Anthony Wolf’s groundbreaking book focuses on the most difficult challenges of parenting post-infant to pre-teen children—setting limits and making demands. Dr. Wolf covers all the class parenting problem areas: family disputes, including who’s in charge (Mom or Dad), sibling fights, and divorce; day-to-day issues such as bedtime, grumpiness, and public tantrums; and problems that might not be problems after all, like aggression, lying, and spoiling. Positive, loving, and, above all, effective, this guide offers parents what they want most: more time to enjoy their children.
This is a MUST READ Book I have read a lot of parenting books, this one is the best by far. It was as if he stepped in my home and saw our day to day interactions with our kids, and he gave specifics on how to solve each problem. Great Book, I wished I had read this long before now, it would have more peaceful at home.
The best parenting book I ever read, and I've read a LOT Without a doubt, this is the best book I have ever read on handling children. I've read all the classics, and each of them taught me little bits here and there, but this was the only book where every single chapter spoke to me. Not only is the advice terrific, but Wolf gives explanations for some behaviors that otherwise didn't make any sense.
Did you ever pick up the phone when your child was playing quietly? You know what happens, right? Your child suddenly needs your assistance THIS MINUTE and will make it impossible for you to have a conversation. The same thing happens if you get a visitor or run into someone when your child was otherwise perfectly happy. Anthony Wolf tells you why your child does this. And better yet, he tells you what you can do to STOP this!
While implementing his strategy takes some self-control, it is not difficult, and there isn't a lot to remember. The important thing is to be consistent and use his approach whenever you deal with tantrums or interruptions. He calls this approach Robo-Parent. When it's clear that the child is just trying to keep you hooked into an argument, you stop talking and remove the child to his room. At our house we just say "Goodbye." It's kind of like a time-out in that it resets everyone's mood, but there's no clock. The child can come back whenever he's ready to behave. Usually my kids just go to their room and come right back out. It's not a punishment.
In fact Wolf clearly disapproves of punishing children, because he says shaming and hurting is counter-productive. Think about an abusive boss you had and how eager you were to do your best with that behavior. That's how your kids feel too. This approach leads to better feelings for everyone.
Wolf has another book out called _Secrets of Parenting_ which is mostly taken from this book. Buy one or the other as there is a tremendous amount of overlap. Both are appropriate in handling children between 2 and 12; he has another book on dealing with teenagers.
This book changed my life This book tought me how to parent better than any other book I have ever read. People always comment to me on how well behaved my kids are and its all due to Anthony Wolfe. Wolfe tells you in simple (and amusing) ways how to parent without punishment, bribes, or driving YOURSELF crazy! Now, if parenting without punishment sounds like being "soft", its not. I am a much tougher parent than most of the people I know. Wolfe has helped me learn to use my own "power" as a parent to get well behaved kids without threats or punishment. Everyone with kids under the age of 12 should read this book.
this book reassures parents that they are doing a good job! Wow! This is the first book I ever read that explained that when your child says "Mommy, I hate you," it's actually a good sign. I found it very comforting at a time when my kids were crazed as a result of being pawns in a nasty divorce. (Things are better now.) - Carrie in Boston
You need to be a parent to appreciate this My book club read this book while my daughter was an infant. I thought it was sort of psycho-babbly. Then my daughter neared her second birthday, and I searched out this book again. All of a sudden it made perfect sense!
I won't say this is the only parenting book you will ever need, but it certainly makes some very valid points, and provides you with actual techniques to apply to your daily ruckus. I recommend it to friends, and now to you too!
Anything Goes Trivia
Trevor
Megaton Man
