Recommendation on Discipline/Strong-Willed Books

I highly recommend the Love and Logic series. I used their books for educators when I was a full-time teacher and was very impressed. I then recommended their parenting materials to all my new mommy friends, and just about all of them love these books. Their book "Love and Logic Magic for Early Childhood" is very user-friendly, clear to understand, and has great examples to follow. Their website is http://www.loveandlogic.com/ (If you decide to buy any of their books though, they are typically $10 cheaper on Amazon).

Good luck with whatever you do!

The philosophy I love and wish I could spend more time practicing is called "Love and Logic" - they have LOTS of books for kids & situations of all ages. Their stuff is just common sense stuff that works if you are able to implement it on a repetative basis (that is the hard part for me!) View their website, loveandlogic.com, or see if you can rent one of their videos from the library - they have done several specials for like PBS or something. Another good one I am in the process of reading is "Raising your Spririted Child", which seems to have lots of good information as well. Can you tell I have a spririted child as well?? Good luck with your twinkies!!

I would stay away from the Dobson.

I liked 1-2-3 Magic for the 3-4 year old range. I don't think it would work for 16 months, but I guess it depends on the child.

I also liked The Spirited Child, which I see some other people recommended. Also, "Raising a Thinking Child," by Myrna Shure. And "Positive Discipline - the first three years" by Jane Nelson.

I have three books that I would recommend,

"Raising Your Spirited Child" by Mary Sheedy Kurcinka

"Unconditional Parenting" by Alfie Kohn

"Raising Our Children, Raising Ourselves" by Naomi Aldort

The first two I was able to find at my local library.

I loike Raising Your Spirited Child and Adventures in Gentle Discipline

I like "It Takes a Parent" by Betsy Hart.

I was interested in the responses to your question as my 18 month old is very "strong willed." However, I just went on amazon.com and looked up the book that has been recommended to you, "The Strong Willed Child" and read the reader reviews (there are a lot of them) and was horrified! Sounds like the author is a fundamentalist who advocates physicality with toddlers, while justifying it with Bible quotes! I don't know about you, but that is the last thing in the universe I would be interested in reading or modeling my child rearing after...my search for a better book will continue....

Just thought you should check that out, Nicole!

Dare to Discipline is another good one by Dr. James Dobson. I read it along with The Strong-Willed Child a while back. The Strong-Willed Child is actually good to read now. I just pulled it from the shelf and read the back. It reads:
"He goes by different names: the assertive toddler, the self-propelled youngster, the strong-willed child"..."As surely as some children are naturally compliant...others seem to be looking for a fight upon exit from the womb. Such a child comes into the world smoking a cigar and barking orders in the delivery room...This little powerhouse needs a special kind of understanding and discipline from his parents. The Strong-Willed Child is a practical how-to book on discipline and child rearing that focuses on sibling rivalry, hyperactivity, self-esteem, and the common errors made by frustrated parents."
My second son is definitely in the strong-willed child category and my first son was the naturally compliant child. I should read it again as the description on the back makes me laugh thinking of my second son! :) He'll be 2 tomorrow, but his hardest time so far was about 15 months until about 22 months. Then he calmed down a lot in terms of the tantrums and understanding the concept of sharing with other people in mind, though he is still strong-willed. :)

Dr. Dobson also writes a great book called "Dare to Discipline"

Hi Nicole,
My pediatrician recommended 123 Magic for my 18 month old. I haven't read it, though...
I.

The happiest toddler on the block. Brody, only one, but very challenging and strong willed. I love the man that wrote "happiest baby on the block" and "happiest toddler on the block". I believe both of these books have saved my life.

Watch Supper Nanny, she also has a book. She has some good tips.

I don't know if this will make you feel any better, but my mother read The Strong Willed Child to deal with me, and I have turned out to be a wonderful person. My parents just learned that they had to direct my strong will to the right things and then most of the time it would work out good. :) I wish you the best and am betting that my daughter is going to be just like me. ;p She's only 1 and I see it!

Take care,
H.

I also recommend Dare to Discipline by Dobson. I haven't read his Strong Willied child, but my husband also read his Raising Boys book.

I agree with another poster, and I actually read "The Strong Willed Child". My mom read that when my brother was 2, and she gave it to me to read with my son, now 4. It has a lot of good information and suggestions. I'm sorry, I don't remember who wrote it though.
Good luck & remember to go with your gut.
~J.~