Raising Your Spirited Child Workbook [Paperback]

Mary Sheedy Kurcinka (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 4, 1998

The Essential Companion Workbook To The National Bestseller Raising Your Spirited Child,

In this companion workbook, Mary Sheedy Kurcinka brings readers into her world-famous workshops, where she offers parents and educators insights, emotional support and proven strategies for dealing with spirited children. The key word that distinguishes spirited children from other children is "more" -- more intense, more persistent, more sensitive and more uncomfortable with change. Through exercises, observations and dialogue from actual groups, Kurcinka helps readers learn to identify the triggers that lead to tantrums and challenging behaviors. Included are

• clues to help you identify the little things that can make or break a day
• tips for profiling your child's temperament and your own
• cues that indicate intensity is rising
• successful strategies for reducing and eliminating power struggles

By combining the intuition and compassion gained from parenting a spirited child with the wisdom of an expert who has worked with thousands of families, Mary Sheedy Kurcinka helps parents and educators view their unique challenge with perseverance, flexibility, sensitivity, and, most of all, enjoyment.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The book will prove to be a real lifesaver."

-- --Louise Bates Ames, author and association director, Gessell Institute of Human

"Through excellent examples and easy-to-read text, this book provides parents with a pathway to understanding their child's temperament and to a place where parents can balance the needs of their child's unique temperament with their own needs and those of their family." -- James Cameron, Ph.D., executive director, The Preventive Ounce, Berkeley, California

About the Author

Mary Sheedy Kurcinka, M.A., is an award-winning educator in Minnesota's Early Childhood Family Education Program, and founder of the Spirited Child and Power Struggles workshops. She is the bestselling author of Sleepless in America and Kids, Parents, and Power Struggles, and she lives with her family in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks; 1 edition (March 4, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060952407
• ISBN-13: 978-0060952402
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #26,703 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

37 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My "bible" on parenting, April 19, 2002

By 

Lisa Haupt (Leesport, PA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Raising Your Spirited Child Workbook (Paperback)

I have read the book twice and continue to reference it. This book has helped me understand my 7 year old son's behavior. I first read it when he was 4. My son is very intense, sensitive, perceptive, persistent, and energetic. He cannot handle any kind of change if he is not forewarned. He notices every little detail, will argue till he is blue in the face, and cannot sit while eating at the dinner table!!
Now we are able to prevent many "blowups" because of the clues this book has taught us to look for. I even realized that I am a spirited person as well and that is why he and I were clashing w/ a lot of things unlike he and his father. I cannot praise this book enough. I will constantly refer to it and I plan on giving his wife a copy when he gets married!! Thank you Mary Sheedy Kurcinka!!

35 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Breath of fresh air, July 27, 2000

By 

Michele Belczak - See all my reviews

This review is from: Raising Your Spirited Child Workbook (Paperback)

Finally, a book that doesn't lump my son into the ADHD, "difficult", or "explosive" categories that other books do. This book helps you understand why your child is doing what he is doing, and guides you into reacting appropriately, without some fictional, unrealistic example of a happy ending. The examples she gives are real--like she already knows your child and how he will react. She also helps you to remember the good qualities of your child, so you can remind yourself that you love him (which is easily lost amid tantrums and difficult days). I haven't even finished reading it, and I am already seeing positive results, both from me and my child--no major tantrums and no screaming reactions. The workbook is also helpful.

121 of 140 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars More practical books out there, June 27, 2001

By 

Derrick R. Bell (Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Raising Your Spirited Child Workbook (Paperback)

I found the book 'Raising your Spirited Child' useful and helpful but did not find this work book very practical. It was mostly written in the setting of a class or workshop which made it ponderous to read. Although this was a very warm and personal approach it was just not very concise. I found there was too much emphasis on reasoning and adapting to the child instead of teaching the child to adapt. I realise that with spirited children a parent must be keenly aware of the childs limitations and that a little planning goes a long way in reducing stress. But I also think that a parent must be very careful not to go too far as to lower expectations and make the family child centered. You don't have to be your childs personal therapist in order to be a good parent.
This book does not cover the role of negative reinforcement which is so prevalent with spirited children who are misbehaving. Without this understanding we could not begin to address the issues affecting our own spirited child. For this I would strongly recommend any parent of a spirited child to read: "The Manipulative Child: How To Regain control and Raise Resilient, Resourceful, and Independent Kids".

This book does offer hope and encouragement which I guess we all need when struggling day to day with a demanding child. Nothing prepares a parent for dealing with a spirited child and they put every parenting assumption and technique to the ultimate test. Although my wife and I did not find this work book helpful for our situation, it does add to the first book which we found very helpful.
For our spirited child, the books "Ain't Misbehavin" by William P Garvey, and "Setting Limits" by Robert J MacKenzie, helped us the most. By teaching our child self control, it allowed the positive spirited traits to overshadow the negative ones.