Discipline: The Brazelton Way

by T. Berry Brazelton, Joshua Sparrow

Overview

World renowned pediatricians T. Berry Brazelton and Joshua Sparrow see discipline as a parent’s gift to a child. By following the doctors’ unique approach, which emphasizes teaching over punishment, parents will find effective solutions for common behavior problems. Not only will parents feel more confident and at ease but they will also experience the joy of raising children who learn to discipline themselves. The vital advice covers six stages of discipline, the power of consequences, ways to encourage moral development and empathy, dealing with misbehavior (from biting and fighting to cheating, lying and using foul language), and special disciplinary challenges (including academic pressure, illness, and digital technology).

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780738218373
Publisher:	Hachette Books
Publication date:	07/14/2015
Series:	A Merloyd Lawrence Book
Edition description:	Second Edition
Pages:	192
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.25(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

T. Berry Brazelton, MD is professor emeritus of pediatrics at Harvard Medical School and adjunct professor of psychiatry, human behavior, and pediatrics at Brown University. He lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Joshua D. Sparrow, M.D., child psychiatrist and supervisor of inpatient psychiatry at Children's Hospital Boston, is Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, and Associate Director of Training at the Brazelton Touchpoints Center. He is co-author with Dr. Brazelton of Touchpoints Three to Six and several titles in the Brazelton Way series.

Table of Contents

Preface to the Second Edition xi

Introduction: Your Child's Road to Self-Discipline xxi

Chapter 1 The Touch Points of Discipline 1

Touchpoints 2

The Building Blocks of Discipline: First 6 Months 2

7 to 8 Months: The Need for Limits Begins 5

9 to 12 Months: Reading Parents" Faces 9

12 to 14 Months 13

The Second Year 15

Discipline and a Child's Emotional Development 19

Moral Development 24

Self-Esteem 26

Defenses: The Cost of Facing Reality 28

From Discipline to Self-Discipline 30

Chapter 2 An Approach to Discipline 33

Parents' Memories of Discipline 33

Adapting Discipline to Differences in Temperament 34

The Influence of a Parent's Own Example 36

The Cost of Humiliation 38

Physical Punishment 39

Getting a Child's Attention 41

Reading a Child's Behavior 42

The Chance to Make Up for Misbehaving 44

The Power of Consequences 44

The Importance of a United Front 49

Help from Others 53

Chapter 3 Discipline as Learning The Five Steps 57

Step 1 Understanding a Child's Misbehavior 57

Step 2 Discovering What Happened 65

Step 3 Confrontation, Containment, and Setting Limits 68

Step 4 The Child's Reaction 70

Step 5 Consequences, Reparations, and Forgiveness 72

Chapter 4 Ways to Discipline 79

Usually Worth a Try 80

Sometimes Useful 89

Not Helpful 97

Chapter 5 Common Behavior Problems 105

Always Looking for Attention 105

Begging and Whining 106

Biting-and Hitting, Kicking, and Scratching 109

Bullying 111

Cheating 112

Defiance 113

Disobedience 116

Lying 118

Power Struggles 121

Running Away 122

Separation Problems 124

Sibling Rivalry 126

"Spoiled" Children 128

Stealing 129

Swearing and Toilet Talk 133

Talking Back 135

Tantrums 137

Tattling 139

Teasing 140

Chapter 6 Common Disciplinary Challenges 143

Digital Technology 143

Health Issues 146

Academic Pressures 147

Economic Pressures on Families 148

Grandparents and Discipline 149

Single Parents 151

Bibliography 153

Resources for Parents 155

Acknowledgments 157

Index 159

About the Authors 161

Editorial Reviews

Hudson Valley News, 9/14/15
“Whether you’re a Tiger Mother, a Helicopter Mom, or a nice relaxed easygoing parent, you’re certain to need a little guidance along the way, once in a while, and there’s no one better to give that guidance than T. Berry Brazelton…Brazelton’s sensible approach to discipline as a teaching tool, not punishment, is outlined and illustrated here in highly readable prose.”

From the Publisher

Part of a series dealing with common parenting challenges, this newest by Brazelton, with coauthor Sparrow, zeroes in on the topic of discipline, focusing on infancy through age six. Brazelton walks parents through with a gentle tone, modeling for readers that compassion is needed even when dealing with children who need to be disciplined. The authors point out that discipline involves teaching (not punishment), providing boundaries that all kids require. Children who can count on boundaries and rules, Brazelton says, feel safe and loved. Kids learn the rules through repetition, consistency and clear messages, the authors say, and though it may be frustrating for parents to repeat the same lessons or instructions, this is how children learn. Part of the process involves "testing" parents to see if they are serious, so clarity and consistency will help, as will sharing the responsibilities for discipline with a spouse. A useful section describes specific strategies, outlining the pros and cons of such tactics as time outs, taking toys away or docking allowances for older children. The volume helps parents comprehend the importance of discipline and the best ways to achieve it, with the goal eventually being a sense of self-discipline as the child grows. Compact and user-friendly, this is an essential addition to a busy parent's Brazelton library. (Feb.) Forecast: Brazelton's name sells, and these small-format guides (Calming Your Fussy Baby and Sleep will be published the same month) are priced for impulse buys.

Publishers Weekly