaches to discipline and provides alternatives. She shows

Why punishment is often the least effective way to discipline children Why anger never works Why "time-out" works only sometimes--and what to do instead How to use consequences to encourage--and get--good behavior

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction

181 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 9, 2004

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I may update the rating after trying some of the things that the book suggests, but it overall felt like things that I already knew and it felt like it took a while to get to the applicable parts that I actually wanted to read. The book felt a little sloppy, but there is some decent information and suggestions.

There are many oversimplifications and assumptions about people's family life. He talks about this reward system so much where you reward your kid with tv or some other electronic game for doing their chores every day. He does say some other kids might have a different reward, but it's not really discussed in depth. Since my kids don't watch TV or play electronics on a regular basis, I'm not interested at all in making it a regular part of their day right before bedtime. That kind of sounds like the worst idea. Though I see the logic behind this reward system and I'll think about possible ways to adopt it to our situation if needed.

The part about anger was enlightening and changed the way I think about my interactions with my kids. Probably the most useful part of the book.

Worth a read, but it wasn't amazing.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

At wit's end with my children some days and picked this book up to see if there was something I'm missing. We'll see if this is something to put into action or if we should just pick and chose the methods that are going to work for us.
Read this book for a while and then got to a point where I wasn't interested anymore and just wanted solutions. At some point I may come back to it, but the book is due and needs to be handed back... and I'm due and don't feel like reading about discipline at the moment.
stopped at pg 82 of 169

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not for the Unconditional Parenting crowd. This was recommended by a mother I know and admire and I found it to be a very simple and reasonable method -- not that I've actually tried it or anything. Seriously, just reading this and thinking about it has made things calmer around the house.

[Michele]

Skimmed this. Didn't seem to have any fresh ideas.

[Aubrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great tactics for parenting. We implemented several suggestions and have experienced success. I don't agree with every recommendation, but it was great thought fodder.

[Marnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

These techniques worked for us and our 5 yr old. Twin 2 yr olds are a little too young, but when the time comes we will re-read and put it in action.

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

not for us.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book with a fairly simple plan to deal with children and discipline, will try these to see how they work in my family.