The Best Things Parents Do: Ideas & Insights from Real-World Parents

by Susan Isaacs Kohl

A kind of Mr. Rogers for parents of children of any age who hope to find relief and words of encouragement in the roller coaster of parenting. Parents are doing a better job than they think they are. Author Susan Kohl has been a parent watcher for more than 30 years, and she knows what parents do well. Whether you are experiencing the first steps of motherhood or fatherhood or simply looking for wise words in your child-rearing adventures, you’ll find tips on how to raise your child the best way possible. Channel your child’s energy. Kohl uses her personal experiences and includes relevant statistics, psychological truths, and proven strategies to construct positive behavior and discourage negative behavior. The Best Things Parents Do is divided into four simple yet powerful Learn the best parenting styles for raising your little ones successfully. If you enjoyed parenting books like The Danish Way of Parenting , Parenting from the Inside Out , or Simplicity Parenting , then you’ll love The Best Things Parents Do .

Genres: Parenting

164 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2004

Reviews

[Tiffany Mercer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great guidance here! I’d say it’s geared more towards parents of younger kids (not teenagers like mine), but there is never had expert parenting advice!

[JaNel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good Ideas:

-encourage effort, not results
-mistakes are a way to learn
-see behavioral problems as isolated incidents, not as a pattern of irritating behavior i.e. a character flaw, or it may become a character flaw. Always allow them to change without "I told you sos"
-validate and empathize with the feelings

Favorite quote:
"Many conflicts between adults and children turn into a standoff between two emotionally overwhelmed 5-year-olds." p. 88

[Eliece · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good, simple parenting book. I really liked the format -- all 2 page chapters that you could read in a minute or 2. I read a couple a day and then sat on the ideas they gave. It only gave me a guilt complex a couple of times! The ideas were optimistic and practical for the most part. I ignored the cheesy assignments at the end of each chapter. I love the chapter on cooperation.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nicole read the title and looked straight at me and said "buy a Wii". The book didn't include that but it was good little stories of inspiration.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of good reminders and several supportive suggestions.