Common Sense Parenting of Toddlers and Preschoolers

I decided to try this method because I had used the Boys Town Common Sense teaching method as a school project. I really liked its "non-bully" approach to dealing with students who were misbehaving. I particularly liked the preventative approaches that reduced the amount of misbehavior in general. Now that I have a toddler, I really wanted to use the same type of approach and had struggled with doing so. I tried other books and methods but found them to be outside my style or ridiculous and difficult to apply. This book is just what it says: "Common-sense" and it WORKS. It is easy to apply and doesn't require a Masters to use. My son has made amazing progress behavior-wise. I highly recommend this book for those who like a simple program for profound results.

This is a great book - my husband and I have put the advice into action and it works! For example. practice with your toddler, prevent bad behavior: my husband took our 2 1/2 year daughter trick or treating. After a few houses he came back and said she wouldn't say thank you to anyone. I got down to her level and we practiced, you knock on the door, say trick or treat, I pretended to give her candy and told her to say thank you. I was very specific but kept it in her terms and it worked!! She told everyone else that night thank you. I wouldn't have bought it if I didn't feel like we needed it, it's really helped. They talk about praise, time out and reminding mom and dad how important it is to stay calm. After all, they're watching everything we do even when we don't think they're even listening.

A very helpful book and well written. Alot of the points in topics are common sense and when you read them your like well "duh" but you'd be surprised how refreshing it is to have these points acknowledged. I like how the book starts with a little background in child development and offers a better understanding of a child as over the years it is easily forgotten what it is like to be a child and their mind set. I do love the book and like how it is set up where you do have to read through the book to get the whole concept. The only reason I did not give it five stars even though I loved it, the book although says toddlers (which to me is 18mnths-2yrs) it seems like it was more geared to an older child possible 4 yrs and older. I could be wrong but alot of the technique and such have not worked on my almost two year old and neither did the approach. But over all it was an excellent book and would reccommend it.

i just had to take the time to write this review to let people know how wonderful this book is. If you don't believe in yelling at or hitting your children, but you can't figure out what else to do, this is the book for you. I have a 4 year old and have been following this book's advice for about 6 months and it works every time. it worked right from the beginning. It made sense to me and fit my style of wanting to "teach" my daughter rather than scold and threaten. It gives you examples and step by step instructiions. It is not a book that you can just "flip through" to get answers to your questions. You have to "read" it all the way through because one section links to the other. But it reads easily and quickly like you are talking to someone who understands. You can read it in a day or two. My copy is highlighted and dog-eared all the way through. I can't say enough about this book. My daughter and I are BOTH happier and better "behaved". I hope the authors have written other books on the next age group and adolescents.

Collaboratively written by parenting experts Bridget A. Barnes and Steven M. York, Common Sense Parenting Of Toddlers And Preschoolers is a very practical and "parent friendly" guide to the raising young children. From setting reasonable expectations for young children; to teaching social skills and self-control; to turning daily and weekly routines into family traditions, to handling very practical issues such as toilet training, bedtime, and meals, Common Sense Parenting Of Toddlers And Preschoolers is an expertly written "how to" manual which is very highly recommended for parents and caretakers of children ages 2 through 5.