Raising Kids Who Can Protect Themselves (Paperback)

by Debbie Gardner (Author), Mike Gardner (Author), Debbie Gardner (Author), Mike Gardner (Author) "Kids are scared..." (more)
Key Phrases: Flex Chart, Time Out, Courage Room (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
A dynamic program for empowering children to protect themselves

In Raising Kids Who Can Protect Themselves, Debbie and Mike Gardner share their decades of self-defense experience to show parents how to teach their children courage--the trait needed to make brave, smart, and safe choices, no matter what their age, no matter what the situation. Raising Kids Who Can Protect Themselves helps families foster courage in their children at an early age so that it becomes an inherent trait, rather than a situational need. The book features:

• Age-appropriate methods to instill courage in children without creating fear
• Courage coaching as a way to create a family defense system
• Lifesaving skills, such as quality eye contact, voice control, breathing, control of inappropriate crying, development of positive self-talk, and space awareness
• Ways to reduce children's vulnerability
• Site-specific survival strategies, from parties to the mall to sports practice

From the Back Cover

A DYNAMIC PROGRAM FOR EMPOWERING CHILDREN OF ANY AGE TO PROTECT THEMSELVES FROM HARM

In this invaluable--and possibly life-saving--book, self-defense experts, former law enforcement professionals, and parents Debbie and Mike Gardner show you how to teach your kids to protect themselves when you aren't there to take care of them. Faced with a threat or compromising situation, your children will draw upon an arsenal of action techniques they've practiced at home, techniques that will help them defend their bodies and personal space, and move to safety.

Discover everyday ways to fortify your children with the skills needed to survive a threatening situation, including:

• Age-appropriate methods for overcoming fear, reducing vulnerability, and building self-protection instincts
• Courage coaching as a way to create a "family" defense system
• Life-saving skills, such as quality eye contact, voice control, breathing, control of inappropriate crying, development of positive self-talk, and space awareness
• Site-specific survival strategies, from parties to the mall to sports practice
• Five foundations of raising self-reliant and safe kids, including courage-building activities in the home, and how to create a family "courage" vocabulary

In building a family-defense plan with your kids, you'll provide your children with the emotional strength, problem-solving skills, and self-reliance necessary to make smart, brave, and safe choices--no matter what their age, no matter what the situation.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill; 1 edition (July 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0071437983
• ISBN-13: 978-0071437981
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #638,294 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars If You Love Your Children, You Will Read Gardners' Book , October 27, 2004

By	L.C. (Cincinnati, OH) - See all my reviews

Debbie and Mike Gardner have written an absolute "must read" for parents. "Raising Kids Who Can Protect Themselves" is the best parenting book I've read in recent years. A fascinating page-turner, the Gardners' book is written in a simple-to-follow format filled from cover to cover with life-saving instruction. It doesn't matter if your children are toddlers or teens; this is a book worth much more than its purchase price. I have been recommending "Raising Kids Who Can Protect Themselves" to family, friends, neighbors and co-workers. In fact, I plan to give copies as Christmas gifts! L.C. (mother of 16-year-old daughter and 14-year-old son)

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well-rounded, encouraging, readable, December 31, 2007

By	Hjordes Norman "home educator" - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

How do you prepare a child for the danger of daily living and still raise a confident human being? You read this book. I thought I'd read everything available on self-defense for children so I was stunned to stumble across this treasure. Most books have a good tip or two in them but few are practical, and some are downright dangerous. This is the first I've found that offers a parent a complete process for raising a strong and safe child.
This book won't give you statistics or the details of predator psychology - vital information for parents - but you can read up on those separately. Meanwhile, don't skip the small stuff. There are powerful messages tucked into single paragraphs in this book. I disagree with the author in only one area - the need for long-term physical self-defense instruction - but understand his concern because of the lack of practical application to real-world scenarios in most martial arts schools. Real self-defense schools are difficult to find... so read this book! I recommend this for parents of children ages 3 to 16.

Also recommended: 'Child Lures' by Kenneth Wooden. 'Protecting the Gift' by Gavin de Becker. 'Raising Safe Kids in an Unsafe World' by Jan Wagner. "Gun-proof Your Children" by Ayoob.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A guide all parents should have, March 11, 2005

By	Scarlett (Detroit, MI USA) - See all my reviews

This book covers everything from teaching children to protect themselves from bullies, among their peers, to protecting themselves from dangerous adults. It gives specific examples and language parents can use to empower their children. It also provides techniques for teaching children in set age groups. Arming our children with courage and tools to protect themselves is a necessity. I plan to give a book to each family in my circle of loved ones.