The Ten Basic Principles of Good Parenting

by Laurence Steinberg

Book Overview

Most parents do a pretty good job of raising kids, says psychologist Laurence Steinberg, but truly effective parenting means not just relying on natural instincts but also on knowing what works and why. In The Ten Basic Principles of Good Parenting, Dr. Steinberg distills decades of research into a parenting book that explains the fundamentals of raising happy, healthy children, giving readers an invaluable map to help them navigate parenthood from...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0743251164
• ISBN13: 9780743251167
• Release Date: May 2005
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.48 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.5" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

I read this book while I was in jail

This is a book I will pass down to my children. It was something I wish I would have read before I had my kids. I found it to be very healing in understanding my own parents, forgiving myself as a parent, and passing down knowledge to other parents. I learned so much and it inspired me during a dark time in my life.

Applying the best of research to practice

Steinberg's book brings the best of research to the everyday lives of parents. Drawing on many sources and years of research about parenting, he has created a thoroughly useful, provocative book about parent child relationships. The pages are filled with food for thought, and practical commentary. Highly recommended.

I've developed a lot of respect for this book

My wife and I are expecting our first child, and even though I've had thoughts all my life about how I would parent, I thought I would get myself a real education, so I bought a lot of books. I feel that most books have a lot of philosophies that I can't relate to, many overly focused on how to discipline and control your children, and how to make them live up to a lot of (in my opinion) arbitrary adult standards (how to make your 3 year old do her violin practice -- I mean this as a joke, but that's how it feels). There are so many things in society trying to shorten childhood, and I believe that forcing your children to do all these "adult" things makes them do everything out of duty as adults, and not ever really want to. I also remember very clearly what it's like to be a child, and I would have been a lot easier if adults would have simply levelled with me. But somehow, most of these books seem to bypass the whole communication aspect. Don't get me wrong, the parent is certainly the parent, and should have the authority when necessary. But arbitrary authority has had an extremely negative impact on my life, and I believe I got a little screwed up because of it. Anyway, enough about me. But I read this book with the prejudice of it being another book that is focused more on what the parents want than what the children need and helps them blossom as mature, solid human beings. As I read this book, I suddenly developed a deep respect for the author. I completely agree in my heart with almost everything he says, and I've seen from other parents (friends/family) who parent much like he suggests, that this is absolutely the way to go. It creates healthier, more respectful, more loving, and more fun relationships. But I also appreciate how the book both gets to the point, at the same time as it never wants you to believe what it says "just because". In effect, the amount of information and wisdom in this book could easily have been padded to an 800-page whopper, which he thankfully didn't. If the author is reading this, I want to personally thank you for this book. Very well done. Thank you, Per Holm-Petersen

An Excellent Parenting Guide

The 10 Basic Principles of Good Parenting is a must-read book for parents that have children from infancy through adolescence. The principles are based on scientific research, and are proven to work no matter what a child's background may be. Doctor Steinberg does an excellent job of not only explaining each of the principles, but also in giving real-life examples of how the principles should be applied. He also goes through each stage of a child's life and explains how to adjust some of the ideas to fit the psychological mindset of the child at that stage. I found the chapters on establishing rules and limits, fostering your child's independence, being consistant, and avoiding harsh discipline to be especially helpful. I also liked Doctor Steinberg's "heads-up" on when the difficult and most trying times in a child's development would occur. These are the ages when the biggest changes occur in the brain - a "re-wiring" so-to-speak. The 10 Basic Principles of Good Parenting is an excellent guide for raising happy children and fostering confidence in a parent. I highly recommend this book.

Finally!

Finally, the book I've been waiting for! As a new parent, innundated with advice from well-meaning family and friends, it was helpful to find a book that boils parenting research down to ten basic points. As I rush around during the day, overtired and stressed out, I use these principles to guide me, and to help me remember the big picture. I'm amazed at how this book has already made a difference in my relationship with my child. If you're overwhelmed by conflicting advice, read this book knowing it's based on sound science, and not old wive's tales.

Indispensible

Finally, a book that covers it all and that rounds out the nuts and bolts type of child-rearing books like Spock and Leach. I found this book both reassuring and informative--my only regret is that it wasn't around when my kids were growing up! But I just bought 3 copies for my two grown daughters and son. Whether you're a full-time parent or working parent, this straightforward, concise guide will help you with all situations that arise in parenting and for every stage of your child's development. Essential if you want to do the best at the most important job you'll ever have (and the most rewarding!).