Book Description
The good news is that Drs. Swihart and Cotter have created a radical and clinically proven program for breaking manipulative behavior and getting our kids back on track. At its core is the concept of value-guided parenting, wherein parents do the difficult work of establishing a set of values - a family identity - and then demanding that they and their children behave based on these values. The program teaches parents to say no without feeling guilt; to resist the urge to feel responsible for their child's happiness (which negates the child's chance to struggle with and learn from life's vicissitudes); to view their children as emotionally competent and resilient; and most importantly, to realize that effective parenting means allowing your child to make mistakes and develop a sense of competence, which leads to enhanced self-esteem and an ability to live independently and successfully in the real world.