Spirited children possess traits we value in adults, yet find challenging in children. Studies now show that these children are "wired" to be more reactive to the world around them. The solution, rather than medication or punishment, is understanding temperament and working with it. Kurcinka in a supportive, warm style is able to reveal to parents how to do it, often leading them to ask, "How did she get into my home?" Winner of the Parents' Choice Award, voted one of the top twenty books for parents, and a "real life saver" for parents, this updated version is eagerly awaited by parents and professionals.

CUSTOMER REVIEWS (Average Customer Rating: 4.5 based on 30 reviews)

Wonderful

Thank god we are not alone. I mean, I knew we really weren't alone, but reading this has seriously helped. I'm about 1/4 of the way through and have found this to be very helpful and insightful.
December 01, 2008

What a life saver

My daughter loves this book as my granddaughter is a truly spirited child and this has saved my daughter from baldness. Lots of info, ideas and solutions to the problem of what to do with these kids, read this book, love the kids and let them be who they are without compromising your ideals. Highly recommend.
November 16, 2008

A lifeline -- This book changed our home.

This book has been a lifeline. Rick and I thought we were great parents. We had a gorgeous little girl who was obedient and sweet. Everyone loved her and praised us for doing such a great job. Then we had our son. Everything that "worked" with Ellie caused the opposite effect in Zach. On the verge of defeat and insanity, I found this book. I cannot tell you how much help it has been; how much it has changed our household, improved our relationships and our confidence.

Raising Your Spirited Child is based on past studies of temperaments, but it's much more than that. The author includes tests to help parents identify their children's temperaments (and their own) and then offers practical, effective strategies for dealing with these strong, innate traits.

Much of the text is direct dialog or interaction from the support groups the author leads for parents of spirited children. Real situations are discussed. The book teaches parents to find the root, the triggers, rather than just addressing the behavior. If your child throws a tantrum for no apparent reason, don't just punish them; stop to find out what caused the tantrum so you can prevent it in the future. Then show your child a better way of handling the problem.

My only complaint: I wish the author had offered more suggestions for sleep issues with spirited children. This section of the book contained only two pages of common knowledge. It was not very helpful for my very spirited 3-year-old who still struggles to sleep through the night.

Final Thoughts: This is a must-read for all parents. It has been an enormous help to us in understanding our kids -- both of them! I understand better what they need, what environments help them thrive, even what drives them crazy. I understand myself better, too. All around: the information and suggestions in this book have improved our home. I cannot recommend it strongly enough.
October 15, 2008

Changed my life and the way I interact with my child

This book has been invaluable helping me understand why my son is "the way he is." It made me feel relieved to know that I am not the only one, and it helped me view his "quirks" in a positive light. The tools and talk tracks have really helped us work together better, and we have had a lot fewer meltdowns since I've read this book. I would recommend this book to any parent, but especially parents of more intense kids. My son is not overly energetic--this is not a book just for hyper kids, though she talks about energetic kids, but it's also helpful to the parent of the child that has to have his clothes smell right, has to do it "his way," has a meltdown if one thing is not the way it is "supposed to be." I feel like "I get my son now," and the best thing is that I can celebrate his idiosyncracies more now that I can work better with them rather than against them. This book has changed my life and changed my outlook on parenting him, and the best thing is that he feels it to and is responding well.
September 08, 2008

Wonderful book.

This book is very helpful. It allows you to accept your child for who he or she is. And to understnad you are not alone in this challenge. There are may spirited chidlren out there, I just happen to have two of them. very helpful in specific and general terms. I enjoyed reading it.
September 05, 2008

SIMILAR PRODUCTS

Raising Your Spirited Child Workbook
by Mary Sheedy Kurcinka

Setting Limits with Your Strong-Willed Child : Eliminating Conflict by Establishing Clear, Firm, and Respectful Boundaries
by Robert J. MacKenzie Ed.D.

Kids, Parents, and Power Struggles: Winning for a Lifetime
by Mary Sheedy Kurcinka

How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk
by Adele Faber, Elaine Mazlish

Parenting the Strong-Willed Child: The Clinically Proven Five-Week Program for Parents of Two- to Six-Year-Olds [Revised and Updated Edition]
by Rex Forehand, Nicholas Long