Ratings4
Average rating4.8
The author of Punished by Rewards and The School Our Children Deserve builds on his parenting theories of working with children rather than trying to control them, argues against practices that teach children that they must earn a parent's approval, and presents techniques that promote desired child qualities through unconditional support. Reprint. 30,000 first printing.
Reviews with the most likes.
This could easily have been a 50-pager.
Main take-away: “If you respect your kids, they respect you.” Although, it was presented from the other angle: “Don't be an a-hole, or your kids will be sh't.” Stupidly obvious and repetitive, even if it made sense.
Interesting perspective on parenting. Probably a bit too extreme, a bit too preachy, and the author spends far too much time on the “wrong” practices, and far too little on what “good” parenting actually looks like, but definitely worth a read.
I would be interested to read a similarly persuasive book(s) from the “behaviourist” camp to form a more informed opinion - especially that in general I'm implicitly biased against behaviourism - any recommendations would be much appreciated!
This was a breath of fresh air for me as a parent frustrated with the abundance of parenting advice that assumes that controlling children is inevitable or even ideal. I had previously understood that punishment was harmful to a parent-child relationship, but I didn't know that reward could also harm children. I now have a deeper understanding of how to demonstrate unconditional love and support for my child, and I would recommend this book to anyone who regularly interacts with children—parents, teachers, child care providers, and others.
Featured Prompt
90 booksBooks have the ability to educate, inform and inspire us to be better. What are some of the books that changed your life in some way? This could be books that gave you a new point of view, taught y...