How to Raise Kids You Want to Keep: The Proven Discipline Program Your Kids Will Love (and That Really Works!)

I've attended several parenting classes and read (or skimmed) scores of parenting books as I prepared for, began, and continue to raise my challenging adoptive son. Those of us who were raised in loving homes and learned early to be cooperative and delightful children can be surprised by the way our own children may not always buy into our ideas for how to successfully function as a family. From procrastination and bad habits to outright defiant and even abusive behavior, our children can be unlike anything we would have ever expected or imagined. This book has concrete advice and plans to put into action immediately! At first, I thought it was going to be another book of all the obvious, yet totally vague discussions of structure and communication and listening and praising good behavior and punishing bad behavior. It does start out that way to make sure you have all this as a base to work from. Without this introduction, the techniques discussed could seem questionable. But it does not stop with the usual blah blah blah that ends up sounding great and makes perfect sense, but falls apart when your kid is screaming obscenities in your ear and refusing to cooperate in any way for the third day this week and you have lost all patience and hope for keeping him out of jail. This book lays out step by step what to do RIGHT NOW to get back in control for the good of everybody involved. There are several stories provided with each technique to help flesh out the ideas presented, and convince you that, yes, this just might work with your possessed demon child. The case histories provide examples that range from the simple annoying habits we would like to change to the serious oppositional behavior common with abused or neglected children (including stories of the doctor's own children and foster child). There are several courses of action presented to choose from, and it seems that almost any parent could find something in this book that could make their life a little easier. When you have exhausted all "consequences" and behavior charts and threats, and nothing seems to be working anymore, READ THIS BOOK! In fact, read this book first and skip the frustration of all that other stuff.

I stumbled upon this book and was taken by its methods, simplicity and logic. No screaming, no feeling ready to give up/in out of frustration ("I'LL just take out the trash MYSELF! It's easier that way!")Stop. Read. This book instructs you by giving you a method and then walking you thru the use of that method by using real life situations from the past. Author Dr.Day has it down pat. DO NOT try to reinvent the wheel! Utilize one of Dr. Day's brilliant techniques! I've bought several copies to send to my children struggling with a stubborn (or should we say 'well focused'?) child. I've just sent another copy to a friend age 60! who has just, out of screaming necessity, received custody and is raising her two grandchildren. When I read the book myself, I could only wish I had this available when raising my three children! Dr. Day warns you that you need to prepare yourself and dedicate a day or two days to implement any given technique. He ephasizes that you must follow thru with the technique as he outlines it for you. Get ready. You are going to feel empowered.

Dr. Day was our therapist for five years. He is amazing. His book outlines a lot of the techniques we learned in his office and I can guarantee you that they work. Not every technique works for every child but the ones that click with your kiddo are like magical secret weapons that you can pull out of your parenting hat again and again, no matter what the age of your child.

Trying to raise kids in the world we live in today can be so challenging and hair raising. My kids range from 15 years old down to 3 years old and this book is just amazing. It offers ideas and solutions to basically any type of situation you might encounter with your kids and how to best handle it to keep your sanity and keep the kids responsible for their actions. I'd recommend this book to anyone!!!

I bought 4 books, one for me and a friend and one for my daughter and daughter in law. We all found the book to be easy to read. The methods really work. You also recognized yourself and others. The book also makes you laugh.