Between Parent and Child

July 1, 2003
When Between Parent and Child was first published in 1965, clinical psychologist Ginott (d. 1973) broke ground with his message that good parents are not born but made by learning communication skills. Alice Ginott, Haim's wife and a retired psychology professor, and Goddard, chair of the National Council on Family Relations, aim to update this best seller for the 21st century. The basic ideas haven't been tampered with-as the text stresses, when talking to their children, "parents should be protective of feelings, not critical of behavior." The chapters on discipline and especially sex education have been the most extensively rewritten to reflect societal changes, e.g., views on masturbation. The epilog has also been extended to address instances when children may need professional help (9/11 is mentioned). Empathic communication is nothing new, and some of Haim's diction is outdated, but the author's simple formula repeated in many and various examples helps parents understand what it really means to respect children while being authoritative. Adele Faber's How To Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk offers exercises that help parents practice Ginott's principles. Recommended for larger public libraries.-Maryse Breton, Davis Branch Lib., CA

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