Raising Cooperative Kids: Proven Practices for a Connected, Happy Family

The authors, family psychologists who founded the Oregon Social Learning Center, adopt as their mission showing parents how to create a conflict-free home environment. Having observed thousands of parents and their children over the course of almost 50 years, the authors conclude that successful families share a spirit of cooperation that generates harmonious teamwork. They codify a set of simple, sequential, easy-to-follow strategies for parents of children from toddlerhood through the tween years. Changing established unwanted behaviors is tougher than teaching new ones, but here is a skill repertoire, presented throughout the 10 chapters, which parents can use with confidence. These skills include setting clear parental directions, encouraging good behavior with a reward system, using structured family meetings for problem-solving, and creating productive routines and learning environments. Finally, chapter 10 urges parents to present a united front. In sum, the authors tell parents how to identify their strengths and weaknesses and effectively teach and lead their kids. With lively family stories, useful dialogue, and checklists, this book is also indicative of the trend toward rediscovering generations-old, traditional parenting techniques. (May)