It's Magic!

At one of my photoshoots, one of my clients (thanks Kathy!) told me about one of the BEST parenting books I have ever read (and believe me, I've read a lot!) It is called 1-2-3 Magic and it is AMAZING! Not only does it have a specific discipline plan that is easy to carry out for almost every situation, it also has ways to improve your relationship with your children that have already made a huge difference in our family. It encourages parents to stop lecturing or getting emotional (which is VERY hard for me to do) and just use more actions. It really nips arguing, whining, and fighting in the bud. Basically, when the kids act out, you don't go off on what they did wrong (because they know when they are acting out), you just say "That's one." Then you count to 5 in your head and if they are still doing it, you say "That's two." If they are still continuing to misbehave, you finish by saying "That's three. Timeout." Then, without saying a word or showing any emotion, you escort them to timeout (for however many minutes they are old) and when they are finished you don't talk about it again.

I'm telling you, I LOVE this book and it really works. In fact, the other day I gave my daughter a count to one while she had a friend over and I heard her tell her friend, "We better do what she asked or we'll have to go to the garage!" (The garage is where they go to timeout in our house-- mainly so I can't hear the whining or crying ;0)) I checked this book out at the library but I am going to buy it because I need to memorize it. Just thought I would share with all you moms out there.