Customer Reviews

Love and Logic Magic for Early Childhood: Practical Parenting from Birth to Six Years

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Are you a parent of a child six years or younger? Do you find that Calgon can't take you quite far enough away from parenting woes? Have you shed tears over behavior exhibited by your angel-turned-hellion? If so, this book is for you.

Having personally shed tears over my two-year-old daughter's colorful displays of strong will, I picked up this book that I've had since before she was born. Being that she was such a wonderful baby, I naively figured we'd skate through the "terrible twos" and that they wouldn't be terrible at all. While I wouldn't globally say that from 18 months until now has been terrible, it's been more challenging.

That's where logic comes in. This book is particularly helpful to those of us who don't tend to operate logically but react emotionally. It offers practical steps that when employed as recommended really work. The authors say that it's never too late or too early to start putting into practice the techniques.

The book impresses the value of children experiencing the natural consequences of their actions (logic). Simultaneously, the authors encourage parents many times throughout the book to empathize with their children prior to disciplining (love). For example, Stella throws her food at lunch. Mom says, "That's so sad. Lunch is over now." Mom maintains her composure, puts an end to the behavior without lecturing and multiple warnings, and the child bears an immediate consequence for the behavior.

According to the authors, children love to make choices so give them plenty. These choices, however, should be ones that make you happy and don't bother "anyone else on the planet." For example, Dad asks, "Would you like milk or juice for lunch? Or would you like to go to bed now or in five minutes?" Whatever the child decides, having soda for lunch is not an option. Likewise, not going to bed is not an option.

The approach presented in the book may sound lightweight to some but actually is quite strict and gives children effective boundaries. The ultimate goal of using the Love and Logic techniques: raise responsible children that respect authority, have a positive self-concept, and who are able to make wise independent decisions now and throughout life.

When I started trying the "experiments" outlined in the book, I witnessed immediate results with our daughter. Being the type that needs things spelled out for me, the specific steps accompanied by numerous examples in the book helped me grasp the principles easily. The book has also helped me breathe easier. After feeling distraught and certain we were failing miserably as parents, I now feel renewed by a sense of joy and hope. Yes, the book has that much power.

The challenge now is to be quicker on my feet with good choices. My husband and I have said some of the most ridiculous things in an effort to give our daughter choices we'll be happy with. It's good comic relief for otherwise tense and frustrating moments.

Note: About halfway through the book, the authors offer a three-step suggestion for disciplining children three and younger (when reasoning is more difficult). Also, I have yet to do so, but it would probably be helpful to read the original Parenting With Love and Logic book as it explains the love and logic principles.

THANK YOU TO THE AUTHORS FOR WRITING THIS BOOK!! YOU'VE TRANSFORMED THE TERROR OF TODDLERHOOD. YOU'VE ALSO PROMPTED ME TO HAVE FUN AND LIGHTEN UP. IF MY DAUGHTER COULD TELL YOU HERSELF, SHE'D SAY THANK YOU FOR HELPING MOM NOT BE SO UPTIGHT.

I saw Jim Fay in person at a parenting lecture and he was fabulous! He is warm, witty, and wise--as are his books. There are so many tips to chose from and we pick what seems right for us and each of our kids at the moment. Sometimes we found what works with one child is all wrong for his sister. Parenting with "love and logic" has relieved much of the daily stress and anger in our family. We seem to communicate in ways that result in more cooperation from my kids. I am so glad Jim has now written a book exclusively for the very challenging early years. Even the best parent with a preschooler occasionally wonders, "Who's really in charge here anyway?" I feel so incompetent sometimes...I appreciate the easy access organization of this book that enables me to get some quick advice along with some welcome reassurance that I'm not the only parent who has these problems. I recently found another "little" book that has hundreds of helpful tips and noticed that Jim Fay is quoted in it. "The Pocket Parent" is not written in paragraphs, but rather short bullets of friendly practical information organized into an A-Z format. It's so great to be able to quickly look up a troublesome behavior such as: biting, bedtime and mealtime refusals, lying, whining, tantrums, and "I hate you's," -- immediately finding some sensible ideas to try. The philosophies of both these books are very similar. Both books offer alternatives to yelling, bribing, threatening, critizing, and nagging that aren't working anyway! If you have a pre-schooler (2, 3, 4, or 5 years old) that is testing your sanity, I highly recommend "Love and Logic Magic for Early Childhood" and "The Pocket Parent." Both books are helpful, humorous and worth keeping handy for when you need some quick advice or just some empathy on one of those really bad days when you think you are about to lose your mind!

I was very disappointed after reading this book and felt obligated to write a negative review since there are alreay so many other great reviews out here. I first read the borrowed book "Parenting with love and logic, teaching children responsibilities" by Jim Fay and Foster Cline, which was first published in 1990 and now is in 10th edition. I loved that book, therefore I searched in Amazon.com, wanting to buy one for myself. I then came across this one. Since I have two kids under the age of 2, I thought this book might be more suitable on offering techniques specific for younger children, so I ordered one.
After finishing the entire book, I felt I wasted my money. It failed my expectation totally. Why?
1. This book offers nothing new, with much less content compared to its 'parent' book, the one I mentioned by Jim and Foster.
2. It's poorly designed and laid out in content. If you select any three pages from the entire book and read them, you will find the content of each page exactly talks about the same thing. Basically, you will find the author repeating the same words again and again, not necessarily for the purpose of emphasizing. It's simply very boring and repetitive. I would say that the intention of such repetition was for increasing its word count, but that would be too mean.
3. Don't be fooled, Jim Fay is NOT the first author, his son Charles is.
4. This is another typical money making driven scheme to profit off the successful original -- After making a great one, having a bunch of not so good, or even [bad] ones following in the same series.
5. If you still want to choose from "Love and Logic" series, get the original one I mentioned earlier. That's all you need ,and I personally don't think you need to buy any other one in this series.

I am a former elementary school teacher and I am now a therapist and parent coach who is also parent of a spirited four year old (who keeps me current in my work). I've found the Love and Logic philosophy to be among the most sound, practical parenting advice I've come across in the field. This book in particular is superb. It is fun reading that can change your life as a parent. What I like best about it is the way that it's organized so you can find memorable, concise and pertinent ideas, even when you only have a few moments to skim. Love and Logic Magic is also a useful reference. This is an excellent book for helping to create a warm, loving relationship with your child that sets him/her on the path to responsibility and success, and at the same time makes your life a bit easier right away. I recommend it often in my work for its balanced approach and I've purchased several copies for friends and family!

I'm a counselor--and have worked with several children and teens on an individual therapy basis as well as in family therapy. I'm also a parent of an almost 4yr old. My take: this book is a must have for parents parenting young children. I agree with the negative review that states that this book is about repeating itself and that it does parrot some of the same ideas as the original---(which if you're already a love and logic parent can be overkill); however, if you're a helicopter or drill sergeant--then repetition is exactly what you need to get it internalized.
The book is full of examples--which are valuable in showing how the techniques can be impletemented in real life with real children. The original is a great resource--however--the specialized books(teens, early childhood, etc) target some age specific issues and demonstrate how to utilize the love and logic approach in ways that are developmentally appropriate.

I really love this book because it's geared towards kids from birth to age six. I've read the "Parenting with Love & Logic" book but it's for older children. I like how this one discusses what to do with a crying baby, through potty-training and beyond up to about age six. It's never too early to start parenting with love and logic.

We used to have up to 10 time-outs per day with our 3 1/2 year old son. We also have a 1 year old son who can provoke some of the bad behavior of his older brother. However, once we started using the "Uh Oh Song" with our older son our whole relationship changed! We went from 10 time-outs per day, stress between us, me yelling, etc. to a really loving and respectful relationship and no more time-outs! It was amazing and fast! We don't do time-outs any more and only an occaisional "Uh Oh Song". I don't yell anymore (for the most part) and we have a really sweet and respectful relationship.

We also give him lots of choices which makes him feel so important and like he has some control over his life. That has helped a lot too. We've been applying many of the techniques in this book for six months now and everything is still "hunky dory" compared to what it used to be.

LOVE AND LOGIC REALLY WORKS! And this books give plenty of examples to help anyone find solutions to their CHALLENGES with their children.

We have a 6 year old and a 4 year old with very different personalities, and of the 50 -60 books we've read, this book has helped us the most. We wish we had read this 6 years ago....... This will make your life a lot easier.......

I completely disagree with the reviewer who asserted that the authors of the early childhood book were condemning the parent-child bond. To the contrary, that relationship is key to the successful implementation of love & logic. What the authors do assert is that it is not the parents job to solve their childrens problems, rather, they act as consultants and guides, providing opportunities for children to make safe mistakes and good choices, and letting their children bear the burden of their consequences while keeping the loving relationship intact.

This book transformed the way I dealt with my son's former outbursts! It teaches simple yet priceless techniques for handling the toddler years and beyond. I was amazed at the difference it has made. I noticed results with my son in less than two days! I was so excited about the way it works, I am reading it all over again and recommend it to everyone I know who has children! You can always learn more about child rearing! And this book proves it!

This has been the most valuable and useful book we've read - and we've read many, many parenting books thus far. Very compassionate approach to teaching and discipline for the young child. I totally disagree with the reviewer who said that this book is not for those seeking an attached relationship - Jim Fay specifically addresses the attached relationship a child needs to feel trust and confidence in the world. I have to wonder if we were reading the same book! And as for the reviewer who feels that this book offers nothing new from the original "Parenting With Love & Logic", I couldn't disagree more. I read the original a couple of times and was always left wanting for specific discussion and examples to address the young child...and I got it with this book! Worth every penny - apply these techniques accurately and consistently and you will be a much happier and more effective parent!