Parenting Principles

Drawing from his well-received 2004 book The 10 Basic Principles of Good Parenting, this guidance program features author Laurence Steinberg, Ph.D., who presents an overview of good-sense childrearing approaches with different types of parents (including couples and single mothers and fathers), along the way exploring topics from real-world perspectives. For some, these principles (such as “You Cannot Be Too Loving” or “Help Foster Your Child's Independence”) will be a confirmation of their own thinking, but might be a challenge to others. Many of the moms and dads interviewed here share how their own parenting behavior (in observing Steinberg's tenets) differs from how they were raised (some found it difficult to break from the familiar, but others experienced a liberating victory). Particularly noteworthy segments include “What You Do Matters” (pointing out that, from an early age, kids observe caregivers' actions, which often speak much more loudly than words) and “Be Consistent” and “Explain Your Rules and Decisions,” designed to build youngsters' integrity and confidence as they develop. Sure to benefit new parents or those struggling with how to handle certain developmental stages, this is highly recommended. Aud: P. (C. Block)