Playful Parenting
by Lawrence J. Cohen
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Book Reviews of Playful Parenting
Book Review: The only parenting book anyone needs past age 1.
Summary: 5 Stars
Wow. There's no real way to describe how deep and rich this book is. The basic concept is so simple, and even just reading the first chapter changed my attitude toward interacting with and disciplining my toddler. But then the more you read the more you really understand just how desperately kids need and want our connection, and that many of the traditional ways of disciplining kids (even "positive parenting" methods like time-outs) just create distance and can backfire. So, of course it works with a toddler. I mean, the biggest problems with toddlers are changing their diapers without fits and getting them to stop throwing food off the high chair. But it also works with older kids. I've been trying the tips out on all the bigger kids at the playground and have been amazed at the results. It's basically just reframing the way you see kids and what their motivations are.
Some reviewers have commented that Cohen talks too much about what he's done. Well, of course he has! He's a therapist who uses play. By telling his own stories about what he's done with clients and with his own daughter, it gives you examples of how to think on your feet and figure out what a kid needs without being a therapist yourself.
I have been recommendiing this book to every I know, even people who aren't parents but just interact with kids. I just think that if everyone who deals with kids could read this book it would make everything so much easier and more fun for the adults *and* the kids. And that we'd all have closer connections with our family members. So this is going to be my standard gift for people having children from now on. It's definitely worth the money.
Book Review: Connecting through Playful Parenting
Summary: 5 Stars
In Playful Parenting, Larry Cohen says, "Unlike many personality changes we might like to make, better playing skills can be pretty easily learned." I can confirm that what he says is true. I wasn't a very playful parent, but since reading Playful Parenting and doing workshops with Larry, I'm becoming a very playful grandparent. To my delight, and the delight of my grandchildren and their friends, I'm become pretty good at connecting through play, roughhousing, and silliness.
As a parent, a grandparent, a parent educator, and the author of Connection Parenting, Playful Parenting is one of my top favorite parenting books. I recommend Playful Parenting in all my parenting talks and classes and the parents who read it always enthusiastically report wonderful changes in their relationships with their children.
Reading and practicing Playful Parenting taught me that being playful is one of the most powerful ways we can connect with children. The smiles, giggles, laughter, affection, and connection that bubble up when we are playful with children can change the moment, the day, even our whole relationship with a child. I consider Playful Parenting required reading for all adults who want to connect with the children in their life.
I thank you, Larry, both personally and professionally, for all that I have learned, and now teach, about connecting with children through being more playful.
Book Review: Really only for little kids
Summary: 2 Stars
The book is severely lacking in ideas for any child over the age of 10.
Most of the "playful parenting" ideas are targeted towards toddler/preschool through early elementary years, with very little beyond that age group.
More than half the book is about him and his daughter, or him and his child patients. Although I'm not sure how old his daughter is now, it seems like she was pretty young when he wrote the book; so we don't know how what kind of person she grows up to be. He doesn't really offer any long-term benefit of playful parenting, such as, will the child grow to be a respectful, functioning human being.
The children he "plays" with seem quite verbally abusive to him. He says that it is alright, go along with it because a 4 year old calling you poopyhead or idiot means that is how they feel. Instead of correcting them in a friendly way, turn it into a game where they continue to call you the bad name. What kind of advise is that? At what point in his playful parenting approach does the children learn positive social interaction and appropriate behavior?
It is a good book if you have little kids and you don't know how to play with them, or have kind of a "stuffy" or overly strict personality, but beyond that, it might be better to look somewhere else for parenting advice.
Book Review: The most HELPFUL parenting book out there
Summary: 5 Stars
I can't believe I didn't read this book sooner! For whatever reason, I was resistant to reading this book, probably because I thought it would make me feel guilty for not playing with my kids enough. What a fool am I! This book helped me to really realize what a powerful tool play is in the parenting toolbox. After reading this book, I finally understood how to make clean-up and leaving the house FUN, heretofore, two of the most difficult times of the day for us. I have three kids ages 6 and under and having all of them cheerfully putting on their own shoes and actually racing to the car, laughing, is simply not something I ever thought possible. But thanks to Playful Parenting, it is.
I'm not doing the book justice by giving such a small example, the book encompasses so much more than just making something into a game. It's really a whole philosophy of parenting (very Alfie Kohn friendly, for those Unconditional Parenting fans out there). Honestly, I can't imagine anyone reading this and not coming away a better parent. And the best part is that you'll actually have fun following his advice
Book Review: The BEST Parenting Book Around
Summary: 5 Stars
I whole heartedly recommend this book to ALL parents. Dr. Cohen's ideas completely changed the tone of our household. We were going through a very difficult phase with our 3 year old that was turning into a downward spiral of negativity. Nobody liked the way things were going. We'd read a mountain of "discipline" books, none of which was helpful in our situation. However, reading & following through on Dr. Cohen's book helped us completely turn our situation around - we now have a very HAPPY, joy-filled and fun home. Using the suggestions in this book I was better able to understand my daughter's behavior and I used many of his suggestions to connect with her. She has literally *blossomed* under this treatment - she's just a fantastic, happy little girl. I am SO grateful to Dr. Cohen - he has helped me to become a much, much better parent and has given us a whole arsenal of wonderful parenting tools to help shape our children in very positive ways. If I could pick only one book on parenting and discipline, this would be it.