How to Talk When Kids Won't Listen

Whining, Fighting, Meltdowns, Defiance, and Other Challenges of Childhood

By: Joanna Faber, Julie King

Narrated by: Joanna Faber, Julie King, Mia Barron, Cynthia Farrell, George Newbern, Joy Osmanski, Candace Thaxton

Length: 8 hrs and 53 mins

Publisher's Summary

An all-new guide from the mega-best-selling How to Talk series applies trusted and effective communication strategies to the toughest challenges of raising children.

For 40 years, readers have turned to Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish’s How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk, the book The Boston Globe called “the parenting Bible" for a respectful and practical approach to communication with children. Expanding upon this work, Adele’s daughter, Joanna Faber, along with Julie King, coauthored the best-selling book How to Talk So Little Kids Will Listen. Now, Faber and King have tailored How to Talk’s tried-and-trusted communication strategies to some of the most challenging childhood moments.

From tantrums to technology to talking to kids about tough topics, How to Talk When Kids Won’t Listen offers concrete strategies for these and many more difficult situations.

Part one introduces listeners to the How to Talk “toolbox", with whimsical cartoons demonstrating the basic communication skills that will transform listeners’ relationships with children in their lives. In part two, Joanna and Julie answer specific questions and share relatable stories, offering practical tools for addressing issues such as homework hassles, sibling battles, digital dilemmas, problems with punishment, and more. Listeners can turn directly to any topic of interest and find the help they need, with handy “reminder pages".

Through the combination of lively stories from real parents and teachers, humorous illustrations, and entertaining exercises, How to Talk When Kids Won’t Listen offers real solutions to struggles familiar to every parent, grandparent, teacher, and anyone else who lives or works with children.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio. 

©2021 Joanna Faber and Julia King. All rights reserved. (P)2021 Simon & Schuster, Inc. All rights reserved.

Hopeful and grateful Dad-to-be

I never wanted to be a dad. Mostly because I never wanted to be (like my father was) the policeman, the punisher. I had no conception of how parenting could be possible without punishment. Joanna and Julie have not only given me hope, but practical tools that make complete sense when thinking how I would want to be treated. I know in my bones (and tanned hide) that punishment made me resentful. The repeat offender rates of the US vs Europe also clearly show that protection works, but punishment does not. Why I didn't realize that the same should obviously apply to our children as well is beyond me.

For those struggling with thoughts like acknowledging feelings might be coddling kids, I thought of it in these terms: acknowledging is not the same as validating. By saying “You’re really upset that your balloon isn’t as good as your brother’s” you are stating what you think is true for your child at that moment. It tells them “I see the situation you are in (including some of the emotional stuff going on inside you)”. You aren’t making a judgement. So you are NOT saying:
- “You SHOULD feel that way”
- “If I were in your shoes, I’d feel the same way”
- “You have the best feelings. I wish everyone felt like you did”
You can think it's the dumbest thing to get upset about and still acknowledge that your child is upset. Does anyone really need our opinion on their feelings? The fact that you see what is going on and let your child know that you see it, is what helps.

Just like the other books

This book is more inclusive than the first books in this series because it mentions kids on the Autism spectrum, but other than that the information is pretty much the same.

If you only listen to one parenting book...

If you only listen to one parenting book, make it this one. Applicable to kids of all ages.

Such an Excellent Read!!

This book gives very good information with useful examples. I loved it as both a parent and therapist who works with kids! I would recommend this book to all parents!

Read more than once!

Read more than once! This really does help you to communicate better with your kids and give you different ideas on how to reach them when you feel like you are on your last leg.

So insightful

Not only do I feel more enlightened about how to communicate with my son, but I also feel like I have more tools about how to be a better communicator with my husband. I have learned through this book how powerful our words are and how much our choice of words MATTER

Extremely helpful parenting advice

Regardless of your political persuasion this is a profoundly valuable resource for conflict resolution with children. There are gems of wisdom for people all along the ideological spectrum in this book.

Great book, even the second time!!

I heard this book for the second time. It is wonderful the clarity, and how it seemed I missed some points the first time. It has so many tools and examples!!

be the best to your kids

great book about children and how to understand your children I'd recommend this book to anyone who is struggling

Listening to this again!

I can’t stop recommending this to friends. The world would be a better place if all parents used this method.