The Secret of Happy Children: Why Children Behave the Way They Do -- and What You Can Do to Help Them to Be Optimistic, Loving, Capable, and Happy

by Steve Biddulph

Overview

Psychologist and family counselor Steve Biddulph has been hailed as a "childhood guru" (The Guardian) and a "publishing phenomenon" (the Times, London), and this is his landmark book, the foundation for his major international reputation. With unparalleled clarity, common sense, and warmth, The Secret of Happy Children instructs all parents about parent-child communication from babyhood to teens. It gives parents confidence to be more themselves as parents -- stronger, more loving, more definite, more relaxed. Biddulph reveals what is really happening inside kids' minds and what to do about it. He covers a wide variety of issues important to a child's -- and a parent's -- happiness, including stopping tantrums before they begin, curing shyness, the link between food and behavior, and much more. Parents will find themselves letting go of old, negative approaches and freeing up more energy to enjoy their kids and their own lives.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780786745258
Publisher:	Hachette Books
Publication date:	02/18/2009
Sold by:	Hachette Digital, Inc.
Format:	eBook
Pages:	208
File size:	3 MB

About the Author

Steve Biddulph, a family psychologist for over twenty years, is the author of five other books. He lives in New South Wales, Australia.

Editorial Reviews

This book by an Australian psychologist with more than 20 years' experience has sold more than one million copies worldwide, and this accessible North American edition will win over many more readers. Using the premise that children's happiness depends upon parents or other adults who share in child rearing, the author explains how to interact positively with children, from infancy to adolescence. Simple language, anecdotes, line drawings, and charts describe scientific findings related to parent-child communication. For example, Biddulph highlights the benefits of an extended family and shows how to adapt one's own situation to create one; this segues beautifully into another chapter, which explains that parents should make time for themselves and not become run-down. Some Aussie lingo may confuse American readers such as "I'll bread you!" (meaning to hit). Illustrations greatly enhance the good-humored prose, and the appendix offers tips on how teachers, politicians, relatives, neighbors, and friends can help parents. A short list of references is included. Highly recommended for all libraries. Alice Hershiser, Reedville, VA Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.

Library Journal