Parent Effectiveness Training Dr Thomas Gordon

I first read this book in 1995 when my forst child was a toddler. Now he's 17 and his 'little' sister is 15 but I still get my copy out from time to time to remind me on strategies. The great thing is, the P.E.T. method works with any age child, so I haven't needed to change my approach over the years. The book is a bit American in its langauge, but that the only problem I have with it. Otherwise its fantastic!

Yes - I recommend the book and the accompanying course - if you are looking for a way of parenting that avoids using punishments, rewards, and that will enhance family relationships through the teens and into adulthood,this is the one. Teaches you how to really listen to your children so they feel heard and respected, and also how to make your own needs known without using force, rules etc. Instead , you learn to build honest relationships that grow deeper and more loving. If you can possibly find a course, it's a great way to really learn the skills.

Brilliant, practical,complete parenting system. Long clumsy title, and it's old, but is the book many others have 'borrowed'from eg Faber-Mazlish. Tom felt that parents were 'blamed not trained' and often assumed they had only 2 options -Authoritarian - make all the rules and then make people stick to them, or Permissive - and feel unrespected. So, he worked out a Democratic way, where parents use better communication rather than punishment and threats - kids don't rebel and tantrum if there's no power to rebel against. Didn't make my kids angels, or me a saint, but gave us a way to talk about all the tricky stuff, all get what we needed without slammed doors! and stay friends. I teach the accompanying course cos I believe in it (I'm not getting rich! )
PET is available from Amazon. Please read it.