Smart Love: The Compassionate Alternative to Discipline That Will Make You a Better Parent and Your Child a Better Person

I was able to get this book from the library and plan on buying it for future reference. This book was a little hard to read at first but once I got the hang of the concepts they were describing I was glad I persevered. I was even able to explain it later to my husband who doesn't like to read, and he got it. It is such a relief to read a book that really makes sense and helps me raise children in line with my values. I have also read "Raising Our Children, Raising Ourselves" by Naomi Aldort, and "Between Parent and Child" by Dr. Haim G. Ginott, which I also recommend. I have 3 children ages 2, 5, and 10. I believe that a parent can help any child to be happy and successful when they truly understand them, even if they haven't been the best parent in the past. I don't believe that punishing them for "wrong" behavior or rewarding them for doing what I want is the answer. I was having problems with my middle child and his temper tantrums. Also, I had been having a lot of sibling rivalry issues between the two youngest ones. They were constantly provoking one another and hitting each other. This book really helped me to understand why they were acting this way and gave me concrete ways to solve the problems while keeping their self-esteem and my sanity intact. This book is very in-depth, covering ages birth through adult, and yet the concepts are so simple that they stick with you, once you understand them. I hope that everyone will give this book a try and that more people will write books that teach parenting skills that are respectful and compassionate towards children and adults.

This book is just scratching the surface of the most comprehensive understanding of human development-intrapsychic humanism, which Smart Love is based on. The authors have an unparalleled depth in regard to human philosophy and psychology of the mind. I have taught children for 19 years and have three of my own; this book offers the most sound advice in creating happy human beings.

I LOVED this book. I am so tired of books that tell me how to control my kids' behavior as though they were supposed to respond like trained dogs. THis book shows you how to raise children who will be caring adults who can take their place in a democratic society, not trained puppets who slavishly follow authority. Yet the authors are not permissive. They showed me parenting techniques that work in the short run and that unlike all the other books are also good for the long run. Buy this book -- it is crucial for every parent and for our society!

I'm a working mother who chooses to work but I also care deeply about my children's emotional development. I can see how much my children miss me when I'm at work, but the books I've bought don't help me help them with their feelings. Smart Love both showed me parenting pitfalls to avoid and how to respond to my children's feelings so to safeguard their emotional development. My two year old, who was crying every morning about going to day care is now going happily. His teachers report that he has stopped having tantrums at school and is enjoying the paints and toys. I am so grateful to have this book, which doesn't whitewash the problems of combining work and parenting but shows parents how to solve them! Don't go off to work without reading it.

I am the mother of three and I can tell you from experience that this is the most helpful parenting book I have ever read! I am giving it to everyone I know who has children of any age. This is the only book that really lets you know what your children are thinking and feeling and what it is fair to expect of them at every age. Smart Love also gives you loads of concrete, practical helpful suggestions to make you a better parent. Put it on your gift list -- your family and friends will really thank you this year!