Children the Challenge

My in-laws raised my husband on this book, and he is quite a wonderful person. We intend to raise our children this way, too. The book IS outdated, and I don't agree with 100% of it. For example, research done since the book was written has shown that quick, consistent, loving response to a baby's cries builds trust and communication between the baby and its parents. So I would disregard the advice to leave a baby to cry. Dreikurs is opposed to spanking, but it's because he doesn't think it works very well, not because he thinks it's inherently harmful or dangerous. So his advice to let other significant adults in your child's life use corporal punishment if they want to is off, I think. Other parts of the book are outdated as well, but not in ways that would matter as far as changing parenting techniques. Well, you shouldn't leave your kids alone in a car, obviously, but other than that.... Why am I still giving his book five stars even with all of the above reservations? Because even WITH all of my reservations, I still think this is the best childrearing book I have ever read--and I've read a lot of them. It clearly outlines a parenting style that is neither authoritarian nor permissive, and contributes to loving relationships where people take responsibility for their actions. I can't recommend it more highly. If you have children or if you interact with them at all, do yourself a favor and read this book!

This is the best book I have ever, ever read. I went to a seminar given by a local published psychologist and he told us it was the best book on child discipline he had ever read. That is why I got it. In one week my life has been changed by this book. I have learned techniques to motivate my children and avoid power struggles which had been a part of my daily life for the last five years. My only regret is that I did not get this book sooner. I could not be more impressed. This is something that really works. I have told all my friends. I want the world to know too.

This book was presented to me back in the 70's. Today I pass it on to two of my daughters, age 33 and age 35, who are using this new addition to help them with their children. This helped us through the 70's and my children still talk about the methods we used in those days that were recommended by Dr. Alfred Dreikurs. I think this book is oustanding and actually phenonmenal. Most of all it is SIMPLE. I recommend it to anyone trying to raise children without understanding or guidance and feel lost. It is so simple, it cuts out all the screaming, fighting, whinning, begging and manipulations little ones are so good at and saves Mommy from frustration and insanity. Daddies can use it too.

I've gone through so many parenting books and magazines - and this book is reaaly the first helpful book I've come across. I found results in my home in days - more cooperative children, a lot less fighting, and a calmer, happier mother. The author demonstrates clearly how to maintain disciipline and order while also respecting children and their free agency. When I first found the book I called my mother, "I finally found a book that IS my philosophy of child rearing!" Ironically, it is an old edition of the same book that my mother read over and over when I was growing up.