1st Edition
Gentle Parenting Reimagined How to Make It Work with Oppositional and Defiant Kids
Do you feel like it’s a constant battle to get your child or teen to do even the smallest things? Despite all of the parenting advice you’ve been given, nothing has worked. Maybe you like the idea of Gentle Parenting but how, exactly, can a parent stay gentle in the face of daily disrespect and oppositional behavior?
Gentle Parenting Reimagined offers evidence-based solutions for families stuck at a crossroads. Today’s parents are becoming increasingly attentive towards raising loving humans in a peaceful environment that puts their emotional wellbeing first. This book unlocks proven strategies to help parents connect with their child and have the relationship they desire while vastly reducing – or even eliminating – daily behavioral challenges. Written by a leading child and family expert, this book draws from Dr. Paul Sunseri’s 40 years of clinical experience working with oppositional and defiant children and teens. Using real-world examples, the book provides a clear roadmap to help parents manage disrespect, emotion dysregulation (temper tantrums), not listening, problems with homework, being on time for school, and much more. The book provides strategies to preserve the relationship and protect a child’s emotional wellbeing while simultaneously improving their behavior. This book also addresses the unique challenges of the 21st century and considers how to gently parent in the digital age – managing screen time, social media, the technological impacts of the pandemic, and motivating your child to get things done. Written in a conversational and accessible style, this book provides parents and caregivers with tools and techniques for reducing conflict, and increasing family connection.
This book is essential reading for parents wanting to create a healthy and happier home environment, as well as for therapists looking to develop their skills in working with challenging children and teens.
Part I: Foundational Skills
1 Parenting Styles for a Happy, Healthy, and More loving Family
2 How to Become a No Yelling Family
Part II: Improving Communication
3 The Expectation of Having Expectations
4 The Art of and Science Disengaging
5 Better Communication with a Lot Less Conflict
Part III: Tools for Lasting Behavior Change
6 Ways to Use Positive Reinforcement that Work
7 Pause, Earn, and Return: A Better Alternative than Punishment
8 A Framework for Much Better Behavior
9 The Mental Health Benefits of Reducing Screen Time and Using It to Incentivize Better Behavior
Part IV: Common Challenges and How to Solve Them
10 Managing Disrespect and Oppositional Behavior
11 Starting the Day in the Right Way: How to Have More Peaceful Mornings
12 No More Arguments and Bickering Between Siblings
13 Staying Caught Up on Homework without a Fight
14 Getting Things Done: Chores and Helping Out Around the House
15 Bigger Kid Stuff: Overcoming Reluctance to Getting a Driver’s License and a Part-Time Job
16 On Orchids and Dandelions
Biography
Paul Sunseri, Psy.D. is a clinical psychologist and father of four who treats children and adolescents with serious mental health conditions. He is the developer of Intensive Family-Focused Therapy (myIFFT.org), a highly effective form of family-based mental health care.
“Dr. Paul Sunseri’s Gentle Parenting Reimagined is not just an immensely practical guide, it is also true in recognizing the value of ‘relationship first’ amidst the challenges facing parents today. Through decades of professional experience, he has a deep understanding of the most challenging behaviors that led him to develop the strategies that have shown to yield results. Finally, a book that understands the parenting experience at the core, reignites hope for change, and promotes deeper connection with our kids and teens”.
Mallory Eastman, LMFT
“Our family was in a very dark place with our 14-year-old daughter. We tried so many avenues for help, but nothing worked to bring our family together and into the light. The techniques outlined in Dr. Sunseri’s book brought sunshine, hopefulness, control, and, most importantly, laughter back into our lives. It's difficult and may even get more challenging for a while, but if you do the work and stay open and consistent with these strategies, positive changes will begin with your child and your relationship with them. I got my beautiful, funny, intelligent, strong, loving daughter back.”
Christi S., Parent
“Our 12-year-old son was out of control and exhibited pretty much every behavior described in this book. We were at a total loss as to how to help him and life at home was incredibly overwhelming and stressful. Dr. Sunseri taught us each of the interventions outlined in this book, and by finding the right balance between love and accountability, we began to see almost immediate results that were life-changing for us. It was hard work for me to change my approach to our son but that was the key all along. Dr. Sunseri is a master at behavior change and because of these techniques we now can envision a bright future for our son and our family.” Debbie K., Parent
