Here's a great guidebook for parents of children ages 6 to 16 facing a myriad of family challenges: a teen who's defiant; siblings who constantly bicker; a child having trouble in school, or parents and kids who occupy the same house but don't communicate or have fun together anymore. Common Sense Parenting® provides parents with a menu of proven techniques that will aid them in building good family relationships, preventing and correcting misbehavior, using consequences to improve behavior, teaching self-control, and staying calm.

The book shows parents how to approach discipline as positive teaching rather than punishment of their children. Encouraging children by recognizing their good behavior and teaching before problems occur are as important as correcting children's negative behavior. Parents also learn how to help children solve problems, reach goals by using charts and contracts, and practice new social skills. As each new parenting technique is introduced, the authors explain each step, provide many clear examples, and give parents an action plan for implementing it in their home.

This newly revised and updated book answers parents' commonly asked questions and offers new behavior charts and more helpful information than ever. New chapters include those offering advice on setting reasonable expectations for children, creating predictable family routines that help children feel secure as well as improve their behavior, and putting together a parenting plan using all of the techniques explained in the book.

Reviews

"Some parenting books feature long and exceptionally in-depth analysis of parenting/childrearing issues. They are huge books that, quite frankly, terrify most parents. In this 3rd Edition of Common Sense Parenting®, Boys Town Press displays that they "get it." Great for quick reference issues, the book is a real no-nonsense tome, offering pearls of wisdom to help you overcome those times when you need a little help. The fact that many parents already know many of the answers included doesn't diminish its value since the all too often our ability to think clearly flies out the window during stressful times. Having this book by your bedside is an especially good idea for those times."
-- The National Parenting Center

"What parent doesn't crave matter-of-fact advice on effective discipline, staying calm and helping his or her kids succeed? The third edition of Common Sense Parenting®: Using Your Head as Well as Your Heart to Raise School-Aged Children offers loads of sage advice on these and other classic conundrums. In this back-to-basics guide, three professional trainers from Boys Town return with timeless techniques that balance logic with unconditional love. Geared for parents with kids ages 6 to 16, tips span the ages - like "Grandma's rule," which says kids can enjoy a privilege only after they've finished a chore, and the SODAS problem-solving method. Quick Q&As wrap up each of the 18 chapters."
-- Kim Kovelle (Detroit, MI) from MetroParent Magazine

"I am a Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner practicing in a primary care pediatric setting. Much of the work I do involves meeting with parents and children who are dealing with behavioral problems as well as psychiatric disorders. I have created a parent resource library in the doctors office. The main component of that library is the Common Sense Parenting® books for both toddlers and school aged children. Parents can sign these books out and return them when they are finished. The response has been overwhelming. In the past three months I have loaned over 30 of these books to parents. When I do have a book returned (not all come back), parents have reported that they found the book extremely helpful. I am glad to have a resource available for parents that may prevent many problems for children in the future and we are proud, as a practice that we are dealing with problems at the point of access (primary care) for many people."
--Tiesha D. Johnson, MS, NPP, RN Nurse Practitioner in Psychiatry