Confident Parents, Remarkable Kids

Confident Parents, Remarkable Kids by Bonnie Harris
8 Principles for Raising Kids You’ll Love to Live With

Every parenting book has something to teach. I don’t believe one book or one method will work for your child, each child is so different. I like the overall approach of this book, which is that you need to start from a place where you respect your child and assume that they are not trying to be difficult. You need to figure out where they are coming from. This book is anti-punishment and rewarding based parenting approaches. There are 8 principles in this method:

1. My child wants to be successful
2. Behavior is my clue
3. My child’s greatest need is acceptance
4. Expectations must be set for success
5. Connection strengthens relationship
6. Behavior I focus on grows
7. Solving, not punishment, teaches responsibility
8. Good boundaries mean good balance

This book is well organized but the tone is a bit stiff.  I think it’s very telling that the writer of the book admits that she didn’t need these principles until her 2nd child came along!