Raising Lions: The Art of Compassionate Discipline, 2nd Edition

by Joe Newman

The second edition of Joe Newman’s acclaimed book Raising Lions is an essential guide for parents and teachers raising strong-willed, precocious children. It offers clear insights into what motivates the most challenging behaviors, and what kinds of responses turn these behaviors around.

“One of the best books on child-rearing I’ve ever read. Joe Newman describes a cultural shift that has reinforced anxiety and behavior disorders in children by negating parental authority. Even more important, he provides specific, non-punitive ways for parents to help their kids by taking back their authority. Filled with examples and experiences from the author’s own life as a child with A.D.H.D., the book is a treasure-trove of useful information.”
Barry Michels, psychotherapist and New York Times bestselling author of The Tools.

“This book is packed with useful information. It is an insightful and practical guide for managing children. I would recommend it to any parent.”
L. Alan Sroufe, Professor Emeritus Ph.D. University of Minnesota

Current childrearing techniques seek to develop children who are confident, self-assured, and unafraid to speak their minds-lions instead of lambs. Although largely positive, this shift has brought with it some very serious problems in our children's behavior. Without going back to an authoritarian model, Joe Newman has developed new ways of helping children develop the ability to self-regulate without undermining their confidence and individuality.

Raising Lions challenges us to re-examine our interactions and relationships with children, re-think the root causes of behavior problems and find new ways to support healthy, happy development.

For over 30 years Joe Newman has worked with children, parents, teachers, and administrators to help them understand and improve child behavior.

Genres: Parenting

258 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 8, 2022

Reviews

[Lorraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Use action responses in 99% of situations and stop telling children what they did wrong. The hesitancy people have with giving consequences is that they don’t want to be unfair and they don’t want to pass judgment. But if you learn how to give effective consequences, neither of these should ever be a problem."

This book has been on my "to-read" for awhile now. I have a very willful 4 year old with so.much.energy. I feel like we used some techniques in this book (like holding boundaries) but were missing some things when it came to acting out. "Taking a break" is working extremely well for him when he's feeling dysregulated and overstimulated. I like being able to maintain my respectful communication with him while still holding an effective boundary.

4 stars only because I feel like this could have been laid out for parents in a way that was easier to understand/implement.

[Katelyn Tarantino · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book and only took me 2 days to read. I think it’s more applicable to parents than school professionals, but still really insightful and full of practical tips for managing behaviors.

[Ashley Marsden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably the most clear and effective parenting book I’ve read, especially as a mama to strong willed kiddos.

[Deni · Rating 5 out of 5]

I typically want to throw parenting books suggested to me across the room. I've worked with kids basically my whole life, but one of my own is so hard and I struggled so much with discipline never working. I was hesitant to read another book, but a trusted friend suggested it and I'm so grateful I listened. I read it and constantly felt...Joe truly understands kids like mine. The techniques are simple, but effective, and I finally understand why my child feels and thinks the way they do and how my responses and actions were causing us to constantly spiral into battle. I wish I'd read this years ago but so grateful to have the knowledge now. It's already proven helpful in my home and I've shared with many people.

If you're feeling hopeless, worn out, and like you've tried everything under the sun but no discipline is helping your child or you to communicate effectively and make progress...this book is for you! Get it in a hard copy so you can highlight, but the audio is so helpful to listen to and even hear his tone when explaining these things!

[A · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m glad I read this book just as my twins are about to turn two.

I really liked the book’s approach to discipline. To me, this kind of parenting requires the same two things that worked for us during sleep training: being firm and being consistent. Learning about an approach that feels natural, empowers kids, and especially removes a lot of emotion from the process really resonated with me.

Verbal jujitsu and offering options that still dignify the child were two ideas I hadn’t thought about in the way the book explains them. There are a few things we’ll adapt or do differently, but overall I’m very thankful for the guidance and perspective. This book really opened my eyes to a different way of thinking about discipline and conflict.

Cons: the structure of the book. If I hadn’t been so interested in the topic, this probably would have been a DNF. I also had a bit of a love hate relationship with the abundance of examples.

[Travis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Game changer. I accidentally found this book 2 weeks ago and blasted through it. I’ve implemented a few of the techniques with my boys, aged 2 and 5 and the impact was nearly immediate. Tantrums have dwindled, bedtime is easier and they simply get along better. He teaches smaller actions rather than larger disciplines and really jived with me. I haven’t felt a need to raise my voice in a week. Thanks Joe.

[Keith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful for parenting especially as it practically lays out how to implement boundaries in the home in a consistent way. Was recommended by the co-author of Dr. Phil Stutz's stuff (of Jonah Hill's Netflix doc fame). Not Christian but oozing with common grace. Would be very helpful for schools if they had the stomach for it.

[Samantha Sherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Insightful

This book really brings insight into how each stage of development affects a child and their actions. It has given me great ideas on how to parent my strong willed toddler.

[Janae Merrill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. Want to read again and highlight

[Sam Alexander · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this. I highly recommend for teachers and parents of gen alpha. Especially those with kids who are strong willed

[Isabel Ch · Rating 2 out of 5]

His approach is not my cup of tea

[Kendra Wierzba · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for parents of young children, teachers, or anyone else who works with kids!

[Julie]

Logical suggestions for parents and teachers

This book offers a wealth of useful information that will benefit adults and children alike. It's about being curious, patient and always quietly consistent. It is so easy to get discipline wrong, with the best intentions and this book shows a path for kind containment for our children. I enjoyed it immensely.

[Tiffany · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book could have comprehensively communicated in no more than 25 pages. Instead, it belaboursthe following two very simple points:
1. Children are more intelligent and capable, and their behaviour is more socially sensible, than the average parent today is giving them credit for.
2. The best child rearing method should be founded on that children can, or readily can, understand their own and others' behaviour.

This author is either ridiculously hypocritical, or incredibly condescending himself in thinking the average parent or adult is an idiot. This book was super annoying to read and I recommend it.to no one.

Personally, I also find the premises incredibly narrow minded, buy that's just my thinking.

[Paige Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very easy read with concrete examples and actionable changes that can be made at home. My husband and I have seen immediate improvement of behaviors after following some of the authors suggestions. I really resonate with disciplining without making the child lose their dignity and that the parent is more of a “coach” than an authoritarian. We are just wanting to teach them that their choices have an outcome and we hold that boundary. Will definitely refer back to this for future issues that come up.