Parent Talk: Words That Empower, Words That Wound [ILLUSTRATED] (Hardcover)

~ (Author) "There is power in choice..." (more)
Key Phrases: Life Sentences

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Language acquisition isn't just a toddler's job: Moorman takes parenting common sense-the notion that affirming, loving speech is crucial to a child's growth and self-esteem-to the level of a "skills-based program" of parenting language in this earnest volume. In a new introduction (Moorman originally self-published the book), he encourages parents to select a few of his "Parent Talk" phrases and practice them until they come naturally; gradually, they can move on to fluency. Parents, he says, should use language that encourages their child to make choices, learn "response-ability" (healthy responses to challenges and setbacks) and seek solutions-e.g., "How come you picked your grumpy mood?"; "So your dad says you're grounded. How did you produce that result?"; and "I know you can handle it." Some of Moorman's phrases sound extremely awkward, while some familiar ones-"You did a good job"-are verboten. (Praise that evaluates rather than describes or appreciates can make children into "praise junkies" whose sense of worth is dependent on others' compliments instead of their own confidence, Moorman warns.) It would take an extremely conscientious parent to employ all these phrases consistently, but Moorman's basic message of encouraging child empowerment and family solidarity through healthy parental communication is an important one, and many of his suggestions feel right on target.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Review

An excellent how-to book on parenting skills! Parents will embrace this book and it will spread rapidly by word of mouth. Good news travels fast. -- Margie Henzel, Publisher, Positive Parenting, Keller, TX

Being the parent of three adopted children, two with learning disabilities, I can use all the help I can get. Using the ideas from this book has helped me reduce stress and anger in my parenting. Every parent can benefit from this material. I am enjoying my children and my role as father more than ever. -- Bill Decker, Lockwood Leadership International

Everyone who touches the lives of children should read this book. It's packed with the kinds of skills parents need now! -- Joe Hasenstab, President, Performance Learning Systems, Nevada City, CA

I wish I could give a copy of Parent Talk to every parent in this school. Everyone can benefit from this book. -- Louis Dudeck, Principal, Bushnell Elementary School, Lowell, MI

My sincere appreciation to you for writing this most helpful and much needed book. You have done all the parents in this country a great service. -- Diane Hodges, PH.D., Executive Director, Austin Independent School District, Austin, TX

Practical! Practical! Practical! And you don't need a psychology degree to figure it out and put it to use. -- Tom Haller, M. Div., M.S.W., Psychotherapist, Bay City, MI

So much of what children think of themselves comes from how parents talk to them. This book gives parents the words they need to build positive character traits in their children. -- Young Jay Mulkey, Ph.D., President, Character Education Institute, San Antonio, TX

What a wonderful guide for how to talk to your children. It makes so much sense. And the best part is that it works! -- Jack Canfield, Co-Author, Chicken Soup for the Soul

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 285 pages
• Publisher: Personal Power Press (April 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0961604646
• ISBN-13: 978-0961604646
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #952,281 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Teaching a grandparent New Tricks, February 13, 1999

By	[e-mail] (Boca Raton, Fl) - See all my reviews

As a grandmother if two small grandchildren, I felt the need to further learn how to be a more respondsible grandparent. I turned to "Parent Talk", so I could learn how to encourage self-esteem, respondsible behavior, and motivate the children to be the best they could be. An interesting and unexpected benefit was that, "Parent Talk" helped me communicate more effectively in all my relationships not just with the children. If you are interested in empowering your children or grandchildren or others, "Parent Talk " is the book for you. I think it should be on every school and home book shelf.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Changed the climate in our household, August 26, 2002

By	Kasey J. McQueen "book lover" (Franklin, MI) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I saw Chick Moorman speak about Parent Talk and ultimately read the book at a time when I needed some guidance on parenting a 4 year old. I shared Chick's feelings of respect and responsibility for my son, but didn't know how to phrase these concepts "in the heat of the moment". This book taught me the way to say what I want my child to hear - that I love him and respect him and that I want to teach him to be responsible for his actions.

Each page is an example you can put into use immediately. It's common sense all good parents have been searching for.I have recommended this book to ever parent I know.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Parent Talk: How to Talk to Your Children in Language That B, January 17, 2004

By	J.G.Baker (Baytown, TX USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Parent Talk: How to Talk to Your Children in Language That Builds Self-Esteem and Encourages Responsibility (Paperback)

This is a great book! After 20 years of working with children, I thought I knew all the ways to speak to a child. But this book has given me new insight into the impact that our words have on children. It shows examples of how we inadvertently teach our children 'learned helplessness' and ways to teach them the process of making decisions, handling everyday happenings, and to make their own choices. I have also been amazed at how the advice in this book works with my teenager! So I ventured a step further and have used the advice in this book with co-workers, too, with some amazing results! It is easy to read and refer back to when necessary. Every parent should have a copy of this book handed to them when their children are born.