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Kid Cooperation: How to Stop Yelling, Nagging and Pleading and Get Kids to Cooperate
by Elizabeth Pantley
Parenting
would have to be the most difficult (yet rewarding!) job in the
world. Of all parenting challenges, discipline is probably at the
top of most parents' list. Every parent wants to raise kids who
are responsible and caring people. But HOW on earth are we supposed
to achieve this? Often the only blueprint we have for discipline
comes from our own parents, and involves methods such as spanking
and shouting, which are neither effective nor respectful to children.
Thank
goodness for Elizabeth Pantley and her wonderful book Kid
Cooperation: How to Stop Yelling, Nagging and Pleading and Get Kids
to Cooperate! I must admit to being somewhat sceptical when
I come across claims such as those in this book title. "If it sounds
too good to be true then it probably is," rings in my ears. However,
I am delighted to be able to say that this book not only lives up
these claims but MORE.
In
Kid Cooperation, Elizabeth Pantley shares parenting skills that
are life-changing! I do not say that lightly! This book will change
your life! The wonderful thing is that the skills outlined are easy
to learn and implement, they actually WORK, and probably most importantly
in my opinion, they are kind to and respectful of children. Elizabeth's
style is very readable, positive and not at all preachy. She allows
you to determine areas needing improvement in a way that leaves
you feeling both hopeful and positive.
The
first chapter comprises a quiz to determine your current discipline
style. Are you permissive, democratic, balanced or autocratic? (I
erred on the "too democratic" side!) The good news is that, whatever
your current style, you CAN find help in this wonderful book.
The
remaining chapters contain the gems of wisdom which fulfil the claims
on the front cover! Chapter 2 teaches the keys to successful parenting
- take charge; think; when you say it, mean it; use skill. Chapter
3 covers cooperation and how to achieve it in your home. Chapter
4 discusses punishment versus discipline. Chapter 5 teaches ways
to build your child's self-esteem. Chapter 6 is all about sibling
relationships. Chapter 7 deals with parent anger. Chapter 8 discusses
ways to look after yourself and the relationship with your parenting
partner. Chapter 9 consists of some common discipline questions
with several suggestions on how to deal effectively with each. Each
chapter ends with a very helpful "reminder page," which can be copied
and placed in appropriate spots around the home. This really makes
learning the new skills manageable!
Throughout
the book, examples of situations and dialogue (some from the author's
own family experiences) make understanding easy. Many readers will
see themselves and their kids in the examples (I did!) Elizabeth
makes it simple to identify ineffective parenting AND to replace
it with techniques that actually WORK. I have personally used many
of the skills taught in this book with my own child and am thrilled
to report the improvement in harmony in our household. Some examples
which have been particularly useful to us are the "5-3-1-go" (when
leaving a playground for example), making objects talk (great for
things like teeth cleaning time!), and using happy faces and sad
faces on a daily chart.
I
thoroughly recommend this book! My ONLY complaint is that I didn't
get it when my child was younger!
To Purchase:
• Kid Cooperation at Amazon.com
• Kid Cooperation Amazon UK
• Kid Cooperation at Amazon Canada
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