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Rating: 
Summary: Great book!!!
Review: As both a mom and a teacher, this book is a "MUST-READ!" It reassures readers that the trials and tribulations of raising children are perfectly normal, and offers advice that is logical and easy to try. It also helps readers to "see through the eyes of a child" - which is a true gift. I LOVE this book, and am eagerly awaiting a sequel for surviving the teenage years!
Rating:
Summary: Great - Simply Put
Review: I have to admit to being somewhat skeptical about this book's premise. After all, most of the parenting books I've read lately tend to dwell on the importance of strict rules, discipline, and the pitfalls of being a pushover parent. Given that, what's to negotiate?Actually, a lot of things. After a certain age, I found it physically impossible to "make" my child do anything. On the few occasions I tried, usually because of perceived lack of time or energy, the net effect was a much greater cost of time and energy for both of us. Of greatest concern to me, however, was the potential for damage to our long-term relationship. Eventually I came to realize that the negotiation approach is the only way to realize a happy, peaceful domestic life, and had been (perhaps subconsciously) using it to help my child behave more responsibly. Mr. Brown's book helped me view these interactions as part of a well-understood process, and provided me with some valuable new tools to employ. I would highly recommend it to any parent. By the way, the techniques covered in the book are equally effective with other family members (such as one's spouse!)
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Summary: Most useful parenting book on my shelf
Review: I have to admit to being somewhat skeptical about this book's premise. After all, most of the parenting books I've read lately tend to dwell on the importance of strict rules, discipline, and the pitfalls of being a pushover parent. Given that, what's to negotiate? Actually, a lot of things. After a certain age, I found it physically impossible to "make" my child do anything. On the few occasions I tried, usually because of perceived lack of time or energy, the net effect was a much greater cost of time and energy for both of us. Of greatest concern to me, however, was the potential for damage to our long-term relationship. Eventually I came to realize that the negotiation approach is the only way to realize a happy, peaceful domestic life, and had been (perhaps subconsciously) using it to help my child behave more responsibly. Mr. Brown's book helped me view these interactions as part of a well-understood process, and provided me with some valuable new tools to employ. I would highly recommend it to any parent. By the way, the techniques covered in the book are equally effective with other family members (such as one's spouse!)
Rating:
Summary: Great - Simply Put
Review: I'm a young mother of a 4-year daughter going through the hard times of divorce. At this difficult time of her life, it becomes even more important to develop strong structure in our home and build a stronger relationship that can withstand the dividedness of divorce. This book helps us deal with difficult situations that arise that seemed like such small issues when married - and also has great stories any parent can relate to and laugh at. Thanks Mr. Scott Brown!!
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Summary: For me, a life-changing book
Review: Scott Brown has given my life with my children more perspective than any other book. This book is amazing, and yet, nothing in there is all that earth-shattering. I took away from the book a few key points: 1. Keep your emotions in check.
2. Don't respond emotionally to your child, but do show your emotions (read the book to find out how!)
3. Name yours and your child's emotions
4. Truly try to understand what is going on in your child's head -- and don't guess why, ASK!
5. Involve your child in decision-making -- and this includes when you decide the consequences!
6. Persuade, don't coerce, your child to see your point.
7. Be willing to be flexible and allow your child to change your mind. I had a revelation as I read the book that the way he talks about handling your children is how I handle conflict at work. At work, and even in my personal life (other than the kids) -- I am pretty universally known as a consensus-builder. I never force people to do what I want them to do, but I work really hard at persuading people to work with me to come up with a win-win solution for all of us. Yet with my kids, I yell at them to do what I want, when I want, how I want. I don't treat them, and their opinions, with the respect I give my co-workers and friends! How sad is that? The best thing about the book is in the description of conflicts that we all have with our kids, and the way the same situation could have been solved using his methods. All the arguments are so accurately written that I actually laughed out loud (and was sometimes a little sad). When Brown re-wrote the scenario, using a negotiation method, it all made perfect sense. Does it take longer to negotiate? Yes. Is it really hard to keep your emotions in check? Unbelievably! But it really seems to work. In short, buy this book. I intend to buy copies for everyone I know.
Rating:
Summary: Quick Help
Review: Scott Brown's book should be required reading for every parent out there. As a parent of 3 young children I found his advice practical and very helpful. His examples made me laugh out loud as I could relate to all of them. "How to Negoitate with Kids" is a wonderful book.
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