The Everything Parent's Guide to the Defiant Child

Book excerpt: Dealing with defiant children can be frustrating, time-consuming, and emotionally exhausting for parents and kids alike. But with this practical, reassuring handbook, you no longer have to feel helpless. You'll learn how to defuse the negativity, hostility, antagonism, and explosive anger that can ruin your child's relationships with family, friends, teachers, and other authority figures. This book helps you to: Choose which battles to fight Follow thorough Be consistent Communicate clear expectations and consequences (without yelling) Give your child some power over his life Reinforce positive changes Most important, you'll learn why defiance happens and how to react when it does. You will adopt the parenting and anger-management skills you need to make a real difference in your child's life. You'll help your child control his emotions--and grow up to be healthy, well-rounded adult.