1-2-3 Magic : Effective Discipline for Children 2-

This book is a quick and easy read, and it's simple enough that mom, dad, grandparents, and sitters can easily learn the system and all enforce it consistently. As long as *I* am consistent in how I use the system, my 3yo son's behavior stays in line (we've been using the system since he was two years old). But whenever I stop enforcing his limits, then he starts to act up more and more. As soon as I realize what is happening, I start right back with PROPER enforcement and his behavior improves immediately! The system works wonderfully! VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED and I have already convinced several friends to buy the book -- I loaned my copy to the DCP so she'd have the same system with my son, and she liked it so much she ran out the next day to buy a copy for herself... and she's been a DCP for eight years!!!!!!!!!!!!

My daughter has effectively circumvented this method. She knows that she does not have to respond until we've gone through a series of counting. We are now working hard to reverse the effects of our low expectations for her.

Easy reading with resources that you can use and understand. Great book for referencing as your children grow and the many stages that they go through.

This book is a must-have for any childcare facility. We have been using 1-2-3 Magic for many years and it WORKS! We did a workshop for the parents and had nothing but positive responses. One 4 year old could not belive that her mom knew the same tricks as her teachers. The key is to be calm and show no emotion. It takes practice, but it really works!

I found the video is quite saving timing way to get the ideas. It does work quite well for 2 yrs girl and 3 yrs body. They do ask sometimes why not 4,5,...:)

I am the mother of 4 children. I have been using Magic 1,2,3 for many years. This has been the easiest and fastest and it just Works Great. Once you and your child(ren) get used to the simple methods used; there's alot less frustration and guilt about getting your child to listen and to stop misbehaving because it's very SIMPLE. I normally don't need to get to 3 anymore because my children know that I am calm and that I mean what I say. You can use the 1,2,3 Magic anywhere, I highly recommend this method because - " IT JUST WORKS ".

Not providing discipline in a loving but consistent manner is setting the child (and the parent) up for problems. The concepts in this book, proper implemented, provide parents (and other caregivers) with a simple but effective way to discipline (and keep one's sanity in the process!).

I saw the video that accompanies this book and started using the techniques on my 18 month-old with excellent success. She is almost 3 now and the counting is simple and VERY effective. Dr. Phelan's ideas are very easy to follow... be consistant!

Have 3 children..15,13,and 2. Implemented when my middle child, autistic, was 3..behavior was uncontrollable. Life became so much easier. Using for my 2 year old now. Recommend it to all of my student's parents and friends who say I just don't know what to do anymore..Worth time and money.

My pediatrician recommended this book for my energetic daughter (18 months at the time). I agree with the philosophy - it's pretty simple and similar to what my mother did with me. The only thing I didn't like was that it seemed to talk down to the parents. It was pretty simplistic and repeatedly talked about not hitting your children (which I found a little offensive). I kind of felt like this was a book written for a low level parenting class, but I did find some tips to be helpful.

I was getting at my wits end with my three year old with his hitting and name calling and this book came to the rescue! It took about two days for him to get it but counting without explanation really works! We had used counting in the past but it seems much more effective without the explanations. Why explain to a child for the hundredth time why they should not hit or call someone a name? I would recommend this book to all parents. If you are consistent, it will work and you will be calm. No more yelling!

I watched the video just this summer while visiting sisters in Washington State. In one of Spokane's most highly reputable school districts they use this very system for the whole district. They say this system works for them better than anything. I have had great results with this and it only took 2 days for my darling boys aged 7 and 3 to totally grasp the idea of what was going on and like someone else said as long as *I* stick to my guns with it then it is HIGHLY effective. This coming from a mom who's 7 yr old was just suspected of early onset BPD and who was recommended to go into an inpatient treatment center because he was supposedly soooo out of control compared to the norm. So, if I can use this with success ANYONE can..Good Luck!

While parents will want to make their own decisions about the types of punishments to use and the transgressions they choose to count, the method and overall concept is excellent. I was often at a loss as to how to gain control over my toddler without losing my cool, and this book is the answer. THANK YOU! Every parent should read it.

We were introduced to this book 2 years ago....our children are now 12, 8 and 2...OH..and one more on the way...It works!! Its basic..takes the guess work out of so much. Im not sure why we never think of this stuff on our own???

Reading this book was one of the best things that I could have done for my child. I have a four year old, and I have been using this techinique for two years now. It works great as long as you adhere to the rules consistantly. Before we discovered this method, it seemed that either I or my husband were constantly having to discipline our child, yelling and spankings were upsetting all of us. No More! Thank you 1-2-3 Magic!