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Have a New Kid by Friday

summary ofHave a New Kid by FridayBook by Kevin Leman, PhD

15 min
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You’ll learn

  • Why permissiveness degrades your child's potential
  • Practical tips on changing your kid's behavior
  • How to identify your parenting style
  • Methods for cultivating self-worth in your children

first KEY POINT

Parents must guide their children, not serve them

Nowadays, parenting culture often places children in positions of authority. Many kids believe they are entitled to everything and that others, including their parents, owe them something.Frequent tantrums and door slamming can leave parents reaching for chamomile tea to soothe their nerves. Like caring for a newborn, parents often feel on edge when their child enters puberty. Even toddlers can cause emotional distress for their parents, with comments like “I hate you!” repeated multiple times a day.

Raising a child is challenging and will differ with the kid's age.

One common mistake many parents make while raising their children is assuming too much responsibility for their child's life. For instance, parents may feel compelled to cater to their child's every desire, such as serving pancakes for breakfast instead of oatmeal to avoid a morning tantrum. However, parents need to maintain healthy authority over their child's life. If the child refuses, skips breakfast, and goes to school hungry, it's not the end of the world.It's essential to teach your child that success in life requires effort. You, as a parent, must set an example for your children, even if it means employing tough love and allowing them to struggle and experience failure, as it will help them develop a healthy emotional range. By tempering their character in childhood when their mind is flexible, they will be equipped to better navigate life's challenges in the future.If you want to instill gratitude, responsibility, and love in your children instead of entitlement and selfishness, this one-week parenting marathon is for you. In just five days, from Monday through Friday, you can transform your parenting style by implementing simple yet effective techniques to create a harmonious and happy family.Are you ready to get started? Let's begin!

second KEY POINT

Monday: Be the parent your child needs before being their friend

Many parents often find themselves in power struggles with their children because they have prioritized being a friend over being a parent. As a result, they miss their opportunity to teach their child essential lessons on being a self-sufficient and confident adult.For instance, when a child throws a tantrum in the mall, most parents may feel embarrassed and attempt to appease the child by buying them a different toy instead of the desired expensive LEGO set. Unfortunately, the child learns they can get what they want through misbehaving, and parents reinforce this negative behavior by giving in.The idea is to reconstruct their mindset by showing that such aggressive behavior won't get them anywhere.So, what can you do as a parent? Follow these steps every time your child misbehaves or throws a tantrum:1. Take a deep breath and remain calm. Decide on a strategy.
2. Address your child in a calm and matter-of-fact voice, and convey that their behavior is unacceptable. Say it only once.
3. Turn around and walk away.Consistency is the key to making this strategy effective. If you use this technique once and give in to your child's demands the next time, you will only worsen the situation. While it may require effort at first, it is essential to remain firm no matter how much your child pleads or yells. Walk away and shift your focus to maintain consistency.Furthermore, be aware of the reasons behind your child's disruptive behavior. Most often, such behavior results from the child seeking attention and obtaining it through negative means, such as kicking, spitting, swearing, or yelling. Instead, parents should provide their children with healthy attention and positive reinforcement regularly to fulfill their emotional needs and promote positive behavior.

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first KEY POINT

Tuesday: Transforming yourself is key to changing your child

second KEY POINT

Wednesday: the most effective parenting style is the balanced one

third KEY POINT

Thursday: self-esteem is temporary — self-worth is worthwhile

fourth KEY POINT

Friday: combine all the methods and act

fifth KEY POINT

Parenting 101: no problem is too little to ignore

sixth KEY POINT

Conclusion

About the author

Dr. Kevin Leman is a psychologist, New York Times bestselling author of over 50 books, educator, humorist, and speaker. His published works primarily focus on parenting, marriage, and family life.

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Frequently asked questions

What is 'Have a New Kid by Friday: How To Change Your Child’s Attitude, Behavior and Character in 5 Days' about?

'Have a New Kid by Friday' by Dr. Kevin Leman offers practical strategies for parents aiming to improve their children's behavior and attitudes in just five days. This book emphasizes the importance of establishing boundaries, fostering respect, and building positive character traits through actionable steps.

What are the key takeaways from 'Have a New Kid by Friday: How To Change Your Child’s Attitude, Behavior and Character in 5 Days'?

Key takeaways from this book include the importance of consistency in parenting, the influence of effective communication, and the necessity of setting clear expectations for children. Dr. Leman also highlights the transformative power of a positive parent-child relationship in shaping desirable behaviors.

Is 'Have a New Kid by Friday: How To Change Your Child’s Attitude, Behavior and Character in 5 Days' worth reading?

Yes, 'Have a New Kid by Friday' is considered worth reading, especially for parents seeking straightforward advice on behavior management. The book's practical tips and relatable examples make it a valuable resource for those looking to enhance their parenting skills.

How many pages is 'Have a New Kid by Friday: How To Change Your Child’s Attitude, Behavior and Character in 5 Days' and when was it published?

'Have a New Kid by Friday' contains approximately 224 pages and was published in 2012. This concise yet informative book allows parents to quickly grasp and implement effective parenting techniques.

Who is the author of 'Have a New Kid by Friday: How To Change Your Child’s Attitude, Behavior and Character in 5 Days'?

The author of 'Have a New Kid by Friday' is Dr. Kevin Leman, a renowned psychologist and parenting expert with extensive experience in family dynamics. His approachable writing style and proven techniques resonate with parents seeking to foster better behavior in their children.