No Bad Kids: Toddler Discipline Without Shame

This is a must-read for any young parent or parent of a toddler. I found Lansbury's book through her website, which I found from a colleague. As a licensed mental health professional, this respectful, communicative approach to discipline and respect for your child speaks volumes to me. It just makes sense. As a parent, I also subscribe to much of Maria Montessori's philosophy, and RIE (the parenting philosophy developed by Magda Gerber that this book is based on) are very similar. In many ways, Montessori and RIE compliment each other. I've read texts by both Gerber and Montessori directly, and I must say that Janet Lansbury's books are more practically helpful. While Gerber and Montessori's original texts are very inspiring philosophically, what I appreciate about Lansbury's book are the practical examples. There's a bit of a "script" that she reiterates throughout the book that I find incredibly valuable. The book isn't perfect, however. I do wish it was more carefully edited. I've read Lansbury's blog, and many of the best posts are in the book - I haven't read her blog extensively, so perhaps the entire book is simply a print version of her blog. While I love her conversational writing voice, there are a few typos (it's "such-and-such" not "such-in-such"), and areas where I wish she had expanded (a good editor would have helped here). A few of the chapters were simply examples and I would have appreciate a bit more insight from Lansbury herself, rather than being left to infer the message/meaning simply from reprinting other parent's letters (remember, we're exhausted, sleep-deprived parents of toddlers reading this! We need simplicity and repetition!). Other than these nit-picky issues, I find this to be an invaluable book. I will be reading and re-reading this book in the few years to come. Highly recommended to any parent or caregiver of a toddler!

This is a good book that addresses specifically at kids' discipline. Many people associate discipline with punishment but this is exactly what this book is NOT about. It introduces us to the psyche of children, how children often feel the need to test their parents limits to understand boundaries. This makes perfect sense, similar to us trying to understand a new culture, be it a new workplace or a new country. It teaches us that children did not mean to offend us, they bound to test limits and make mistakes to understand when the lines are drawn. But we need to understand what our child is feeling in order to react accordingly. The book explains to us just that and how we should set boundaries with respect and firmness without the use of fear and force. A lot of the stuff are repetitive as you read on and get the gist of what Janet is trying to say, and this is summarized nicely in the last chapter. Every chapter has a case study on how she addresses hers or other parents' issues. Once you read this book, you'll find that terrible 2 isn't that terrible after all. I'm not exaggerating to say that the whole book is important. I gave up highlighting because i'll end up doing that for the whole book. It's a precious one to keep. Keep reading and keep practicing till you master the art of discipline.

This book is AMAZING!!!! Janet Lansbury speaks from decades of experience working with children and having three of her own. Her advice and principles are timeless, easy to follow, and incredibly helpful. My child went from hitting every day, to zero incidences of hitting, because I followed her advice in this book. I cannot speak highly enough about this book. Stop hesitating and BUY IT! I am going to buy several more copies for my friends who want to borrow my copy. This book is by far the most important parenting book and if implemented changes behavior and parenting connection for the better. After putting her ideas into practice, my son is more affectionate, happy, and our relationship has done a 180 and is healthy, happy and sweet. I am SO GRATEFUL to the author for sharing her wisdom and experience.

I really love it! (The one star reviewers did NOT read the book well and that's their own fault! The author says COUNTLESS times that children should NOT be in charge and that they are actually UNcomfortable with that level of power.) I love the overall concept in this book of babies being whole people and treating them with the same respect I'd show another adult but I think she is not allowing for flexibility on that and that type of straightforwardness may not always be possible or necessary. I believe her experience that it can work and just takes practice but I don't see the harm in things like routine charts and timers as "a crutch" just because I wouldn't use that with another adult or using humor as a "dance around." I don't think those things are necessarily a bad thing unless they are overly depended on. I think she's rather strict in her philosophy. But that's my only minor disagreement! It really is a great book so don't let minor things deter you! It's just long enough that it's easy to get through without being a waste of money. The chapters are short and sweet, making it easy to find a stopping point. And this book really makes me want to read her other book Elevating Childcare. It's for babies a little bit younger though. It's all about natural development and whatnot instead of rushing and forcing it. I actually already wanted to read it just from reading her blog. Her blog is actually the reason I never did any of that with my daughter. I definitely like her stuff and I follow her on Facebook. She's great, but strict! If she's too strict for you I recommend the Positive Discipline series by Jane Nelson.

Lots of useful advice, every chapter focuses on a specific aspect of parenting, no vague information. Found it extremely useful and could see improvements in parenting since day one.

I strongly recommend this book to all parents! Thanks to it, I am more confident and gentil parent. i wish I have read it few year before..

Love the book. It gives me lots of valuable knowledge to understand my toddler better. Highly recommended! Thank you for ship this book very fast.

Este libro y las técnicas que te propone me han salvado de volverme loca con mi hijo “toddler”. Es una excelente lectura si eres padre o madre y quieres educar respetuosamente a tus hijos.

Excellent book, offers great advice on how to deal with typical toddler behaviour in a gentle and supportive way. This book really helps with understand your child’s behaviour and responding in a calm but supportive way. It really eases frustration surrounding every day tantrums, whining, throwing and other difficult behaviour.