Get the Behavior You Want... Without Being the Parent You Hate!

July 7, 2014
Family doctor and parenting expert Gilboa (Teach Respect) reassures readers that everyone struggles with parenting, and provides a primer for managing and coaching well-adjusted and well-behaved children, from preschool to middle-school. Discussing over 60 parenting problems, Gilboa covers the usual topics—good manners, hygiene, chores, homework—and moves on to more complex tasks, such as the delivery of bad news, constructive praise, and the determination of “want” vs. “need.” Good behavior isn’t just expected from children; Gilboa addresses plenty of changes parents should make, including patient task delegation, and the importance of getting out of the way. Throughout, she employs topic-relevant “Ask Dr. G” call-outs to illustrate points and adds bold sub-heads that make for quick reading and concrete messaging. If the book has a major weakness, it’s that none of its many topics are covered in depth. That means her consideration of complex subjects, such as sex education, may leave some parents looking for a more thorough approach.

August 1, 2014

Family physician, mother of four, and media regular "Dr. G" gives parents realistic tips for reigning in misbehavior and running a household based on her three Rs: respect, responsibility, and resilience. Aiming to "change the conversations we are having about parenting," Gilboa suggests that we as a culture need to get off the "happiness hook." She further argues, "By giving our kids the ability to show respect for themselves and others, the responsibility inherent in a strong work ethic and the resilience to overcome hardship, we hand them the facility to find and make their own happiness for life." Within that framework, the author covers such everyday issues as good manners, money and allowances, technology, playdates and sleepovers, and much more. Many chapters end with specific advice for targeted age groups, broken down into information for the parents of toddlers; preschoolers; and children aged five to seven, eight to ten, and 11 to 12 years old. VERDICT Dr. G has a media presence that may generate patron requests, and while her advice here is nothing new, it is on target and accessible. Recommended for libraries needing an update to the discipline literature or else a solid purchase for patron demand.

Copyright 2014 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.