LIBERATED PARENTS/LIBERATED CHILDREN

by Adele & Elaine Mazlish Faber ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 1, 1973

In its own self-conscious, excitable fashion -- the sort of overstated style adopted by non-pros who know it -- this is still a sincere tribute to the work of the late Haim Ginott, and a useful aid to parents who admire him in print but flounder in practice. The authors are mothers of school-age children who were members of a parent workshop conducted over a five-year period by Dr. Ginott and this book is a record of their week-by-week progress (or lack of it) in child-rearing as they reported it to the group for discussion and guidance. The women received on-the-spot training in technique and were gradually introduced to theory: use descriptive not evaluative language (""I see spilled milk"" rather than ""Stupid!""); accept the child's feelings (and your own) -- ""You really hate it when Aunt Harriet pinches your cheek""; help the child to trust himself and to act for himself; avoid encapsulating your child into roles (the Underachiever, the Whiner, the Princess); learn to change your child's mood rather than his mind. Above all, character building rather than happiness should be the prime parental aim. The authors and their friends reacted to their home labs predictably. There were sudden exhilarating successes, frustrating reverses and moments of despair. However, the parents gradually realize that there is always a road back even from a roof-raising scene, and as Dr. Ginott pointed out, a violin, even the best, is tuned many times. A very real help to the earnest parent alone with Between Parent and Child (1965) who needs a neighborly hand or shoulder.

Pub Date: Feb. 1, 1973

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Grosset & Dunlap

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 1, 1973

Categories: NONFICTION