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)

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.

Too good! Worth the time.

Enjoyed learning about the skill and then seeing it in action and then having the parents chime in. Lengthy but has a lot of value and good tools.

Life changing

This book literally changed the way I talk (and listen) to my children and our lives are all better for it. Before reading I felt stuck in an endless loop of talking without being heard, getting frustrated and repeating the same cycle over and over again. The simple and easy to understand tools in this book allowed me to break out of the cycle and the difference was immediate. I feel empowered and more connected than ever to both of my children aged 3 and 5. My husband is listening to the book now as well and I plan to play it again as a reminder if I fall back into old habits. I highly recommend reading to all parents!

Absolute masterpiece

When I think about how many notes the author must’ve taken and how many years of experience went into crafting each phrase in each little nuance of how to talk to kids, it blows my mind.

Best Parenting Book I have read!

I am a pschotherapist and have read many parenting books, but this is by far the best one have read, as it is so effective with my kids. Highly recommend!

Great

I was amazed at the truth behind this book. I catch myself talking horribly to my son and have to stop and think of a different approach. I will probably listen to it again. The concept of "how would you react" definitely makes you think.

Great Advice

The authors give advice that makes sense in how one should communicate with kids. Along with advice they give examples of people from their workshops actually implementing those skills. The narrator is also pretty awesome. She doesn't distract from the material and is lively enough for me to keep paying attention.

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.