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Making Children Mind Without Losing Yours Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

Kevin Leman (Author), Chris Fabry (Narrator), Oasis Audio (Publisher)
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 949 ratings
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We have seen the enemy...and they are small. If anyone understands why children behave the way they do, it's psychologist and best-selling author Dr. Kevin Leman. Equipping you with seven principles of Reality Discipline, this father of five shows you how to get kids to do what you want them to do, foil finicky eaters, turn off temper tantrums and minimize sibling rivalries, use authority and decisiveness to show your kids you're not a pushover, know when to take the little buzzards by the beak, set suitable allowances, curfews, and privileges, and put yourself back in the driver's seat!
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  1. Listening Length
    7 hours and 10 minutes
  2. Author
    Kevin Leman
  3. Narrator
    Chris Fabry
  4. Audible release date
    June 8, 2009
  5. Language
    English
  6. Publisher
    Oasis Audio
  7. ASIN
    B002CN8PQY
  8. Version
    Unabridged
  9. Program Type
    Audiobook
  10. See all details
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Product details

Listening Length 7 hours and 10 minutes
Author Kevin Leman
Narrator Chris Fabry
Audible.com Release Date June 08, 2009
Publisher Oasis Audio
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B002CN8PQY
Best Sellers Rank #63,109 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#791 in Parenting & Families (Audible Books & Originals)
#1,687 in Relationships (Audible Books & Originals)
#1,841 in Parenting (Books)

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
949 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book's advice practical and helpful for parents with kids 2 or older. They describe it as an excellent read with sound idioms and common sense lessons on how to raise kids. The humor and relatable stories are appreciated. Overall, customers find the book quiet and helpful in reducing noise levels in their homes.

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AdviceReadabilityHumorNoise level
112 customers mention "Advice"112 positive0 negative

Customers find the advice in the book practical and helpful. It offers practical and knowledgeable advice on coping with problems and solutions for all stages of raising children. The stories and advice are relatable and actionable, though some feel the overall strategies lack clout.

"...Plus it offers insight to help you figure out any situation you may come across. Excellent for parents, grandparents, all care givers!" Read more

"...The child can make their own decisions (except those that compromise health, or well-being) all the while loving, supporting and encouraging them...." Read more

"...common sense for people with common sense, but there are many good nuggets of wisdom and techniques to be found that make it a worthwhile purchase...." Read more

"...is the first psychologist I have found that clearly explains the spectrum of disciplining theory; beginning with "permissive parenting"..." Read more

106 customers mention "Readability"100 positive6 negative

Customers find the book easy to read and understand. They say it's a great read for parents, especially first-time or struggling parents. The idiom is sound, and the common sense lessons are useful. Readers appreciate the author's writing style and the relatable examples.

"I found this to be the best of many parenting books I tried as a parent and now but then for struggling moms...." Read more

"...I now give it as a give to new parents. It's easy to read and understand, and easy to relate to the examples given...." Read more

"...Thanks so much for a wonderful book!" Read more

"Good book when looking for ideas on parenting strategies. There’s never any one size fits all but this definitely helped me in a few areas." Read more

10 customers mention "Humor"10 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the humor in the book. They find it relatable and appreciate the advice and wisdom on raising kids.

"...Love Kevin’s writing style filled with humor and useful information. You’ll want to read this every chance you get...." Read more

"...the fact that he has raised kids of his own and that he has a great sense of humor...." Read more

"Dr. Kevin Leman writes a straight forward, no - nonsense book with humor and the love of God :)..." Read more

"...It gave a lot of good ideas to help with child rearing and had a lot of humor...." Read more

5 customers mention "Noise level"5 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's quietness. They find it reduces yelling and screaming, making their homes more peaceful.

"...There's less whining, and more cooperation and happiness in our home...." Read more

"...No more yelling and screaming, and the process encourages my child to think about his actions and actively come up with ways to do better...." Read more

"...I'm thankful I've read them because my house is a much calmer place now. I gotta remember that they feed off my energy so I've gotta keep it light...." Read more

"Throws remarkable heat for the size and is quiet." Read more

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Top reviews from the United States

  • Lynreader
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderfully helpful
    Reviewed in the United States on October 19, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I found this to be the best of many parenting books I tried as a parent and now but then for struggling moms.
    I have an Asperger's autism ADHD child and an AD OCD sensory overload child. This book helped me bring peaceful success to our lives.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Irene Walters
    5.0 out of 5 stars A must-read for anyone caring for kids.
    Reviewed in the United States on November 1, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    I discovered this book about 30 years ago when I had a "high energy" child. It was a game changer. I now give it as a give to new parents. It's easy to read and understand, and easy to relate to the examples given. Plus it offers insight to help you figure out any situation you may come across. Excellent for parents, grandparents, all care givers!
    2 people found this helpful
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  • homeschool_mama
    5.0 out of 5 stars The Only Parenting Book You'll Need!
    Reviewed in the United States on May 28, 2012
    Verified Purchase
    Dr. Leman hit the nail on the head! I've started using the method on my own child and I can already start to see improvements. There's less whining, and more cooperation and happiness in our home. I have read many Christian conservative parenting books that advocate the use of the rod, cited in the Bible as a punishment tool for spanking, but Dr. Leman clarifies this often misquoted passage in scripture. He defines the use of the rod, not to be a punishing tool, but a guiding tool just as shepherds used it for their sheep. "Thy rod and they staff they COMFORT me." When I was a child, I never remember a spanking to be comforting! However, he does believe in spanking to be used in moderation during the younger years, before the child is old enough to fully comprehend the wrongness of their actions. This book focuses on the older child, but he does briefly touch on the infant and toddler years.

    He emphasizes discipline over punishment using a method he calls Reality Discipline. The child can make their own decisions (except those that compromise health, or well-being) all the while loving, supporting and encouraging them. He learns by suffering the consequences of the decisions he makes. For example, if a child refuses to eat the food you make him for dinner, take the plate away and throw the food in the trash. Instead of spanking, forcing, bribing, or tempting with dessert, the child will have to face the consequences. Dinner is over. The child will go to bed without dinner that night, but will not make that mistake twice! He believes in letting children fail and through their failure, they will learn to do better next time. Dr. Leman rightly believes that it's better to get to the heart of your child by correcting the wrong behavior, and not punishing with a temporary Band-Aid spanking. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!
    41 people found this helpful
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  • G. Hunt
    4.0 out of 5 stars A Father's Review
    Reviewed in the United States on October 2, 2009
    Verified Purchase
    I'm about two/thirds of the way through this book. I have two little girls - 18 months and 3 1/2 years old. Both girls are wonderful of course but the older one is stubborn, defiant and very strong willed - great traits if directed properly. To be the best possible father I'm able to be I figured I'd best educate myself through an "expert's" insights (if there is such a thing?). So about the book - so far it is recommended. Here are relevant points to consider:
    1) He speaks generally on topics such as discipline, communication, reward & punishment, etc... then includes specific examples applying his philosophy/technique. The examples are helpful and illuminating.
    2) Much of what he says is common sense for anyone who has spent the time thinking these topics through to their logical outcomes, however I find many people don't or aren't able to do so, so for them much of this will seem new and exciting. For me, much of it is simply common sense...but what book on parenting can be written that is not filled common sense?
    3) Common sense aside, there are definitely nuggets of wisdom, tools and insights to be obtained in this book - for that alone it is worth the purchase. I am putting check marks in the margin next to these nuggets for later compilation into a quick reference chart for efficiency in dealing with the issues as they arise.
    4) I don't know anything about this author except for what he discloses in the book - apparently he is a psychologist, counselor, author and puts on seminars. He is faith based so there is an underlying religious foundation for his techniques - which don't affect their effectiveness one way or another. So if you are turned off by the occasional religious reference this may bother you, BUT really if you are mature you should be able to ignore this part and just objectively accept and apply the resulting advice which is pretty good in about 90% of the examples given (in my opinion).
    5) The book mostly references the nuclear family (father and mother) but he also devotes a chapter to single parents - the fact is the techniques are the same, he is just making sure he hasn't offended or turned off those single parents by their exclusion in the prior examples.

    Conclusion - book is not perfect. Much in it is common sense for people with common sense, but there are many good nuggets of wisdom and techniques to be found that make it a worthwhile purchase. There are religious references so if you are not mature enough to ignore them and they offend you don't bother buying this book. For the rest of us who realize that while we may already have many of the answers we don't have them all and we want to improve our parenting skills - it is recommended.
    40 people found this helpful
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  • Jon W. Dunn
    5.0 out of 5 stars good reading
    Reviewed in the United States on December 28, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    The product is as advertised and was delivered when promised and in good condition.
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  • Joyous
    5.0 out of 5 stars FINALLY an explanation I can actually apply!
    Reviewed in the United States on June 30, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    I first learned about Dr. Leman through our children's school when they hosted a seminar featuring his video series. I missed a couple of weeks so I purchased the book. Dr. Leman is the first psychologist I have found that clearly explains the spectrum of disciplining theory; beginning with "permissive parenting" moving to "reality/consequence discipline" (his method) to finally "punishment/reward discipline". This is the ONLY book I have read that has helped me understand how and why to discipline my child in a constructive and consistant way using reality consequence discipline. His book is easy to understand and explains the best way to grow your children into making their own positive choices. He also gives real and useable examples of how to deal with every day battles such as sibling fighting. It immeditaely had an impact on how I interact with my children, particularly my son who is beyond strong-willed (a trait I love and appreciate, but one that at times can be challenging). I am experiencing a calm and a peace about my parenting style that I didn't fully have before reading his book. I am definitely going to read some of his others. I cannot recommend this book more highly!
    4 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Like the book
    Reviewed in Canada on January 22, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Very good book. Enjoy reading and good biblical advice
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  • Marius Vollmer
    1.0 out of 5 stars tldr: heavy handed Amero-Christian discipline, also spanking's A-Ok!
    Reviewed in Germany on May 2, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    The author literally says that its ok to use corporal punishment on your kids, had a whole half chapter on how to "lovingly" spank. So that's an automatic disqualification for being anywhere near sound parental advice. The rest of the book is fairly reasonable advice on how to get kids to behave, but with a heavy handed, "I am the God- appointed law," stereotypical American- Christian style of parenting with a healthy dash of "spare the rod, spoil the child" type bible verses. Kid wont eat? Dump his food in the trash, see if he likes feeling hungry. Kid screaming and pitching a fit? Stick 'em outside in the backyard or lock 'em in their room till they quiet down. Sure, there is plenty of advice on how to show a child to be accountable for their actions and instill values, but I still got an uneasy feeling reading this book. Instead of this book, I'd recommend " Peaceful Parents, Happy Kids" by Dr. Laura Markham. The focus of that book is more like building a cooperative team- relationship with your child and how to create win-win situations while supporting a child's development, not just getting them to do what you want, when you want.
    Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids: How to Stop Yelling and Start Connecting (The Peaceful Parent Series)
    One person found this helpful
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  • Just Julia
    5.0 out of 5 stars Should be handed out at birth
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 1, 2011
    Verified Purchase
    I have read alot of self help books for child rearing and this one by far is the best. It is a Christian book but it is very logical and makes sense. I would recommended for all and not just Christians. After reading just the first few chapters I already have a much better relationship with my 2 and a half year old. The advice is gentle but not passive, it's all about guiding children instead of scolding them or yelling at them. It really makes you think which is what is required if you want to change your approach to discipline. The main key thing I got at the start is that discipline is not punishment but guidance. The key verse used is Ephesians 6:4. I highly recommend this book; I have brought another copy to give to a friend as a gift!
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  • SuzieQ
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 28, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    All as expected not actually read it yet
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic! A must read for all parents
    Reviewed in Canada on April 11, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Fantastic! A must read for all parents, seasoned and expectant. Gives you practical strategies to use with your family. I strongly recommend it and would give this book to anyone of any religion.
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