SOS: Help for Parents, Third Edition

This book was structured well, especially for busy parents. The font is big, there are cute cartoon illustrations that drive home her points, and she bullet points a lot of things and segments everything clearly. More parenting books need to be straight to the point and less wordy like this one. But I'm sure readers are more interested in the content, which I thought was good too.As a first time mom to a girl about to enter her 2's, I wanted to read up on as many discipline books as possible because I have much to learn! Although some of the stuff seems like common sense, I still thought it was worth reading.3 Main Rules (and she gives great examples):1) Reward Good Behavior (and do it quickly and often)2) Don't "accidentally" reward bad behavior3) Correct some bad behavior (but use mild correction only)4 Errors to Avoid:1) Parents Fail to Reward Good Behavior2) Parents "Accidentally" Correct Good Behavior3) Parents "Accidentally" Reward Bad Behavior4) Parents Fail to Correct Bad Behavior (when Mild Correction is Indicated)Much of the book is about the effective use of time-outs. The last few pages have several templates parents can use to help reward good behavior. The index is also done well - you can easily do a search based on the type of problem you're having with your child.

This has been one of the best parenting books I have used to teach behavioral techniques to kids. I work as a family therapist and I use this as a workbook to teach assertive parenting skills. Every one of my parents who have used this have had big turn around in their children's behaviors and report less frustration and anxiety. This is easy to read and process. I also use this with families with autistic children with a lot of success. I took this class at Western Kentucky University and it has probably been more helpful in my career as a therapist then any other parenting class I have ever taken. I would refer this book to any parent wanting more structure, more positive behaviors, and less stress in their lives. I use it with my own kids for 7 years and it has changed my life.

Much of this book focuses on using "Timeout" and soft correction. It mentions firmer correction techniques but without many specific details.Timeout does not always work. There should be some middle ground between timeout and spanking. I don't think this book covers firmer techniques. However, I'm not one for firmer correction.Some excellent advice in the book is the 10 word 10 second rule of correction - choose the right words and keep it simple before sending children to timeout. Also, give praise within ten seconds of seeing behavior you want to encourage, and give it often. Also, create a timeout room that is not the children's room and make it a boring place such as a bathroom.Overall I think the book is easy to read and offers a child friendly way of correction.

Back to basics works! I gave my first copy to a Mom that I meet after her daughter was having a tantrum in my Grandson's therapy office. I never saw the pair again, but hoping it helps her. I ordered another copy and it's helping our family. I recommend this one for sure.

I am a clinical child psychologist, in practice for 25 years. Many of my patients have lots of meltdowns, and bewilder their parents. Children have meltdowns because they are over tired, hungry, or just because they CAN. Really, what they need from loving parents is structure: set times to eat, to sleep, and rules allowing them to predict what's going to happen next. This book will teach you how to set up a predictable household where the grownups are in charge and the kids can just be the kids. Just do exactly what SOS says, and the grownups and the kids will be more relaxed and happier. What more could you ask from a book?

This book is part of a series put out on a variety of topics including mental health issues. The presentation is similar to what a "Parenting for Dummies" book might look like without making the reader feel dumb. As a Therapist, I use this series with regularity to emphasize specific problem areas with my clients and/or their parents. A good resource guide for parents of children with common behavioral issues. Too basic for more serious mental illnesses, i.e. ADHD, substance abuse, PDD, etc.

I recommend this book to the families I work with who have toddlers that seem to run over their parents or may be difficult to manage because they tantrum or throw or hit when they don't get what they want. The book is written for parents and offer simple rules to follow so parents can avoid the power struggles and teach their kids about boundaries while setting limits. If you've tried time outs for your kids and it didn't work, read this and follow the rules. It's also been translated in many other languages (including Arbaic, Spanish, and Chinese) which I think speaks for itself.

We went through a rough patch with our almost 5 year old (4 months ago) and bought this out of desperation. I forced my hubby to read it as we were not on the same page about discipline and nothing was working. Within a few days of applying the same techniques (a timer is a MUST)...our sons behavior drastically changed. We now cant beleive that he was so out of control a few short months ago. We still use the techniques we learned in this book and will continue to use them for many years to come ;-)