Easy to Love, Difficult to Discipline

The 7 Basic Skills for Turning Conflict into Cooperation

By: Becky A. Bailey

Narrated by: Emily Beresford

Length: 9 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's Summary

Have you ever opened your mouth to discipline your child, and your parents' nastiest words tumble out? In an era when most parenting books focus on the child, this book supports parents in dealing more positively with themselves, as well as their toddler-to-school-age children, offering specific tools to stop policing and pleading with kids and start being the parents we want to be.

Based on Dr. Bailey's more than 25 years of work with children, this book explains that how we discipline ourselves is ultimately how we discipline our children. Her "Seven Powers for Self-Control" dramatically increase our ability to keep our cool with our children. These correspond to "Seven Basic Discipline Skills" we can use with our children in conflict situations. As children internalize these skills, they naturally learn "Seven Values for Living," which include integrity, respect, compassion, and responsibility.

©2007 Becky A. Bailey (P)2016 Tantor

Critic Reviews

"Bailey's underlying message is positive and hopeful, supported with humorous anecdotes and helpful solutions to even chronic discipline problems." ( Publishers Weekly)

Best Parenting Book I've Read

This book addresses a very real issue in parenting struggles: the parents' behavior. Kids pick up on our mood, and if we become calm, they will too. I love the overall teaching that discipline is teaching, not punishment. I also like that consequences are a good thing, just the right type of consequence. This book has taught me how to think in the perspective of the child and to consider how to talk to my kids differently. Since reading this I have rarely yelled anymore and we no longer use time-outs (and don't need to!).

Narrator was PAINFUL to listen to!

It took FOREVER to finish because the narration was downright painful to listen to! I had to go back to the same parts OVER AND OVER because I just couldn't keep my focus on what she was saying. But the content seemed good, and it was highly recommended so I persisted. I'm glad I did. It was good information. I HAAAATE to read, but I'm gonna have to get the print version to go over the pertinent parts because I just can't listen to that again. There are SO MANY good voice over artists. I just don't understand why anyone would hire someone who sounds like a bored robot. Try MacKenzie Koppa next time, guys. Her voice is delightful!

The book about parenting I was looking for

And if you are a highly sensitive person, it gives wonderful advices and practices, for example you can't please people and set limits at the same time.

Beneficial for gentle parenting

Following the methods requires a lot of patience, discipline and consistency on my part as mom. The gentle parenting tips are completely opposite from the old days. I definitely recommend for parents seeking a calm way of raising a strong willed child and parents of multiples. The lessons are beneficial for mediating children through sibling quarrels. Also, it helped with viewing my strong willed child’s choices from their perspective. I was never able to do that prior to reading this book.

Great parenting/ person book

This is a great book. Not just for parenting but for self-improvement as well! I had learned a little about this approach so I wanted to hear the whole thing. I read the negative reviews, and I think that if people say that the first chapters are a waste of time, then they are not really interested in changing themselves. This approach really helps as you practice it and learn to use it. I am speaking as a parent of several children and as a preschool teacher. Working on self composure, assertiveness, setting clear boundaries, taking responsibility and encouraging confidence. Highly recommended

Practical tools for emotionally healthier kids

This book gives practical tools to help adults help children to learn or increase key skills for life like processing emotions, having a positive self-image, and living with self-control and self-discipline. But the author knows that you cannot teach what you do not know, so she extends these research-based concepts for a better life to include the adults themselves. Has been helpful to me personally and is helping me help my “kids” (my clients as an occupational therapist) as well.

Everyone should read this!

It took roughly two weeks to go from a constant struggle with an extremely stubborn 4 year old to him crying happy tears about the new loving relationship he has with his parents. We didn't have to change him. We changed ourselves and he followed our example. Our lives are greatly improved and he is sharing in that happiness.

Way too long is an understatement.

This easily could have been 100 pages, not 250. It’s absolutely redundant and downright often painful to get through. There are a few gems here and there but the editor should be shot for publishing it this way.

Real tools for daily struggles

Thank you Becky for tools I can actually use, day in and day out, to provide loving guidance to my child. I'm using many of them already, especially "assign positive intent" and "focus on what you want". This book gives me hope that I can teach and guide my fearsome four year old in a way that is supportive, encouraging and instructive rather than punitive or reproachful. Thank you.

Wonderful work, annoying voice

This stuff is revolutionary both as a parent and teacher. You will learn a lot. The voice is kind of painful though