Good Behaviour Book : How to Have a Better-Behaved Child from Birth to Age Ten

by Martha Sears

In THE GOOD BEHAVIOUR BOOK, Dr. William and Martha Sears, the paediatrics specialists whose books on birth, babies, and parenting have become widely praised best-sellers, provide a definitive guide to raising happy, well-adjusted, well-behaved children. Disciplining children means equipping them with the tools to succeed in life. In this unique guide, seasoned parents of eight, Bill and Martha Sears draw on personal experience and their professional knowledge as childcare experts to provide an authoritative approach to a broad range of disciplinary issues and practices. With focus on preventing behaviour problems as well as managing them when they arise, the Searses offer clear, practical advice on everything parents need to know about disciplining young children. Believing that discipline starts at birth, the Searses discuss baby discipline, disciplining the toddler, mother-father roles in modern parenting, saying no, self-esteem as the foundation of good behaviour, helping a child to express feelings, the constructive use of anger, good nutrition for good behaviour, and sleep discipline. On handling problem behaviour, the Searses cover sibling rivalry, spanking and alternatives to spanking, breaking annoying habits, and eliminating bothersome behaviours like whining and talking back. The Searses strongly advocate teaching children values like apologising and sharing, and explain how to deal with such issues as lying, stealing, and cheating. In addition, the Searses address building healthy sexuality and discipline in special situations such as after divorce and in the single-parent household.

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction, Personal Development

352 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Martha is the mother of eight children, a registered nurse, a former childbirth educator, a La Leche League leader, and a lactation consultant. Martha is the co-author of 25 parenting books and is a popular lecturer and media guest drawing on her eighteen years of breastfeeding experience with her eight children (including Stephen with Down Syndrome and Lauren, her adopted daughter). Martha speaks frequently at national parenting conferences and is noted for her advice on how to handle the most common problems facing today's mothers with their changing lifestyles. Martha is able to connect with both full-time mothers and mother who work full-time, because she herself has experienced both styles of parenting Martha takes great pride in referring to herself as a "professional mother" and one of her favorite quips when someone voices their concern about her having eight children in an already populated world is: "The world needs my children."

Reviews

[Dawn Bates · Rating 4 out of 5]

As far as parenting books go, this has to be the most helpful one I have read yet. Not just because the age range is spread across the first decade of the child's life, but in its easy to use format.

Dr Willliam Sears is a humble man. He admits to the things he has done wrong openly in the book, which for many of us, is a breath of fresh air. The other reassuring thing is he has many children, all different and many anecdotes to share with us all.

I think the best thing for me about this book is that it has shown me where I made my mistakes, told me this is normal and given me the tools to fix the future. Whether I can do that is now down to me, my children, my husband and the people I choose to allow in my life.

The information is written in a straight forward, human way, from one parent to another, with one just having a lot more knowledge and expertise in a certain field that can make a huge difference to the others life.

I have always said that if I was going to become a teacher, or a doctor, I would need to study because people's lives are in my hand. If I want to be a great teacher or doctor, I would need to keep studying. Surely the same goes for being a parent? If you wish to be a great parent, then this is one of the books I highly recommend reading, keeping and referring back to.

[Aysha · Rating 5 out of 5]

always comes in handy when we're looking for quick tips/solutions.