ScreamFree Parenting, 10th Anniversary Revised Edition

How to Raise Amazing Adults by Learning to Pause More and React Less

By: Hal Runkel LMFT

Narrated by: Hal Runkel LMFT

Parenting is not about kids; it's about parents. If you're not in control, then you cannot be in charge. What every kid really needs are parents who are able to keep their cool no matter what. Easier said than done? Not anymore, thanks to ScreamFree Parenting, the principle-based approach that's inspiring parents everywhere to truly revolutionize their family dynamics. Moving beyond the child-centered, technique-based approaches that ultimately fail, the ScreamFree way compels you to focus on yourself, calm yourself down, and grow yourself up.

For those of you who are parents, know parents, or have had parents, the notion that the greatest thing you can do for your children is to learn to focus on yourself may sound strange, even heretical. It's not. Here's why: We are the only ones we can control. This practical, effective guide for parents of all ages with kids of all ages introduces proven principles for overcoming the anxieties and stresses of parenting and setting new patterns of connection and cooperation. Told in an engaging, conversational tone, this audiobook is sensible, straightforward, and based on the experiences of hundreds of actual families. It will help all parents become calming authorities in their homes, bring peace to their families today, and give kids what they need to grow into caring, self-directed adults tomorrow.

©2007 ScreamFree Omnimedia, LLC (P)2007 Random House, Inc. Random House Audio, a division of Random House, Inc.

Awesome Book!

My favorite parts: Take: care of myself first so that my children won't have to later. My scream reaction to my children behavior has nothing to do with them, but everything to do with me. I'm asking them to calm me down. I've learned to stay calm regardless of the situation, listen and then handle the situation accordingly.

very helpful

Very helpful way of thinking. Help you understand how to change what is going on between you and your child, without your child's cooperation.

Good info after scream-free is drilled into you

I didn't particularly like Chapters 2-7. I need to be told only so many times that not screaming at my kids and focusing instead on myself is what I need to do. I did, however, get a lot out of the remaining chapters in the book, such as allowing natural consequences to be the child's punishment for poor choices (the Love & Logic concept), allowing children to have their space, keeping promises, and taking care of yourself first so you can bring your best self to your relationships. I agree that he didn't lay out step by step what actions to take to put the principles into practice, but I personally didn't find that necessary. Definitely a worthwhile listen.

muy buen libro padres

el cambio del enfoque a uno es excelente! para aprender cada dia, para recomendar a otros

Glad I chose this book!

I am truly enjoying this audio book. It has very insightful information about parenting - the best way to handle difficult situations with children is by 1st controlling your emotional reactivity and remaining calm. I love this basic principle and the parenting vignettes with tips have been very useful. I am glad I chose this parenting book over others to listen to since it can be applied to children of all ages and stages. I highly recommend it!!!

Sets great foundation but leaves you wanting

Any additional comments?

Mr. Runkel sets a great foundation for scream free parenting by telling you what you need to do and gives some examples, but it lacks in specific directions on how to get there. To achieve the goals set in this book, you need to supplement the information by finding and reading other parenting books that go into more detail on the things Mr. Runkel touches on. For example, as a divorced father of two girls (9 and 11), I struggle with the concept of actions and consequences. It's not that i give in easily into their pleading of "oh daddy, please give me one more chance" -- i do not; however, I don't always know what the "natural" consequences are, so I end up tieing arbitrary ones to their actions. Mr. Runkel makes references to other books as source of examples, but I was hoping that he would make specific recommendations for such areas where he doesn't go into too much detail. Having said that, I do recommend this book, as it did leave me feeling like I was well on my way to better parent.

Excellent

Wow the best parenting book I've read
Wasn't expecting it to be about me and starting with me learnt a lot from this book thanks Hal runkel

So helpful

This has given me hope! I especially love his ending on loving and taking care of your needs so you can be there for your children and family.

Great book! I'll be listening to it again to reabsorb the lessons.

the pause!

This book was awesome. First parenting book that focused on making yourself a priority. Also, addressed the underlying issues of anxiety as cause for reactions. This has allowed me to analyze why I'm feeling overwhelmed and address my own parenting stresses. thanks Hal!

Excellent Listen!

Any additional comments?

An excellent book, a real eye-opener for me. It really made me realize that my screaming form of discipline has been ineffective with my kids. As a result of this book, I have really changed my approach. I've been through several child rearing books and this is one of the best. The only book I have found so far that tops this is Parent Effectiveness Training which gets into more specifics about what to say and not to say.