The Brat Stops Here!: 5 Weeks (or Less) to No More Tantrums, Arguing, or Bad Behavior [Paperback]

Mary-Elaine Jacobsen Psy.P. L.P. (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 24, 2006

In her private practice, Mary-Elaine Jacobsen worked with thousands of parents to help them with their defiant, obnoxious, and challenging children. By following her program parents have seen their children's arguing, tantrums, and disobedience come to an end.

In THE BRAT STOPS HERE, Dr. Jacobsen comprehensively outlines her program for giving parents the essential tools they need to set limits and expectations and follow through with their kids when they cross the line. The key to Dr. Jacobsen's program is the Privileges On/Privileges Off approach. When a child does not comply with the rules of the house (which are carefully explained to the child in an age appropriate manner), he or she loses all privileges and must earn them back by apologizing, acknowledging what they would do differently, doing what was asked of them in the first place, and performing an additional chore. Following this approach consistently over the course of five weeks will have a dramatic effect on the household--including reducing tension in the interaction between parents and children, developing skills that will help children get along better at home and at school, and laying the foundation for children to become self-sufficient, responsible adults.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Through her unique program, psychologist Mary-Elaine Jacobsen has helped numerous families transform their children's behavior and now she can help yours. Her approach centers on the concept of Privileges On/Privileges Off. If a child mis-behaves, they can no longer enjoy any of their favorite activities until they make amends.
Dr. Jacobson walks you through, step-by-step, what you can do to transform your six to twelve-year old's behavior. Each step is comprehensively explained with age-appropriate tips so that all the children in a family can understand what is expected of them.
The Brat Stops Here guides you through:
-Identifying the desired behavior you are seeking
-Explaining to your child what is expected and the consequences of mis-behavior
-Taking away all privileges when your child crosses the line
-Having your child earn back privileges by apologizing for and correcting behavior

This practical and effective system can put an end to tantrums, arguing, and defiance. In a short time you can have children who listen, can take "no" for an answer, and do as they are told. Calm can be restored to the family home, parents and kids will get along better, and kids will be well on their way to becoming self-sufficient and responsible.

About the Author

Dr. Mary-Elaine Jacobsen is the former Chief Psychologist for the Amherst Wilder Foundation, a highly-regarded organization with programs for behavior-disordered children, therapeutic foster care, home and school counseling, and child psychiatry. A recognized leader in child guidance and developmental psychology, Dr. Jacobsen is the author of The Gifted Adult and she has been published in, and interviewed for, many professional journals and periodicals. She is Assistant Professor of Psychology at Salem College in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Visit her website at www.bratstopshere.com.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin; First Edition edition (January 24, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312342799
• ISBN-13: 978-0312342791
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #894,530 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Empowering, Inspiring, Real --- Practical Advice For Empowering Today's Parents!, February 25, 2006

By 

S. R. Bradley "Parent and Grandparent" (California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Brat Stops Here!: 5 Weeks (or Less) to No More Tantrums, Arguing, or Bad Behavior (Paperback)

This gem is well written and includes practical and action-oriented plans for restoring balance to family life. While other books try to explain theory and behavior, this book focuses on parenting actions and reminds us that our job as parents is to raise our children to become healthy functioning adults. The book makes it easy to see how certain unmanaged behaviors, when allowed to continue, develop into habits and then permanent personality traits. And these personality traits contribute to tomorrow's social problems, distressful workplaces, and dysfunctional families. In clear and simple terms, Dr. Jacobsen explains where to focus our time and attention, how to redirect our child's behavior, and when to make these changes in our parenting behaviors.

This book will help those who feel pressured to give their children every advantage but have forgotten their primary job as parents: to support our children in becoming respectful, caring and responsible adults. The book outlines a step-by-step plan and reminds us of the basics that can be easily lost in our busy lives. With this renewed perspective on your parenting responsibilities, you will no longer be confused between rights and privileges.

The Brat Stops Here! empowers parents with a program that makes sense, restores honor to family life, and most importantly, maintains the dignity of our children.