This book has great advice in how to deal with those 'snarky' remarks that kids make, without making a hostile enviorment at home.
It is hard to implement the steps that the author recommends only becuase kids are quick to turn around, beg and whine and also they know how to push your buttons. But I would recommend this book because everything they talk about, examples they give I have seen and they explain how to deal with it all.
Although I don't agree with how they deal with adult children, hey, if they are talking to you that way at that age, you have allowed it! Just to turn around on a dime and put their things out the door and change their bedroom I think is harsh and not warrented unless you have given a warning.
It is an easy read and I do recommend it for parents/adults who are having problems with the younger set. ( )

While the sections on teenagers and younger children are obvious this book proceeds into the college years. During these years the child on the verge of adulthood starts questioning the values and education of the parent. The college age section may be the best

To the owner of the book, and you know who you are. Maybe you should hang on to this for a bit longer. Easier to enforce after the college years when you can say...NO to the car keys, NO to that extra five for Mcdonalds, and the really great one...Move out. The illustration the author gives is put the offending kid's stuff in the lawn and move your office in his/her room.

It even goes on to ideas for the adult child post education.

Hey, I am even thinking about usinjg this for some other "adult children" I know.

And no, for the moment I am resisting adding this to Facebook ( )

I found this book very helpful and informative within it's limited focus.

The system in this book reminds me of how friends of mine discipline their children which I much admire. It is simple and easy to implement: recognize, choose consequence, enact, and disengage. The book has chapters for dealing with other adults who don't support your methods, and using the system on college age and adult children. Actually you can use this system on anyone, it is a system based on behaving respectfully and withdrawing support from disrespectful people.

There are a few minor problems I have with the book. They spend too much time criticizing "progressive parenting" and "the media". I would rather they just explained their method. The only problem I have with their method is that I'm susceptible to the "just give me another chance" and "guilt" arguments from children, which must be resisted. Also they point out that children do this to feel powerful, and I sympathize with children feeling powerless. I'm in favor of empowering children. But they make a good argument children are better off in life if they are taught how to behave properly.

I wish they spent more time on not "rubbing it in". Discipline is about the consequences of actions, not punishment. Lording your power over your children makes discipline into a power struggle and takes away any good that might have resulted. That only comes up once, in the last chapter. And I wish they spent more time discussing positive ways to help children find significance and a sense of belonging within the family, but that is probably outside the scope of this text.

I give it 4 out of 5 stars for good practical advice clearly explained. 1 star off for spending too much time criticizing the competition. ( )