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)

Wow! Simply AMAZING!

This book has changed my way of thinking and how I communicate! This is not just for parents, but teachers and pretty much anyone else who spends time talking with children. Love this book!
These are skills easily transferable to communication with other adults as well. We all need to be a little more empathetic at times. :)

Super helpful book!

What made the experience of listening to How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk the most enjoyable?

Every parent should read this book. Parenting is the hardest job I've ever had and Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish provide some extraordinarily helpful insights and approaches that actually work.

Any additional comments?

I have had less success applying the concepts in this book to my strong-willed daughter than to my easy-going son. This may be my fault, of course, as I may not be applying the concepts properly. Time to re-read and see.

This is a life-changing, must-read book!

Happier life with your kids awaits you. Your children deserve for you to read and understand the simple and easy tips in this book.

Great Advice

Would you consider the audio edition of How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk to be better than the print version?

I would have much rather had the print version of "How to Talk So Kids Will LIsten & Listen so Kids Will Talk" so that I could have seen the exercises and activities that were available. It also would had been beneficial to have the print version so that I could skim back to previous lessons.

Who was your favorite character and why?

This book didn't have characters as it was a guide to parents and how to communicate with their children.

Did Susan Bennett do a good job differentiating all the characters? How?

All the characters in this book are real people giving real examples of parenting moments. Susan Bennett did a great job providing the reader/listener with teachable moments. There was a great selection of "this is what happened" lets take a look at "what should happen using the skills we've just talked about."

What’s an idea from the book that you will remember?

I enjoyed this book because it gave me tools that help me feel more in control while parenting. It is so easy to raise to the emotion of the children you are raising and by using the tools in this book I am able to stay calm and take care of problem.

I really appreciate the phrases of how to speak to your children. "You are very upset about the cold weather the problem is..."

Any additional comments?

I enjoyed this book because I was given ideas on how to take care of situations that used to or easily can escalate into bigger problems with bigger emotions. I catch myself using phrases from the book day to day. I love being able to say "the problem is" instead of my usual "but." I learned how to better empathize with my twin boys and how have taught both of them how to better use their words.

Great read

what a great book that covers so many topics for all ages of kids.

Life changing

This book has made me a better parent and person. Every time I was skeptical, the authors anticipated the doubt and addressed it. I was shocked at how well my 4 yo and 2 yo responded to my new skills.

MUST READ!!

A "MUST READ" especially for those of us blessed with spirited little ones!! Can't wait to re-read to help implement our new strategies.

must have

one of the best book for parenting on the market with great examples, and simple to understand

A must read book for every parent.

I am eager to start practicing. I'm sure it'll take several readings. if everyone read and applied the principles, in a matter of a couple of generations we'll have no more hate, or wars. yes, I think the book is that powerful.

Wish I read this years ago .....

What did you love best about How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk?

How practical it is and the ability to learn to apply the principles using their assignments. I made my own little cheat sheet and printed it on bright paper so that I could remember the right things to say/do. It's all so very practical and has made such a huge difference already with my kids (ages 5 and 7).

What was one of the most memorable moments of How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk?

The chapter on Praise and Self-Esteem was the highlight of the book or me. I've been doing things wrong for 7 years and it shows. My feedback to my child is much different now and it's starting to help him understand that hard work and effort lead to success versus my general comments that led him to believe he's just gifted and things are "great, terrific, etc."
I focus more on describing what I see and feel and pointing out the praise in a word or two. For example, after walking into a room full of Legos and Hot Wheels, I tell the boys the room needs to be cleaned before dinner. When I check on it I might say, "I see a clear floor, Legos and Hot Wheels in their bins and I didn't hear any bickering. That is organized teamwork!"

I've also learned to ask my kids less. In other words, I would normally inquire about how things went at school or at a friends house and backing off of that was hard. It is true that they come and talk more about the things that are important to them when I don't spend so much time asking them questions.

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

No I have not.

What did you learn from How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk that you would use in your daily life?

I've learned to not give answers right away and let kids be resourceful to find answers in other ways. People (adults) who ask questions don't always want an answer. They just are thinking out loud. I've learned which people in my life want answers and which ones actually just want a sounding board and I can respond like a would with my child.

Any additional comments?

Great book. I wish I had known about this book about 3 years ago but I'm so very glad I listened to it. I also ordered the book because there are so many exercises/assignments in it and I knew I would want to be able to do those. Also in the book, there are lots of little comics to show the situations. In the book, the narrator does a fine job using them as examples but the book is definitely set up more to be interactive and trying one step at a time.