Thomas W. Phelan Ph.D. - 1-2-3 Magic: Effective Discipline for Children 2-12

Pros: Easy to read and implement. Works sell for MANY kids and parents.

Cons: Does not work well with more severe behaviors that require more intensive interventions.

The Bottom Line: A wonderful set of tools for managing problematic behaviors in children ages 2 - 12. Works well for MOST families. May need to be customized to work for YOU!

Review: As a therapist working, primarily, with children and families for nearly 30 years, finding materials that parents can read and use is an ongoing struggle. Some years back, I came across an earlier edition of this book and have used it, successfully, ...

Pros: Easy to read, easy to implement, and (usually) it works.

Cons: Won't work well if you're the only one doing it; but still worth reading.

The Bottom Line: Worth reading, worth sharing with all of your kids' caregivers. It's an award-winner in its third (or fourth) edition; it's tried & true.

Review: My three year old son is a smart, and somewhat reasonable kid, for a three year old. But he's three, and he's a LOT less interested in pleasing mom (and dad, and preschool teacher, and...) than was his sister, who is eleven. So when a friend ...

Pros: It works! It really works!

Cons: Sometimes hard to "count" without talking and emotion, but totally worth it.

The Bottom Line: I recommend that all parents buy this book before their child's 2nd birthday because it really takes the bite out of the terrible twos.

Review: When I bought this book, I was at my wits end with my almost 3 year old's behavior. She didn't listen, threw tantrums in public places, and worst of all, when she would get her hands on something she wasn't supposed to have, she'd run away with it and...

Pros: Read it in 2 hours; use it immediately. Simple and effective.

Cons: Works for most, not all.

The Bottom Line: I highly recommend this book if you have issues with your child talking back or whining. It is THE most simple and effective discipline program out there.

Review: I am writing this review from a parent's perspective and a therapists perspective because I LOVE THIS BOOK!!!! I am a school social worker and parents ask me all the time how to handle discipline problems at home. For most kids 2 to 12, this will do...

Pros: It works!

Cons: None

Review: I can count to 3. This means I can be a parent. I can even be an effective parent when it comes to discipline. So can you!

Basic Training for Parents
I am trained as a Marriage and Family therapist and I work daily with parents...

Pros: Perfect reminder of the BEST method to REACT, then handle most all broad general behaviors.

Cons: PARENTS will either NOT DO IT, or NOT DO IT RIGHT.

The Bottom Line: Perfect base method! Parents either won't do it or will not do it right.

Review: I am a stay-at-home-mom of 4 boys all within 2 years apart. And...while they were all very little, our rented townhouse back patio was smack dab on the public playground courtyard. So for 4 years I was a free babysitter to MANY children's un-escapeable ...

Pros: IT WORKS!!!!!!!!

Cons: I really havent found any cons except that sometimes I might forget to count

Review: This book is so great as far as a method of discipline goes! We had so many problems with my son just NOT listening, and unfortunately I found myself yelling and frustrated a lot. I heard about the book from other parents on an email loop and thought I...

Pros: It works

Cons: You have to remember it and be consistent which can be hard

The Bottom Line: I highly recommend this book as it is easy to use and very effective.

Review: I was recommended this book by my daughter's Pediatrician, so I went out and purchased it out of curiosity. Believe it or not, it really works!

Now my daughter knows that when I get to 2 that 3 is coming and she will be placed in her bedroom...

Pros: This book gives you a method that does work if you do it consistently.

Cons: You do feel like you are counting all the time. You may have to review the book to reinforce what you are trying to learn.

Review: There isn't a parent in the world who would sometimes like to know some magic to get children to do as they want them to without the major hassles, arguments and fuss. Here is an excellent book to help keep the peace in the house. It gives parents...

Pros: IT WORKS!

Cons: None with the program, only in my failure to count soon enough.

Review: My biggest problem with raising my daughter so far has been the fact that she doesnt listen and that she doesnt take me seriously when I tell her than she is going to get into trouble. Who could blame her? I was very wishy-washy when it came to...