Respectful Kids: The Complete Guide to Bringing Out the Best in Your Child

This book was extremely helpful to me as a parent of three children ages 4, 6, and 8. I was already doing most of the positive parenting concepts he recommended, but when I added in the last little concept I had been neglecting - SHAZAM, I watched with surprise and a big smile on my face as all three of my kids skyrocketed in their respect. This is a very practical book with easy to implement strategies. I have also heard great things about his other book Keep the Siblings, Lose the Rivalry.

Family coach and child psychologist Dr. Todd Cartmell, author of THE PARENT SURVIVAL GUIDE and KEEP THE SIBLINGS, LOSE THE RIVALRY, now offers a guide on raising respectful kids. With great parental involvement, some focused pre-planning, and lots and lots of role-playing practice, Cartmell demonstrates simple ways for moms and dads to lead their families in a healthier (happier) direction. Cartmell opens with a discussion of the meaning of R-E-S-P-E-C-T, which the author says reveals itself in common everyday home life scenarios. Kids show respect when they respond quickly and politely to parents' instructions; speak in both a thoughtful and self-controlled manner when replying and asking questions; express feelings without denigrating others; and learn to adapt to life's ever-changing situations by being graciously flexible. Cartmell offers numerous case scenarios from his professional experience where readers can study verbal interchanges among the author, parents and children. This is especially helpful, as weary parents don't always have the mental energy to "see" how a particular plan of discipline or instruction might play out in real life. From the outset, Cartmell makes it clear that he sees biblical parenting as much wider in scope than merely disciplining children to obey. Rather, he cites Proverbs 22:6, "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it," noting that Solomon emphasized the "training" aspect of parenting, not simply disciplining. This text is laid out in a three-part format outlining key strategies for growing respectful kids. Strategy One: teach respectful behavior by expecting children to "listen and respond appropriately the first time; be flexible and respectful even in the face of disappointment; and find a solution instead of just arguing about the problem." These responses, writes Cartmell, require consistency and practice, practice, practice on the part of both the children and the parents. Strategy Two: turn on respectful behavior by helping kids see the connection between their respectful behavioral choices and the resulting positive consequences. Some of the specifics for reinforcing such positive responses include parents deliberately looking for the "gold" in their children, recognizing that even troubled kids make some good decisions each day and then commending them on this. Cartmell also suggests using the pour-it-on technique where moms and dads really seek to be consistently offering positive feedback and encouragement daily...even hourly, so that after a while, children are wowed and impacted by the "good stuff" they're getting from their folks. The author says that behavioral contracts are also effective tools for changing poor behavior and reinforcing good responses and choices. Finally, Strategy Three: turn off disrespectful behavior by instilling the certainty that it always results in "bad, fast, and every time." In other words, when a kid decides to diso

Dr. Cartmell's new book, Respectful Kids: The Complete Guide to Bringing Out the Best in Your Child is wonderful! Parents need positive ways to raise kids in a world with so many different influences. This book puts parents in the drivers seat for raising respectful kids. I enjoyed the layout of information making is a useful and reviewable tool. Each concept is clearly explained with examples for reinforcement. My husband and I both enjoyed reading and going over the concepts with our kids. We were able to put the concepts into practice right away, especially "fast listening". Every parent can take something from this book to better the communication, relationship and improve the overall climate in the family. Thank you Dr. Cartmell for helping us add a loving, Christian approach to raising our kids.

This book offers practical methods that you can apply quickly and see near instant results with your kid. My 7 year old has been a challenge for some time now...ignoring instructions, throwing subtle tantrums; there often seems to be negative energy between us. Now he is learning 'fast listening' and I am learning how to 'pour on the praise'. Next we're going to tackle problem solving. This is a must read for any parent.

This book is a practical guide to help solve everyday parenting problems. The "mood" of the book is lighthearted and positive. As the title suggests, the book offers simple techniques to instill respect in children (toward parents, siblings, and others). However, it does more than that. It outlines methods to reinforce positive behavior, discourage bad behavior, and to help kids understand their role in the family. Biblical passages referenced throughout the book bolster his methods. Dr. Cartmell included quite a few anecdotes from his clinical practice and his own family.