Love & Logic

I use Love and Logic with my 20 month old as well as with families I work with as a counselor. I LOVE it! Basic concepts like time out, giving choices, and being consistent work well with little ones. Read the book especially for toddlers if you haven't already. And if you have the chance to take a class I highly recommend it!

Call me crazy, but how can you be logical with a child who doesn't have the wisdom to decide appropriate things for himself? This is a great concept for older kids when they can understand cause and effect. How can you expect a 2-3-4-5 year old to know how much sleep he needs? My kids would choose to stay up till 3am and sleep in class if I let them. Kids need someone to bring order to their world. Asking a child what HE wants to do leaves him feeling like no one is in charge of the universe and that all decisions are relative to his personal needs. Is adult life like that? If you asked them how much school they need, would they have the foresight to choose wisely? That's what moms and dads are for. Go ahead, say, "Because I said so!" Build the fences now so you don't have to call the ambulance later.

I have gone twice and each time I go I learn something different that can help with the situation we are dealing with at that time.They are great techniques if used and tried.They worked well for our daughter.Our problem is after the course is over it's very easy to slip back into old habits.They also used to do refresher courses.I think they are in the summer not for sure though.I have nothing but good things to say about it .Try it.Hope this helps.K.

LOVE IT. I used to teach it. My kids have thrived for years using it and are some of the most responsible, independent kids in their class

My kids school uses the Love and Logic system and it works very well. We've had seminars on it for our parents and I find it does work when you REALLY apply it. I have trouble stopping to think how I should word something, but when I do I get a better response from my children (especially my daughter). I've even used it on my husband a couple of times (sshhhh - don't tell him). I think it works great and since your child is young you can 'learn' how to do it (mine were older). Our social worker at school uses this method and the kids really, really respond to him. I know several people that have had different issues and they learn an idea from Love and Logic, they are like - ' you know, I never thought of trying it that way' (like getting ready for bed without fights). I don't know that it's the answer for EVERY situation, but as a general guideline it's wondeful. It helps me to think through a situation instead of just reacting off of my emotion at the moment.

I LOVE Love & Logic. It is practical, straightforward and, best of all, IT WORKS!!! Jim Fay's CD's are great. It gives both you and your children a sense of control. It works with toddlers, children, and teens. My only suggestion is that you don't listen to his material when your son can hear it!! I can't endorse it enough. Get his material, listen to it and use it!! Enjoy and good luck.
Barb

I just finished the classes last month and I love it. It has really worked on my 6 year old son. Bedtime is not longer the worst part of the day. He helps out more around the house. I think that he enjoys having his only money. I am not perfect at it yet, but when I see that I am not doing what the class taught me - I just stop and go back.

Just went to my first conference last fall, and loved it. I visit the web site often!!

It's a great philosophy and general approach to use in life: treat people with respect, compassion and love and hold others (and yourself) accountable for their actions. I definitely see it as a set of primary tools to use in your parenting toolbox.

I use it as a teacher and it is awesome, I absolutley LOVE it. I have been to several conferences and been taught how to use it in the classroom and it works wonders, especially with those few kids with whom I have tried literally everything else with. Now I plan on getting some parenting books and teaching myself and my hubby how to use it with our kids as well. The web site has great resources and I highly recommend their conferences/workshops. Jim and Charles Fay are hilarious!

I have used Love and Logic with my 3 1/2 year old, and it works really well. The hardest part is remembering to take a deep breath and say, "This is so sad." instead of getting mad at her. :) She responds to it really well, and when I am often amazed at how calm we both are after she does something naughty. I highly recommend it!

E.,

Love and Logic is a great tool- however, I didn't start with it until my kids were older. I believe they have different teachings for toddlers. I wish I would have started earlier!

Good Luck!

T.

I love the Love & Logic books...but don't always use the principals as much as I would like. It's more about training us adults, than it is the kids! LOL! We are such emotional beings and to remember to say "Uh Oh, I'm sorry you choose to do that, how sad, isn't always easy. It truly is a great method to use IMHO, when I remember to use it!

E.,

I just started using Love and Logic with my boys (ages 8 and 11). My 11 year old gets it, and I think enjoys the "power" of having choices, it certainly has made for less arguing in the house. I plan to keep at it definitely!

Hi E.,
I personally didn't like it. It seems that it is for older kids. Some of the concepts I could see using for older children. I have younger ones and couldn't see using many of the concepts for them. Maybe I need to read it again. Good luck.
Chris

HI-- WE Initially took the class for our then 11 year old. I use it constantly for our toddler twins (2). It really keeps me calm. I LOVE it--it worked so well with our older one, and now it really really makes a difference as my little ones get older. Very young children dont get some of the concepts, but combine that with a time out appropriate for their age (1 min per year of age) and it works like a charm. I cant tell you how "ohhhhh, thats a bummer has helped our family!

Good luck. I strongly recommend it to any parent.

Love and Logic is good, but in my opinion not the best. I really great overall parenting approach for the young (under 11) is a book "The Incredible Years" by Carolyn Webster-Stratton. She has another book that is a troubleshooting guide. But really, anything that you look into to help improve your parenting is good.

Hi E.,

My sister-in-law uses it in her daycare (she swears by it!) and bought the book for me to use with my 2-year-old son. Well the principles are great, but sometimes giving choices isn't all that easy with a little one. You ask him "would you like milk or juice?" and he answers "yes". LOL But I see the potential in what they teach, how empowering it will be for the kids, and I fully intend to continue with it. It may not work all that well at this stage of his life, but it will surely prove beneficial in time!!! Best of luck to you - I think you should give it a shot!

L.