How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk

By: Adele Faber, Elaine Mazlish

Narrated by: Susan Bennett

Length: 8 hrs and 24 mins

Publisher's summary

“This parenting book actually made me a better parent.” (Lydia Kiesling, The New York Times)

From number-one New York Times best-selling authors, the ultimate “parenting bible” (The Boston Globe) - a timeless, beloved book on how to effectively communicate with your child.

This best-selling classic by internationally acclaimed experts on communication between parents and children includes fresh insights and suggestions, as well as the author’s time-tested methods to solve common problems and build foundations for lasting relationships, including innovative ways to:

• Cope with your child’s negative feelings, such as frustration, anger, and disappointment
• Express your strong feelings without being hurtful
• Engage your child’s willing cooperation
• Set firm limits and maintain goodwill
• Use alternatives to punishment that promote self-discipline
• Understand the difference between helpful and unhelpful praise
• Resolve family conflicts peacefully

Enthusiastically praised by parents and professionals around the world, Faber and Mazlish’s down-to-earth, respectful approach makes relationships with children of all ages less stressful and more rewarding.

©2012 Adele Faber, Elaine Mazlish (P)2012 Simon & Schuster

Critic reviews

"Will bring about more cooperation from children than all the yelling and pleading in the world." (Christian Science Monitor)

"An excellent book that’s applicable to any relationship." (Washington Post)

"Practical, sensible, lucid... the approaches Faber and Mazlish lay out are so logical you wonder why you read them with such a burst of discovery." (Family Journal)

Life changing ideas and concepts

If you were raised with loving rents who didn't raise you by developing abilities to evaluate & decide best options, read and understand these ideas and concepts.

I wish I could redo my last 5 years of parenting

Before I read How to Talk, I dreaded time with my kids. I would yearn to go back to work. I felt like I had to bully them through every little step of the daily routine.

Changing from the reward/punishment paradigm, to a feelings/problem solving paradigm, made an overnight difference. Suddenly my kids are putting on their own shoes, sharing, and going potty all without me controlling or micromanaging.

I feel like my kids are fellow human beings instead of jobs. it's such a relief to trust them to solve their problems and be pleasantly surprised when they do. Now we bask in mutual respect.

Timeless

This book is amazing and can help no matter what stage in parenting. A must read for all who seek a better way.

loved it!

amazing it really was a good book and very helpful with my life as a mom

excellent book for teachers, parents

this is an excellent book for people who just want to understand how to talk to children without getting so frustrated everybody is mad at each other. it is great for teachers and for parents, family members, and caregivers.
I am going to use it within my teaching work and it has already helped me problem solve a lot of things.

This book changed our lives!

I use to struggle with frustration and angry outburst when my son was a toddler. I was ashamed but thankfully had done the personal work to stop my reactions. Sadly the damage was done and my 8 year old struggles with shutting down and NO communication when he had strong emotions. I was terrified my past reactions had severed our connection and I had no idea how to communicate with him in a way that would get him to open back up and start expressing himself so that I could understand what or how he was even feeling. This book brought me to tears every time I have listened to it and now happy tears of relief as I just listened to it for the third time and the difference it has made in my understanding of a new approach and knowing what to say. My son has started very slowly but, obviously improved in starting to feel heard and understood now he actually expresses his feelings and what’s wrong allowing me to understand and communicate to find a solution. And personal side note, remember every child is wanting/needing connection and love when/after making mistakes not consequences or punishment to TEACH them to make better decisions and choices on their own.

Very practical, effective and we'll organized

Absolute loved this book and the methods taught to help you listen to be listened by children under your care.
The book is very well organized making it easier to learn and go through.
It teaches the methods in a very practical way.
It's really helped me understand my daughter a lot better and helped us have a much stronger relationship based on listening well to each other.
Highly recommend to anyone who is a care taker of children.

Great book

If you have kids, you need to read this book.
It is very helpful and has many great tips.

Life Changer

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, I would and have recommended this book.

What did you like best about this story?

Easy to understand approaches with a lot of examples make it easy to "get it."

Have you listened to any of Susan Bennett’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

What insight do you think you’ll apply from How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk?

My relationship with my 6-year old son has dramatically changed since using this book to adjust my listening and talking skills. I intend to practice and practice until I am a better, more respectful listener to my children.

Any additional comments?

This is worth the credit - I am actually buying the hard copy too - it is important reference material to have around.

Great instruction manual

This book provides you with ample amount of ideas on how to distract and get the child to do just what you wanted them to do in the first place. It's very informative. My only qualm is the narrator's voice can get quite dull so the story seemed to drag.