The Yell-Free Parent’s Guide to Disciplining an Explosive Child: No-Drama Strategies I Discovered to Discipline My Easily Frustrated Child

by Grace Cohen

Do you have fiercely inflexible children? Do you have difficulty bargaining with them just to follow you? Have you tried pleading with them just to stop their tantrums? Does your child demand too much at the most inappropriate of times? Your child might be the explosive type, the ones who burst into anger when they don’t get what they want. They may be very agreeable at times, but they can be a real pain to handle when they reach their boiling point. You might have tried bargaining, negotiating, and pleading with them to no avail. At some point, you may even have reached your own limit. 

This book will help you cope with these kinds of children. You may have arrived at the end of your wits and sought several therapists already. You may feel that your cause is impossible, but this book will show that your child has a great capacity to change. There is a better way than just making them obey you or letting them off the hook all of the time. Your children need your help more than your pleading. 

In this book, you will

The four sets of skills that will help your child become an empathic personThe 3-step approach to talk to your child without the dramaThe common parenting methods and why it doesn’t work in the long termThe different phases before the explosion and how to prevent itHow to help your child mature through a simple and systematic method of conversationThe different perspectives in dealing with these childrenBetter ways to respond to your childYou don’t need to constantly beat yourself up at how undisciplined your kids are or how timid you are as a parent. More than focusing on your weaknesses, this book will help you discover your strength as a parent. Your child depends on you to help them think better. Let this book be your guide as you tame the fire of your explosive child.

Genres: Parenting, Audiobook, Nonfiction

109 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 26, 2021

Reviews

[Lacey Brocious · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was ok. There was only one strategy shared. A short read but if you're looking for help, I would definitely put effort into another outlet.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

A basic overview, but a good reminder.

[Barbara Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This guide is intended to help parents facilitate the social-emotional growth of their children, particularly those who face physical or mental challenges.

The author stresses the need for parents to pay attention to their children and gently question the kind of experiences they encounter which may become problematic later on. By asking about the day at school, a parent can identify situations that could become red flags.

Parents can discuss differences in culture and traditions and encourage empathy toward these differences. They can identify instances of bullying and teach their children how to address them both as victim and abuser. It is important that children know passive acceptance of these situations is wrong.

Perhaps, most importantly, parents need to make their children aware of the false narratives often displayed by the media and internet sources. They must teach children to be critical thinkers who assess information and action on the basis of facts not opinions. Technology is a tool that can easily manipulate the mind and lead to permanent damage that cannot be undone. The suggested activities are a worthwhile extension of the discussions and suggestions laid out in the book.

All in all, this book is a handy reference tool for parents who want to raise children ready to copy with the rapidly changing twenty-first century.

[Clackamas · Rating 1 out of 5]

Gotta wonder how her kid's doctor feels about not getting credit for the chapters that are almost entirely her telling us about what the doctor told her. Also gotta wonder how the other parents in her parenting group feel about their stories being shared and picked apart here. Then gotta wonder how her kid feels about everyone reading this knowing all of his worst moments.

It isn't that the information or advice was terrible. It's that there was only one, poorly defined strategy, and there are so many better books, written by people who know the science, even written by people who know the science AND are parents of kids with ADHD. And most of those books aren't just quotes from and judgment of other people. I'm kind of horrified that this author has somehow managed to make a career out of this kind of book.

I was going to give this book a two star because at least it was short, but reading my thoughts on it myself, I think it's gotta be a one star.

[Brittney Vela · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nowhere in the description was it mentioned that this book was for parents of children with a diagnosed disorder, but pretty quickly into the book, she started talking about diagnoses and medication.
I knew, at that point, this book wasn't for me. However, seeing how short it was, I decided to keep reading, hoping to be able to take away a strategy or two. I, unfortunately, did not get much out of this book. I gave it 2 stars because she touched on some important things, but I am not a fan of her style of writing. She was long-winded on things that didn't matter and didn't give enough detail on actual strategies. There was nothing tangible I was able to take from this book.

Someone looking for a more informed read, with many tangible skills and strategies, may want to read "The Whole Brain Child" or "No Drama Discipline." Both excellent reads.

[Alyssa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book takes a lot of time going over doctor fears, medication fears, and her experiences with doctors and not as much time going over how to handle the explosion once it is happening. It does bring up a lot of points but it is very wishy washy about trusting the medical field.

Yes, doctors should make sure to talk to you in a way that matters but I read the book for how to help soothe and wrangle an explosive child but all it did was give 1 example scenario and I would have liked more than that. There was plenty of oh no examples but not enough positive ones to help reinforce the take away. 

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This may be more tailored for children with diagnoses such as ADHD and autism, but it was good to listen with an open mind. It's good to think about best way to communicate under conflict, even with children. Explosive children will become explosive adults and even explosive adults would benefit from the advice here. It is a little informal for my liking but I do like the personal anecdotes and sample conversations. Relatively fast read.

[Kara Waicunas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very quick read. From a parent’s perspective, not a professional’s, but it’s nice hearing from that perspective. Only one strategy is talked about in the book, but I like that she says the important thing is the process of making a compromise/decision rather than the decision itself. This is a different focus than I’ve seen in other parenting books. I do wish there were more strategies, though.

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

Author made some good points that will be helpful as a parent. A large part of the book was for a child with ADD so if your child doesn’t have ADD it may be hard to relate to the parenting skills and solutions provided. The narrator uses a similar tone as the narrator from a weight loss tv show on TLC which made it hard to listen to. (I “read” the audio book).

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked some of the pointers and the explaining of behaviors. However, I didn't really feel she gave many strategies in the book. I need something with a bit more depth to help no for me, this wasn't it.

[Víctor Iglesias · Rating 3 out of 5]

It lacks the obvious perspective of a professional.

Nevertheless its great to see parents that aknowledge their own ignorance and choose to improve themself by putting themselfs to study.

Great effort

[Chelsea Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

pretty good read

Love how this book talks about different ways to approach explosive children. It gives great examples of how to handle explosive situations and when might be the best times to talk to the child.

[Lyndsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eh. I was looking for another book with a similar title a few months back and I put it on hold. It was the wrong one and looking for Ross Green. It was short and I read it anyways. Very simple ideas. . .a quick overview, but I think there are better books I've read.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good reminder of things I know already. Some good explanations of the regions of the brain that may need further growth in an explosive child.

[Libbie George · Rating 3 out of 5]

A few good tips and reminders.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a re-read and I appreciated it so much more as my son has been struggling and we’ve been able to implement some of these strategies.