Have a New Kid by Friday: Book Review

A mother of 6 girls turned me on to this book and it was defiantly a winner. The book is a reality check for parents who want and can give their kids anything they want but desire good behavior. Reshaping your thinking to the simple, "B doesn't happen until A is complete" is very powerful. We do so much for our kids and we need to be willing to walk away from a situation and take away a privilege in order to teach good character and behavior.

The book covers how to deal with slamming doors, drugs, not eating, shyness, showing off, and bullying. All the topics that eventually show up in parenting and catch most parents off guard. Now when I catch my kid stealing a pair a jeans or a candy bar, I know how to suppress my embarrassment and make my child face the music!

I was really impressed about how to handle a curfew. Instead of the parent setting a specific time, tell the child, "Be home at a reasonable hour." Let the child figure out what "reasonable" means to them. You'll be surprised at how often its earlier than the time you were thinking!

Here's the top 10 list from the back of the book.

10. Be 100 percent consistent in your behavior.
9. Always follow through on what you say you will do.
8. Respond, don't react
7. Count to 10 and ask yourself, "What would my old self do in this situation? What should the new me do?"
6. Never threaten your kids.
5. Never get angry. (When you do get angry, apologize quickly.)
4. Don't give any warnings. (If you warn a child, you're saying, "You're so stupid, I have to tell you twice.")
3. Ask yourself, "Whose problem is this?" (Don't own it if it isn't yours.)
2. Don't think the misbehavior will go away.
1. Keep the happy face on, even when you want to...do something else.

The essence of parenting can be boiled down to this simple equation: "B doesn't happen until A is complete!"