It's Never Too Soon to Discipline: A Low-Stress Program That Shows Parents How to Teach Good Behavior that will Last a Lifetime [Paperback]

Dr. Ruth Peters (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 29, 1999 | ISBN-10: 1582380341 | ISBN-13: 978-1582380346

As a respected child psychologist and mom with more than twenty years' experience, Dr. Ruth Peters knows how quickly children-even those younger than two-can gain the upper hand in the parent-child relationship. Even in the earliest interactions with their children, parents can inadvertently encourage bad patterns of behavior and set the stage for future problems.

Dr. Peters outlines a behavior management system with clear, consistent, and fair rules that are connected to solid consequences and meaningful rewards. The book features:
* A smiley-face chart to help kids know what is expected of them
* Tips for using the system to handle socially inappropriate behavior (such as aggression, bossiness, and tantrums) and developmental issues (such as sleep problems and toilet training)
* A chapter on attention deficit disorder
* Specific advice for single parents and stepfamilies.

This parent-friendly, practical guide is the first step toward bringing order to every home.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Discipline has been given a bad rap, according to author and clinical psychologist Dr. Ruth Peters. In the purest sense, discipline means "teaching," using a combination of explanation, reasoning, and action to help children understand acceptable and unacceptable behaviors, explains Peters in It's Never Too Soon to Discipline. Too many parents equate discipline with harsh reprimands, spankings, and criticism. As a result, parents who are striving to create an intimate and child-sensitive household often shy away from disciplining children. We've all seen the upshot--resentful, out-of-control children and frustrated, overwhelmed parents.

The straightforward, "low-stress" program outlined here teaches parents how the fundamentals of discipline can be applied to every stage of development, starting with defiant 1-year-olds. For babies and toddlers, Peters recommends, the most realistic tactics are to ignore the behavior, distract the child, and change the scenery. Six-year-olds respond well to negotiation, bargaining, and clear consequences. Other chapters include "Challenging Kids" (with an excellent discussion on "How Parents Lose Control"), "Outmanipulating the Manipulator," "The Smiley Face System for Ages Three Through Six," and "Single Parents and Stepfamilies." Peters's writing style is anecdote-driven and advice-laden, which can sometimes seem formulaic. Parents who are looking for deeper conversations about guiding children's behavior may also want to read Robert Coles's The Moral Intelligence of Children: How to Raise a Moral Child. --Gail Hudson

From the Publisher

"Too many parents today behave as though they were afraid of their children. Dr. Ruth Peters helps parents find the courage to discipline, to be proactive, and to get control of their families...and to do so early, while their children are small." --Richard and Linda Eyre, authors of Teaching Your Children Values and How to Talk to Your Child About Sex

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 208 pages
• Publisher: Golden Guides from St. Martin's Press (October 29, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1582380341
• ISBN-13: 978-1582380346
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #454,669 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Awesome Read!, March 28, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: It's Never Too Soon to Discipline: A Low-Stress Program That Shows Parents How to Teach Good Behavior that will Last a Lifetime (Paperback)

This is a book that is getting a lot of attention for the older child version, but do people know about the one for ages 6 and under? Much like the other version, this book offers guidelines for young children. I have had much success and am a happier mother because of it! It is a must read for mothers of preschoolers! Don't miss out and miss the boat! Buy this book today.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I guess I'm at that stage in life, March 21, 2002

By 

Dave Walsh (new york) - See all my reviews

This review is from: It's Never Too Soon to Discipline: A Low-Stress Program That Shows Parents How to Teach Good Behavior that will Last a Lifetime (Paperback)

I bought this book because my older brother and his wife had a baby a few years back, and I wanted to know how to treat him in a way that would benefit him. I would always just spoil him, and I noticed that he would throw temper tantrums when he couldn't get what he wanted. Of course, when other people were around, the parents usually gave in to the wants of the toddler. This book educated me in how to deal with my nephew during temper tantrums (and other times when he didn't listen to his parents), and I am very excited when I see my nephew and understand how to take care of him in a way that benefits him the best.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Only has standard information, March 15, 2006

By 

Grass Tiger (Wadsworth, IL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: It's Never Too Soon to Discipline: A Low-Stress Program That Shows Parents How to Teach Good Behavior that will Last a Lifetime (Paperback)

If you have read other books about discipline this one will bring nothing new to you. I ordered it because with a title like this I thought perhaps it would give some information that I could use for my baby so we can try to curtail things early on, but the advice it gave for the first year was to simply push their hand away from what they shouldn't do and distract them. Hmmm...my baby is a little advanced for that not to mention it was quite obvious. I quickly read over the rest of the book and set it aside. It has nothing new.

Here are some examples of what you will find:
Page 34: Cardinal Rules for Parenting
1. Be consistant.
2. Take a cool, calm, and almost nonchalant attitude when giving out consequenses.
Her negative consequenses include:
1. taking away
2. time-out
3. Setting (in which she actually discusses the time a child should be in time out)
4. keeping the child in time-out
5. use of the timer
I don't think that section was titled properly.
She deals with types of parenting styles, types of children, her view of behavior management, her smilely face system for ages 3-6, sleep problems, meal time wars, and potty training. Then gives advice for dealing with specific types of inappropriate behavior and children with ADD/AHDD (only 10 pages for that) and some ideas for single parents.

The only real definite plus was that I really enjoyed quizzes that she gives quite often to see if a particular topic applies to you. They were quite fun.

Really, she just runs throught major issues and, I think, states the obvious. If you haven't read about disciplining (teaching not just punishing) children this is a standard book. I didn't see anything objectionable in it. But if you've read and read and are looking for something insightful look elsewhere.

I give it three starts since it isn't bad advice, just nothing truly original.

I'd recommend "The Blessing of the Skinned Knee" or "To Kindle a Soul".