If My Kid's So Nice... Why's He Driving Me Crazy?: Straight Talk About the "Good Kid" Disorder [Hardcover]

James D. Sutton (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review

Recognize and understand the roots of fifteen defiant behavior patterns, avoid 'lose-lose' situations fostered by inappropriate adult reactions, and stimulate a child's inclination to obey through a title written by an educator and psychologist who has studied oppositional behavior since the mid-1970s. Solutions to specific problems are presented as easily-applied formulas backed with case history scenarios. -- Midwest Book Review

Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Friendly Oaks Pubns (February 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1878878530
• ISBN-13: 978-1878878533
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,306,966 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very helpful indeed, May 9, 2000

By 

Robin Sedgwick (San Antonio, Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: If My Kid's So Nice... Why's He Driving Me Crazy?: Straight Talk About the "Good Kid" Disorder (Hardcover)

This is not another ho-hum book on behavior modification. Infact, Dr. Sutton believes (as does Dr. Ross Greene) that behavior modification can sometimes make this kid WORSE. Check out the "No-lutions" in the fifth chapter; they are eye-openers. Having tutored high school math for a number of years, I am in complete agreement with his perspective of "Good Kid" Disorder. Indeed, the number of good and decent kids who are simply shutting down seems to be climbing. This book not only offers insight into the problem, but shares tangible interventions that address the issues that really matter the most--relationships.

For the person considering buying this book, be aware that the largest chapter addresses school issues. This is a big plus. Having been a classroom teacher, Dr. Sutton is one of the few psychologists who really understands the scope and impact of oppositional and defiant behavior at school. The strategies he outlines for school compliance are among the standout features of this book. These strategies and interventions are even more expanded in Dr.Sutton's follow-up book, "101 Ways to Make Your Classroom Special". I believe the two books compliment one another nicely.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dr Sutton gives us insight to the mind of The ODD child, February 13, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: If My Kid's So Nice... Why's He Driving Me Crazy?: Straight Talk About the "Good Kid" Disorder (Hardcover)

Dr. Suttons book is a little diffrent from the avrage book on this subject. He goes deep into the inner working of these kids minds and trys to tell us how we can not only change the behaviors but keep the or rebuild the relationship with these children. It is a great book for mildly oppositional childrens parents or care givers and it is a good book for parents with severe oppositional children. He has done a very good job explaining the disorder *the ODD monster* He has been very nice to return letter to those of us who wrote to him.

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars A terrible disappointment, April 11, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: If My Kid's So Nice... Why's He Driving Me Crazy?: Straight Talk About the "Good Kid" Disorder (Hardcover)

As the parent of an "oppositional" son, I'd looked forward to reading this after seeing synopses on Dr. Sutton's website. Unfortunately, the "straight talk" was almost no help at all. At one point, the author claims ODD sufferers may have the lowest recovery rate of all childhood psychiatric disorders. If the therapists who treat them have no clearer understanding than the author, I would not be surprised.

I believe a major problem with the book is that it did not go through the editing process of a major publishing house. It was published in Pleasanton, TX, where the author happens to reside--and the book's layout is designed to stretch the manuscript to fill space...