Book Nook: 1-2-3 Magic: Effective Discipline for Children 2-12

Children are great - except when it comes to discipline. After 30 years in practice (and raising two kids of his own), clinical psychologist Dr. Thomas Phelan has seen every type of misbehavior imaginable. His solution to managing discipline issues is simply counting to three. In 1-2-3 Magic: Effective Discipline for Children 2-12, Phelan tackles the most frustrating parenting challenges, and shows moms and dads how to use his easy and effective counting technique to curb obnoxious behavior.

I had a chance to review the book, which includes putting the 1-2-3 strategy to work in a variety of situations. It details the two biggest discipline mistakes parents make, how to use counting to control behavior, guidelines for sibling rivalry, what to expect when children test parents, how to establish positive behavior, and specific situations like bedtime and cleaning up.

Sourcebooks hosted a 1-2-3 Magic Parenting Challenge, which included a variety of Facebook chats, and also videos that are still available to view, one of which is included below.

A registered clinical psychologist, Thomas W. Phelan, PhD, has worked with children, adults, and families for over 30 years. 1-2-3 Magic has sold more than 1.6 million copies and has been translated into twenty-two languages.

1-2-3 Magic: Part 1 - Straight Thinking from Sourcebooks Inc on Vimeo.