Relational Parenting [Hardcover]

Ross Campbell M.D. (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 2000

Do you have the nagging feeling that the parenting method you've been using just isn't working?

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

You Can Raise Good Kids in a Troubled World!

It takes more than discipline to raise good kids. It takes a whole different approach to parenting. This is a book that could revolutionize the way you interact with your children. It's a book for everyone who has a nagging feeling that the approach to parenting they've been using for years just isn't working. It's also a book for parents of young children - parents who hope to avoid some of the problems they see in other families.

Ross Campbell, a loved and long-respected psychiatrist whose books have been read by millions, contends that parenting is about something much bigger than just behavior control. Parenting is about helping your child to eventually take responsibility for his or her own behavior. It is a long-range approach to parenting which recognizes that children are intricate personalities - and that your reaction to specific behaviors will profoundly affect your child's self-concept, relationships, and even their eternal soul. This is a book about parenting that anticipates, not just reacts.

With warm wisdom and insightful stories, Dr. Campbell addresses the four foundations of effective parenting: -Meeting the emotional and nuturance needs of your child -Giving loving training and discipline to your child -Providing physical and emotional protection to your child -Teaching and modeling anger management to your child

If you're looking to become a more relational, proactive parent, here is a book that will show you how. You - and your child - will be grateful.

About the Author

Ross Campbell, M.D is the author of the bestselling book How to Really Love Your Child, which has sold more than one million copies. An associate professor of pediatrics and psychiatry at the University of Tennessee College of Medicine, Ross conducts seminars on parent-child relationships. His other titles include The Five Love Languages of Children, Parenting Your Adult Child, How to Really Love Your Teenager, Kids in Danger, and Getting a Clue in a Clueless World.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 191 pages
• Publisher: Moody Press (January 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802463932
• ISBN-13: 978-0802463937
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 0.9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #477,085 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Terrific reading for Christian parents., March 4, 2000

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Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Relational Parenting (Hardcover)

In Relational Parenting, Dr. Ross Campbell teaches Christian parents how to build relationships with their children by anticipating the child's needs, rather than merely reacting to the child's behavior. Dr. Campbell asserts that the underpinning of a genuinely meaningful relationship with a child is unconditional love. Only this will nurture the child emotionally and spiritually. It is also essential for the Christian parent to understand that discipline is not synonymous with punishment. A parent's consistent expression of love must adapt to the age and developing personality of the child, and consists of meeting their emotional and nurturance needs, giving them loving training and discipline, providing physical and emotional protection, teaching and modeling anger management. Relational Parenting offers a common sense alternative to the traditional behavior modification approach of secular parenting. Relational Parenting is highly recommended reading for all who are anticipating or newly experiencing parenthood.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Will Transform the Way You Relate to your Child, March 7, 2009

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A. Miller (CA, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Relational Parenting (Hardcover)

This is the fourth book I've read by Dr.Campbell, and each of his books repeat the same concepts, but with variations in word-use, and differences in focus. Regardless, I like the fact that each book reinterates the same, doable, logical and recallable points that I was able to apply immediately. My goal is to be so familiar w/ Dr. C's techniques that it flows out of me naturally, that it becomes a part of me.

Since starting his books, including this one, I've been able to manage my anger during tense, frustrating moments, I've been able to identify my children's needs more objectively and act accordingly. I've searched for opportunities to give my children what they inherently need before they start "acting up." The peace and pattern of our home since then has been dramatic.

In a nutshell, this book discusses HOW to fill a child's emotional tank since the majority of bad behavior stems from an empty tank. That entails positive eye contact, physical touch and focused attention. Then he stresses that discipline is not punishment but training. And you can train by example, role modeling, verbal instruction, written requests, teaching, and during play. He discussed how adults are to respond to misbehavior. That is, by asking yourself what does my child need? Is his emotional tank low? Is he okay physically (not ill or tired)? Then you can decide if child is truly misbehaving, which he calls defiance. He defined true misbehavior as being out of control, being defiant and challenging parental authority, all of which is not to be tolerated. Then he went on to explain the various ways of controlling behavior, the best and first method to attempt is to make a request (can you please clean that up?), then commands, then gental physical manipulation (leading toddler away from the fire), then punishment, and lastly behavioral modification. He urges parents to be proactive rather than reactive. To explain your reasonings to your children, as well as the sequence of your thought processes so they can relate to you better and learn as well. He also went into dealing with your child's anger, and to see it as an opportunity to train, and not to get reactively angry back at your child.

There's so much more in the book, but those were some of the points I've outlined in the back of the book for quick reference as a refresher. I wish that all would-be parents and already parents would read this book. When I look at my past mistakes that could have been avoided, and opportunities lost where I could have used as training moments, I wished that I had read the book before.

Awesome book. A must read, for the sake of your children.

5.0 out of 5 stars put Dobson in the give-away bin, this is real parenting, January 20, 2012

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Philip Calendine "insight4u" (USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Relational Parenting (Hardcover)

Amazingly summarizes how God would do it! Or rather I should say, how he does it...that is how He relates to us and how we respond. I fully believe anyone who says that they are a follower of Christ and His example will be able to embrace this book, it's principles and see amazing results. Now, remember that Christ warns us "in this world there will be troubles"...but he also promises in John 10:10 "life and life to the full." This book has truths that can help any parent learn to love and cherish their children (instead of tolerating them), put the battles behind us that are so often completely unnecessary, and live out Christ's promises to a world that so desperately wants what He offers.