Parent educator Sharon Silver has written a book called “Stop Reacting and Start Responding™ 108 Ways to Discipline Consciously and Become the Parent You Want to Be,” and as I mentioned in my previous post, that I have been giving the opportunity to review the e-book. This book couldn’t have come to me at a better time.  Being a parent to a toddler, I find myself daily–raising my voice, reacting emotionally when trying to discipline Mr. Toddler, and generally feeling quite frustrated at the end of a day.  When I reflect on the day, I realize that I really didn’t accomplish anything as far as teaching proper behavior, all I did was get upset at him for “likely normal” 2 year old behavior, and not really teach him the actions I would like him to display.  I was excited to review this book, so I could learn how not to run on survival mode.   I really want to learn to parent, and teach appropriate behavior without getting all emotional.

About the author:

Sharon Silver has been a parent educator for 18 years, teaching seminars to parents and educators based on her experiences as a parent and teacher.

“My goal at Proactive Parenting™ is to help parents bridge the gap between the logical adult world, the emotional world of children, and the reality of every day life. There are no complicated methods to remember, no parenting theories to apply, just a different way of looking at parenting, taught through real tips for real families. And it works!”  She is also is trying “to educate parents to teach for the next moment as well.”

Description from the product page:
“There are many wonderful books out there sharing new ways to parent. The question is, “Do you have the emotional capacity, or time, to read about a new method when you’re in the middle of a whirlwind of anger or reactions?”  Stop Reacting and Start Responding™ addresses that issue.

When a parent is involved in a whirlwind of emotions, anger or reactions, it’s hard to think. Being too emotional to think also makes it difficult to search for answers to change what’s going on so you can arrive at a calmer outcome. Stop Reacting and Start Responding™:
* Is a no-nonsense, reality-based book written in the “blog” style, using short, concise tips
* Offers quick reminders of what to do when a par­ent and/or child is reacting
* Tackles the emotions that are produced during the everyday situations that
* parents face
* Explores a different way to look at situations, and shares a new perspective that ignites a parent’s own wisdom, allowing them to resolve situations calmly, lovingly, and firmly
* Allows parents to enjoy the read and then use it as a tool to remind and support them when they or their child are reacting

A per­fect example would be, when a child says, “No!” A lot of parenting information only addresses how to stop a child from saying “No!” Stop Reacting and Start Responding™ explores why a child might be saying “No!” and shows a parent how to acknowledge those emotions, while teaching the child what they should be doing instead.  And does it all without punishment.”

MY REVIEW:

This is an excellent, well-written (in an easy to read and easy to understand “down-to-earth” tone) parenting book.   I found it easy to follow as each topic is only 1-2 pages, I didn’t feel overwhelmed, it was quick and to the point.  She also has bullet points at the end of each chapter which summarizes things up nicely.

Something I really took away from the book was that anger causes children to retreat so when you react emotionally, your child immediately stops listening. The trick is to discipline without reacting, by staying calm and firm, you will have better results.

I also found giving your child reasonable choices helpful. It makes them feel like they are in control, yet it is something you approve of.  And being a parent of a toddler, this is very helpful.

At my house we are full of the terrible two tantrums, so the section on handling tantrums is very applicable to my situation.

I am so glad I got to read this book, and I am feeling encouraged about parenting, and cannot wait to implement these techniques with Mr. Toddler.

I had the opportunity to take part in a special LIVE MomTV broadcast with Sharon Silver, the author and Abbey from Living My MoMent.  I definitely learned a few important parenting tips. If you would like to check out her TV show, I recommend it.  You can check it out here: MomTV.

Like Sharon Silver’s Facebook page, ProActive Parenting.

Buy the book:  Stop Reacting and Start Responding.  The e-book is 9.95 and the soft bound retails for 12.95.

Disclosure: I am a participant in a Living My MoMent campaign for Proactive Parenting™ and have received the e-book Stop Reacting and Start Responding™ by Sharon Silver as part of my participation.