Playful Parenting

By: Lawrence J. Cohen Ph.D.

Narrated by: Lawrence J. Cohen Ph.D.

Length: 6 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's Summary

Playful Parenting means joining children in their world of play, focusing on connection and confidence, giggling and roughhousing, and following your child's lead. This audiobook is an exciting approach to raising children that will help you nurture close relationships and solve behavior problems.

Think about the loving gaze of an infant, the no-hold-barred embrace of a toddler, the intimacy of a shared bedtime story, or a silent hand-in-hand walk. These moments of heartfelt connection with our children are part of the great payoff for the hard work of parenting. Yet this connection all too often eludes us. We find ourselves locked in battle instead of joined in partnership. Play can be the long-sought bridge back to that deep emotional bond between parent and child.

©2010 Lawrence J. Cohen (P)2010 Wyatt-MacKenzie

Critic Reviews

“A welcome reminder that the serious business of parenthood also can be fun.” ( Seattle Post-Intelligencer)

“Using examples from his practice, research and personal experience, [Cohen] intelligently guides parents through the possibilities awaiting them if they are willing and able to loosen up. The book explores play with compassion, but is often so funny that parents will find themselves chortling out loud with recognition and anticipation.” ( Publishers Weekly)

enhanced my parenting style

loved listening to this while making my kids lunches and cleaning the kitchen late at night. This is truly respectable author and narrator. As an orthodox Jew with lots of little ones, this book has given me the ability and tools to be a fun mommy more often, even when I'm too busy and on task. This has been a true gift from G-d and I'm so grateful.

Must read parenting book

This book was easy to listen to and packed full of specific ideas of how to use play to connect with your children, from babies to teenagers. I loved his section with rules of wrestling and his advice to "follow the giggles" and schedule one on one play time with each child where they get to pick the activity and have your complete focus.

How to say "play with your kids" for 100 pages

I loved the idea of this book, but the author spent most of the time saying that it was important to play with your kids without really elaborating on how to structure one's life to play more with the kids, how to find hobbies in common with your kids, how to find family activities that everyone enjoys, etc.

The book was just 100 different ways of saying how important it is to play with kids. I wanted a "how to" not a "how important." HOWEVER, there were one or two things that I found useful.

Best Parenting Book Ever

This is the best parenting resource around. You can look at the rave reviews for the paperback on amazon. It's finally out in audio, read by the author. Great stuff.

"The book" for my parenting needs & more :)

i absolutely loved this book, starting with title, the approach and the interesting anecdotes. this book has made a significant difference to my parenting style in last 6 months or so. I am happy that I chose to read it and make an effort to use the advise as much as I could..I think I now understand a thing or two about parenting myself which is very empowering. earlier I was turning to people around me and was getting conflicting opinions on how to deal with parenting issues..my heartfelt gratitude to Dr Cohen for writing tks wonderful book. this book should be on every parents shelf...

A have to read for Every parent, grandparent !!!

It was sooo good that I am going to read it AGAIN.! if you want to connect with your kids READ IT!

Get this book.

If you're a parent struggling with behavioral issues (yours or your child's), this book will help you make sense of those issues and move forward by flowing with your children's energy...understanding and meeting their unmet needs, creating and restoring connection, solving problems, and infusing joy into your life with your kids. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. Just get it.

book of the year

Would you listen to Playful Parenting again? Why?

yes i am listening to it for a second time as there is much to take in

What was one of the most memorable moments of Playful Parenting?

the message to parents to lighten up and enjoy their children

Have you listened to any of Lawrence J. Cohen’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

no

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

How he really gets kids

Any additional comments?

everyone should read it

Excellent!

Great listen for parents trying to navigate the challenges of positive, playful parenting without resolving to negative or physical punishments; rather, connecting with your children and filling their cup.

Inspiring book, great narration, best advice yet

Should be titled, "Solve all your problems with your kids through play and have the family you've always wanted". Amazing.

Helpful book

I love all the ideas for games to play with kids - useful for kids aged 2 to 12! Not sure I agree with his philosophy 100%, but there's definitely lots of useful content.

Genius ideas for connecting with children

Full of practical ideas of how to connect and play through those areas of parenting that would otherwise be full of frustration and exasperation. My children are very competitive with each other and Larry's suggestion of playing with the themes of winning and losing worked like magic. Also, playing with breaking ludicrous rules and using imaginary banned words have made life a lot more fun! I also welcome the alternatives to time out as I don't agree with isolating children. When we feel good we behave well, as adults and children. This book really helps achieve that.

Important book

Loved this book,especially read by the author. I've read the book too and the bits missed out don't really result in any lost content or learning. I think this could be one of the most important books I've read

Common sense

I listen to this book after having a new friend (of my sons) come into our lives and struggling with his behavioral issues whilst not wanting to end the friendship. While I am still struggling with this relationship, the book has given me loads of suggestions about how to reconnect with my own son after a traumatic past year and "early teen" behaviour from him (in my eyes), or - as the book will tell it - cries for connection from him. I'm going to listen again in case I missed anything but I'd recommend this as a priority read for all parents, grandparents, uncles, aunties and anyone who comes into contact with children.

It is common sense but we can all benefit from a reminder about how it feels to be a young person and tips about how to make them, and us, feel great.

Great only book needed for happy home

really good advice that resonates as the right way to approach parenting, i wish my parents had read this one back in the day.

Playful parenting

Lawrence your time has been spent well, a true gentleman. A great book!!
The book was emotional, fun and in some areas hard to swollow.
Its has helped me see the parenting road ahead clearer and much less foggy
Thank you G

great book

lots of practical advice on how to deal with everyday issues. the narration is very good as well. great tone of voice that keeps you engaged through out

Brilliant

Fantastic book with great advice that works when put into practice. Will listen to it again to be sure even more of it sinks in.

Brilliant

I've yet to finish it but I've already started to implement and try a few things and the positive responses from my 4yr old are fantastic. I'm really learning a lot, and this makes me want to learn even more about the hows, whys, and benefits of play and children's development.
I'll try to write another review once I've finished but so far I would absolutely recommend this to any parent, grandparents, teachers, caregivers etc.

Some good concepts but quite repetitive

Overall I liked the premise of this, and it gave me a greater understanding of play therapy. The narration was quite monotonous and the book was quite repetitive, but possibly because it is meant to be read rather than listened to. I will try some of the suggestions, but not wrestling as I found this idea quite uncomfortable.