A step-by-step guide to bringing up happy, responsible
children...

One of the greatest challenges any parent will face, is teaching
their children the difference between right and wrong and helping
them to learn good social behaviour, whilst maintaining a
satisfying, loving relationship.

Today, more than ever before, parents are concerned about their
children's behaviour and its effect not only on the child, but also
upon society.

This step-by-step guide provides well-researched information for
parents who want to positively encourage their children and
teenagers to behave well and to achieve their full potential.

A practical guide which incorporates plenty of useful advice on
issues such as:

? Providing positive attention for children

? Using rewards

? Communicating Effectively

? Empowering Teenagers

? Negotiating Rules and Boundaries

Dr John Sharry is Principal Social Worker at the Mater Hospital and is a Director of The Brief Therapy Group in Dublin. He is the author of four self-help books for parents, including Parent Power: Bringing up Responsible Children and Teenagers and When Parents Separate: Helping Children Cope. He is also the author of three psychotherapy books: Solution-focused Groupwork, Becoming a Solution Detective: A strengths-based Guide to Brief Therapy and the forthcoming Counselling Children, Adolescents and Families.

Parents are bombarded by conflicting advice. They are told they must give their children unconditional love, yet when children and young people behave badly, parents are blamed for a lack of discipline. Sometimes, parents are left feeling guilty and powerless to influence their children.

Parent Power shows how it is possible to enjoy a warm and loving relationship with your children whilst teaching them what is right and wrong. Focussing on the interaction between parent and child, John Sharry assists parents in finding alternative and satisfying ways to relate to their children in a positive way. Divided into two parts: parenting children from three to eleven years, and parenting teenagers, each part is packed full of well researched principles of parenting, ideas and tips for moving forward.

By allowing this book to encourage you to pause and reflect about your parenting, you will discover what works for you and your own unique family situation, empowering you as a parent and improving family life.

About the author ix

Introduction 1

Parenting - a roller coaster ride 3

Pausing to think about your parenting 15

Part 1 Being a Parent of A Young Child 25

Step 1 Providing positive attention to children 27

Step 2 Play and special time with children 37

Step 3 Encouragement and praise 47

Step 4 Using rewards 57

Step 5 Setting rules and helping children keep them 65

Step 6 Ignoring misbehaviour 77

Step 7 Time Out and other sanctions 87

Step 8 Talking things through/ Family meetings 97

Part 2 Being a Parent of A Teenager 113

Step 9 Pausing to understand teenagers 115

Step 10 Connecting with your teenager 125

Step 11 Getting to know your teenager 133

Step 12 Empowering teenagers 141

Step 13 Communicating effectively - listening and speaking up 151

Step 14 Managing conflict 159

Step 15 Negotiating rules and boundaries 167

Step 16 Solving problems/Talking things through 175

Renewal and Resources 187

Parents caring for themselves 189

Seeking further help and support 195

Index 207