Customer Reviews

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

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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.

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.

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...

Dr. Sutton has taken a very stressful life situation for many parents and caregivers, and put it all down on paper in a clear, concise way that we can all understand a learn valuable information from. "If My Kid's So Nice..." is well written and straightforward in it's delivery of both clinical explanations and common sense strategies and techniques for helping both the adults and the children. As a psychotherapist and a parent, I believe this book is full of great helpful ideas to better evaluate, understand and manage difficult-child behavioral situations.

The information in this book is easily found because of the organization. Dr. Sutton also carefully defines what he is discussing in understandable language for parents and teachers. I used this book as a source for writing an assignment for my discipline and classroom management course.