The Key to Your Child's Heart: Raise Motivated, Obedient, and Loving Children

by Gary Smalley

Book Overview

A repeat bestseller for two decades, this child-rearing classic cuts to the heart of the anger and alienation that mar so many modern homes. In this ultimately practical book, Gary Smalley outlines effective steps for parents to open up a child that has shut them out. He describes family-tested ways for parents to set limits and enforce them, and he reveals the simple but powerful secret for achieving a close-knit family. Learn proven parenting methods...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0849943949
• ISBN13: 9780849943942
• Release Date: March 2003
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson
• Length: 208 Pages
• Weight: 0.90 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.4" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

life changing book for parents

Life changing book for relating to children and realizing the impact of my words. How they may hear what I say! Love the illustrations he uses to show how a child's heart may close and how we can open it or continue to close it.

My parenting textbook

This is the book I turn to every time I have an issue with my kids that needs to be resolved, or even when I just need to be re-ignited with a passion for pouring my life into my kids. Besides his easy-flowing, excellent writing, the principles he teaches are unbeatable. Unlike the other reviewer who disliked the lists, I found them to actually be a helpful part of the book and I didn't skip over them as I tend to skip over lists in other books. Yes, Gary is an advocate of spanking, which I will make no comment on here other than to say that I also believe in it. But throughout the whole book, including the parts about spanking, it is so easy to see the tender, loving parent that he was/is, as he encourages me to be as well. I was actually encouraged by the creative types of discipline that he suggested as well.I've decided to read this book again every year as my children enter new phases of life so that I will be able to remind myself of these principles and apply them to my changing family. Thank you, Gary, for your encouraging wisdom!

This book made me see my children in a whole new way!

I can not recommend this book enough to all of the parents I know. After reading "The Key to your child's heart", my parenting techniques where quickly and definitely being improved and empowered. My children began to respond to me in a much more positive fashion 'cause they knew my heart was in the right place. In summary, a parents ultimate goal is to work themselves out of a job by raising self sufficient, confident and independent young adults! Thanks Mr.Smalley!

This is an excellent book!

Not only was this book insightful and practical, it was also very easy to read. It has helped me to understand my children better and consequently extend more love and acceptance towards them.

Bill Wadley

This was a terrific book...right on the money!!