Parenting Without Punishment: Making Problem Behavior Work for You
Parenting shelves typically contain dozens of books offering endless techniques for behavior modification. This book may be the one that will help parents sort out the worthwhile from the drivel. Maag (Univ. of Nebraska) offers a strict and compassionate approach to behavior, arguing that punishment per se is almost never effective. The trouble is that we expect the good and punish the bad, which only leads to confrontation. Maag deals with how to use reinforcers, star charts, time outs, and contracts, concluding that self-monitoring by kids leads to self-control. Finally, he looks at ADD and depression as behavior problems that parents can deal with rather than as psychiatric labels attached to kids. Maag brings years of working with exasperated parents to his work. Refreshingly full of common sense and well worth reading.?Linda Beck, Indian Valley P.L., Telford, Pa.Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.