The Gentle Discipline Book

How to raise co-operative, polite and helpful children

By: Sarah Ockwell-Smith

Narrated by: Katy Sobey

Length: 7 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's summary

Discipline is a vital part of child-rearing, but many parents misunderstand how to use it and attempt to control their child's behaviour via a combination of punishment and motivation. Yet while this traditional approach may appear to produce quick results, it can potentially damage the child and, in the long term, leave parents with a far worse problem than they had initially.

The Gentle Discipline Book analyses common discipline techniques and explains why so many are ineffective. It focuses on helping parents understand why children misbehave and how to respond in a way that will help them work with - rather than against - their child.

Gentle discipline focuses on teaching and learning rather than punishing. With plenty of practical advice and case studies from real families, it will enable parents to set boundaries and enforce them with compassion and respect; it also demonstrates how parents can inspire children to be better and do better and how to set a great example for them. Gentle parenting is not about being a pushover - it means understanding children and having realistic expectations of them as well as responding appropriately and consistently.

The book covers a range of ages, and the principles it contains work with toddlers, tweens and teenagers equally well - because it helps parents respond to the unique needs of each individual child. As well as providing a framework that will enable parents to become experts in their own child's behaviour, The Gentle Discipline Book provides solutions to common problems such as whining and sulking, aggressive behaviour, refusal to do things, rudeness, sibling rivalry, lying, low self-esteem and a lack of confidence.

©2016 Sarah Ockwell-Smith (P)2016 Little Brown Book Group

THE definitive book for parenting help

Brilliantly written by a real human being who has been through all the same struggles all us parents have been, are currently, or will eventually go through. The suggestions and advice found in this book are the best and most sound I’ve ever heard anywhere. Ockwell-Smith emphasizes addressing the root causes of your child’s behavior in such a way that you need never make them feel bad while still encouraging them to grow into the best person they can be. I wish that all parents could read or listen to this book and put it into practice. We would surely live in a much more pleasant world were that the case.

Sound & Balanced Advice

So glad that I gave this book a listen. Will probably listen to it again. You can feel good about things you may be doing right and get some wonderful tips for positive changes that are needed. Thank you Sarah!

First third was very good, doubtful about the rest

The second part of the book contradict the first part and it's hard to differ between good and useless advise.

Ableism and that’s that

I could not even power through this book. This book had so much ableism. Leaving daughter alone to clean room and then wasn’t able to join for lunch. Describing the absolute stereotypical symptoms of neurodivergence. I cannot even stomach what else could possibly be in this book.