Customer Reviews

The Ten Basic Principles of Good Parenting

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My wife and I are expecting our first child, and even though I've had thoughts all my life about how I would parent, I thought I would get myself a real education, so I bought a lot of books.

I feel that most books have a lot of philosophies that I can't relate to, many overly focused on how to discipline and control your children, and how to make them live up to a lot of (in my opinion) arbitrary adult standards (how to make your 3 year old do her violin practice -- I mean this as a joke, but that's how it feels). There are so many things in society trying to shorten childhood, and I believe that forcing your children to do all these "adult" things makes them do everything out of duty as adults, and not ever really want to.

I also remember very clearly what it's like to be a child, and I would have been a lot easier if adults would have simply levelled with me. But somehow, most of these books seem to bypass the whole communication aspect. Don't get me wrong, the parent is certainly the parent, and should have the authority when necessary. But arbitrary authority has had an extremely negative impact on my life, and I believe I got a little screwed up because of it.

Anyway, enough about me. But I read this book with the prejudice of it being another book that is focused more on what the parents want than what the children need and helps them blossom as mature, solid human beings.

As I read this book, I suddenly developed a deep respect for the author. I completely agree in my heart with almost everything he says, and I've seen from other parents (friends/family) who parent much like he suggests, that this is absolutely the way to go. It creates healthier, more respectful, more loving, and more fun relationships. But I also appreciate how the book both gets to the point, at the same time as it never wants you to believe what it says "just because". In effect, the amount of information and wisdom in this book could easily have been padded to an 800-page whopper, which he thankfully didn't.

If the author is reading this, I want to personally thank you for this book. Very well done.

Thank you,

Per Holm-Petersen

The 10 Basic Principles of Good Parenting is a must-read book for parents that have children from infancy through adolescence. The principles are based on scientific research, and are proven to work no matter what a child's background may be. Doctor Steinberg does an excellent job of not only explaining each of the principles, but also in giving real-life examples of how the principles should be applied. He also goes through each stage of a child's life and explains how to adjust some of the ideas to fit the psychological mindset of the child at that stage.

I found the chapters on establishing rules and limits, fostering your child's independence, being consistant, and avoiding harsh discipline to be especially helpful. I also liked Doctor Steinberg's "heads-up" on when the difficult and most trying times in a child's development would occur. These are the ages when the biggest changes occur in the brain - a "re-wiring" so-to-speak.

The 10 Basic Principles of Good Parenting is an excellent guide for raising happy children and fostering confidence in a parent. I highly recommend this book.

Finally, a book that covers it all and that rounds out the nuts and bolts type of child-rearing books like Spock and Leach. I found this book both reassuring and informative--my only regret is that it wasn't around when my kids were growing up! But I just bought 3 copies for my two grown daughters and son. Whether you're a full-time parent or working parent, this straightforward, concise guide will help you with all situations that arise in parenting and for every stage of your child's development. Essential if you want to do the best at the most important job you'll ever have (and the most rewarding!).

Finally, the book I've been waiting for! As a new parent, innundated with advice from well-meaning family and friends, it was helpful to find a book that boils parenting research down to ten basic points. As I rush around during the day, overtired and stressed out, I use these principles to guide me, and to help me remember the big picture. I'm amazed at how this book has already made a difference in my relationship with my child. If you're overwhelmed by conflicting advice, read this book knowing it's based on sound science, and not old wive's tales.

Steinberg's book brings the best of research to the everyday lives of parents. Drawing on many sources and years of research about parenting, he has created a thoroughly useful, provocative book about parent child relationships. The pages are filled with food for thought,
and practical commentary. Highly recommended.

I studied many, many programs and books on parenting for my Masters degree. By far the most pleasant surprise I found both professionally and personally was Dr. Steinberg's phenomonal book The 10 Basic Principles of Good Parenting. This book is a must have for new and seasoned parents alike. Apply these simple but easily overlooked principles to raise emotionally healthy and well adjusted children...and keep you sanity all at the same time!

This book should be read by every parent. It provides the over-arching philosophy for being the kind of parent you want to be. The principles apply to all issues (eating, sleeping, toileting, discipline, etc.) and across all ages and stages of a child's development (infants to teens).

In a class on parent-child relationships at a university, my students and I reviewed over 200 parent advice books. This is the only book that's based on research. Dr. Steinberg has pulled together his own considerable research as well as decades of other's published scholarly work involving thousands of families across many cultures. Other books we reviewed were based on the author's opinion, experience in raising their own children, or working with families in a single medical setting. Most of the other books were based on a single theory or principle of child rearing, but were not explicit in describing either the theory or the effects of that theory on both the child and the parent. Yes, I wish Dr. Steinberg would have given us a list of his references, or cited a few scholars, but, if he had done that, sadly, I'm convinced it would have been a turn-off for the readers who need this book's advice. I take him at his word that he has synthesized what the experts have learned and put it into a language that non experts can understand.

The principles are easy to apply. The examples given are helpful and varied across age groups and various situations. My job after retirement from the university is to respond to parents who call a "Parent Warmline" with questions about their everyday relationship with their child. Before returning the call, I always turn to Steinberg's book for help in developing a list of things for the caller to consider. The book never fails me and the callers think the advice is terrific - thank you, Dr. Steinberg!

There is scientific evidence about what works best in interactions with children - and it's all here in this one very readable book.

This is easily the best parenting book I've read. The advice is practical, no-nonsense, and based on real science. The author writes in a clear straightforward style and gets right to the point. My husband usually doesn't read these sorts of books, but I'm going to make him read this one!

"The Ten Basic Principles of Good Parenting" is my favorite parenting book. That's because it focuses on the essential principles (love, consistency, etc.), yet also (a) gives examples for various situations and (b) provides guidance on how these principles apply as your children get older and mature. In addition, it provides the advice within the context of your child's age, temperament, and other factors (like whether both parents work). And it's quite readable and well-written, too.

I love this book. It is straight-forward, practical advice based on scientific evidence. It also helped resolve a few parenting conflicts my huband and I had.