Reviews (4)

A Groundbreaking Classic on Young Child Development
This first volume of John Bowlby's trilogy on Attachment and Loss expands and builds upon an article he published in 1958 in the International Journal of Psycho-Analysis titled "The Nature of the Child's Tie to His Mother", which is perhaps a more telling title than that of the book itself. Attachment, as a technical term in behavioural biology, is first used in describing instinctive mother-following behaviours of young mammals and birds (first observed and reported in delightful accounts by the Austrian ethologist Konrad Lorenz in the 1930's).
Seminal work.Not yet surpassed
The work of John Bowlby (who was most certainly not a Behaviorist) is the work of genius.His importance in the field of developmental psychology has yet to be surpassed.It cannot be minimized.

Obsolete Perspective and "Bad Science"
This is a behaviorists attempt to explain a concept that has been recognized by poets for millennia;"love."While the behaviorist's perspective is perhaps a valid one, Bowlby attempts to "prove" the existence of a "primary attachment" (a concept first advanced by Freud in 1912)through a science experiment not worthy of a 7th grader.He then attempts to support that "proof" with anecdotal evidence.Virtually every premise presented by Bowlby was destroyed by the work of Dr. Michael Lamb shortly after Bowlby published "Attachment" (See "The Role of Father").Read this book if you have insomnia.But under NO circumstances should this book be viewed as authoritative in the development of children. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Child Psychology    2. Developmental - Child    3. Psychological Aspects Of Bereavement    4. Psychology    5. Psychotherapy - Child & Adolescent    6. Child & developmental psychology    7. Psychiatry   

Subjects:  1. Child development    2. Developmental - Child    3. Family    4. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    5. Family relationships    6. Infants    7. Infants & Toddlers - Infants    8. Life Stages - Infants & Toddlers/Infants    9. Mental Health    10. Parent and infant    11. Psychology    12. Sociology    13. Child & developmental psychology    14. Psychology & Psychiatry / Child Development    15. Social, group or collective psychology   

Editorial Review

Today's responsible parents strive to raise children with healthy egos. But for a lot of adults, the word "ego" carries the negative connotation of "narcissism." Traditionally, the "good" child learned self-control, self-denial and placed parental needs and wishes first. If those needs were abusive to the child, there was no choice but to block the hurtful behavior in order to hold onto adults who were loved and needed.Miller recognized the link between certain emotional problems in adulthood and repressed childhood anguish. Her ideas in this pioneering study are a must-read for anyone seeking truth about the roots of suffering in childhood. ... Read more

Reviews (17)

Frustrating But Extremely Valuable
It is unsurprising that Alice Miller's Drama of the Gifted Child has met with a certain amount of hostility from both the psychiatry and psychotherapy establishments. After all, she frowns both on the use of drugs and cognitive-behavioral techniques as treatments for anxiety--especially in children. She even suggests that those who would use such remedies may have unaddressed psychological problems of their own. What's worse, she appeals to no empirical studies (double-blind or not) in reaching these conclusions; in fact, a reader might be reluctant to conclude from this book that Miller would even be capable of assessing the value of a careful scientific study of this or that anti-anxiety treatment. So, as I've indicated above, this book is often very frustrating. But Miller's work is also quite valuable, at least in my opinion. Like Freud's contemporary Wilhelm Stekel, Miller may not be a systematic theoretician, but her extensive clinical experience has provided her with several important insights that I believe may be useful, particularly to parents of anxious children.
Beware
If you are like me:if you have a LOT of emotional baggage, and have only begun to scratch the surface of the damage done to your fragile psyche in early childhood, please take seriously this warning.
The core of much suffering
A book which goes straight to the essence of much of today's suffering...narcisistic disturbances as not one amongst many disturbances, but the one underlying them all.It is a book for everyone, and most especially for young parents, as the newborn child makes us live again all our unresolved stuff. This book should be recommended as educational material as it enlightens parents to choose not to repeat their own stories with their children. Excellent. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cognitive Psychology    2. Developmental Psychology    3. Movements - Psychoanalysis    4. Narcissism    5. Psychology    6. Psychology, Pathological    7. Psychotherapy - Child & Adolescent    8. Self-esteem    9. Child & developmental psychology   

Reviews (37)

Before buying this book, Google for "Asperger Syndrome"
If you are interested in this book, good chances you have a child with Asperger Syndrome or PDD-NOS. You should familiarize yourself with these topics before labeling him/her an Einstein.

Bright Children May be Autistic...
This book is comfort food for parents who don't want to think that their brilliant child might ALSO be autistic.It happens.Deal.
Very interesting
I found this book facsinating and spoke so directly to my situation it seems.Really wonderful! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Family & Relationships    2. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    3. Family/Marriage    4. General    5. Parenting - Child Rearing    6. Advice on parenting    7. Child & developmental psychology    8. Parenting    9. Science   

Subjects:  1. Abuse - General    2. Assessment, Testing & Measurement    3. Child abuse    4. Communicative competence in ch    5. Communicative competence in children    6. Human Services    7. Interviewing in child abuse    8. Investigation    9. Psychology    10. Psychotherapy - Child & Adolescent    11. Social Work    12. Sociology    13. Child & developmental psychology    14. Counselling    15. Family & Relationships-Abuse - General    16. Psychology & Psychiatry / Interpersonal Relations    17. Psychology-Assessment, Testing & Measurement    18. Sexual abuse    19. Social Science / Social Work   

Editorial Review

Miller explores the backgrounds of extreme cases of self-destructive and violent individuals to further her theories on longterm consequences of abusive childrearing. Her conclusions about what creates a drug addict, a murderer, even a Hitler, stray far from psychoanalytic dogma about human nature. Miller paints a jolting picture of the violent world each generation helps shape when traditional upbringing, with its hidden cruelty, is perpetuated. She also offers a way out by striving to resensitize the child in the adult, to unlock an emotional life frozen in repression. ... Read more

Reviews (17)

Permission to Know
I remember reading "Great Expectations" in school and feeling a shock of recognition when the narrator mentioned that he'd been "brought up by hand." I realized I had been brought up by hand too; by the palm of the hand, the back of the hand, or whatever implement was near enough for that hand to grab and swing. After the smack or swat came the welts and the tears and then the command to "stop crying or I'll give you something to cry about." As a rule, a natural response to that pain and humiliation was not allowed. Nor was any other expression of frustration or anger. Not only did I not have a right not be physically harmed, but I didn't have a right to my feelings about either.
Liberation from destructive beliefs
"For Your Own Good" is a powerful book about the inhuman, monstrous treatment of children that so many people and societies practice, accept and defend. It brings about the vital understanding that we must change how we treat our children and that we must end and abolish the violence directed against them in order to create a world without violence. It makes us realize that children are the most vulnerable, weak human beings, who need respect, love, compassion, forgiveness and mercy. It helps us see that we must take seriously our own childhood pain so that we may overcome its consequences and grow as parents. Alice Miller Explicates Hitler, But Not Herself
This is the classic book in which Alice Miller explicates Adolf Hitler and thereby disproves that human behavior can be innately evil.She recognizes correctly that if she can prove that the atrocious behavior of the most vicious monster of the twentieth century was motivated by his own unresolved childhood trauma, then she will also prove that so too is everyone else's atrocious behavior.Through the combination of her audacity, emotional insight, and analytic scholarly ability she most certainly succeeds, but the problem is, she still hasn't figured out how to explicate herself.
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Subjects:  1. Child rearing    2. Developmental - Child    3. Discipline of children    4. Parenting - General    5. Psychological aspects    6. Psychology    7. Violence   

Subjects:  1. Infant Psychology    2. Movements - Psychoanalysis    3. Psychoanalysis    4. Psychology    5. Psychotherapy - Child & Adolescent   

Editorial Review

Preeminent child psychologist, Michael Thompson is renowned for hisefforts to educate and assist parents with sons. First with Read more

Reviews (10)

This Book is Sexist and Stereotypes Fathers as Incompetent

Michael Thompson....not his greatest work
This book was a good information book to read.It did not offer the type of insights that I Was looking for when I bought this book.

Useful, practical, inspring advice!
What a wondeful book! I have 3 sons (aged 15, 11 and 4 years) and so many of the questions and answers here were relevant to things they are doing or have done and how I have felt about things. I found the advice very sensible and up to date and reassuring. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Boys    2. Developmental - Child    3. Developmental - General    4. Emotions in children    5. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    6. Men's Studies - General    7. Parenting - General    8. Psychology    9. Sex role in children    10. Social conditions    11. Family & Relationships / Parenting   

Subjects:  1. Autism    2. Autism in children    3. Autistic children    4. Clinical Psychology    5. Developmental - Child    6. Developmental Pediatrics    7. Developmental disabilities    8. Developmentally disabled child    9. Mental Illness    10. Pediatrics    11. Psychology    12. Psychopathology - Abnormal    13. Psychopathology - Autism    14. Services for    15. Neurology & clinical neurophysiology    16. Psychology & Psychiatry / Clinical Psychology   

Reviews (1)

A Child's Work: The Importance of Fantasy Play
I enjoy all of Vivian Paley's books, but this one is especially timely and pertinent since I am part of a kindergarten readiness transition team for a school district in Pennsylvania.Ms. Paley is very clear about the importance of playduring the early childhood years and brings her beliefs across in a simple and convincing format.I bought a copy for each member of our team with the hope that it will illicit thoughtful discussion and lead us toward some needed changes in our views of what is significant in our relationships, interactions and guidance of young children as we make policies, and set out to prepare children for elementary school and beyond. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Child Development    2. Developmental - Child    3. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    4. Psychology    5. Psychotherapy - Child & Adolescent    6. Child & developmental psychology    7. Psychology & Psychiatry / Child Development   

Editorial Review

Only 30 minutes old, and a baby stares at her mother'sface, then begins maneuvering downward toward mom's nipple. A few days old, and shecan track a ball, and "dialogue" with her limbs. Newborns are extraordinary beings, with innate abilities far beyond what is commonly believed. In Read more

Reviews (12)

Great for health care professionals, too!
I'm a pediatrician, and I recommend this book, not only to new parents, but also to health care professionals. This fascinating work is basically an annotated illustrated bibliography to the research in this field. Any professional who wants to know more can take this work as a wonderful, paradigm-shifting and enlightening starting point, and follow the cited works to further work.
The best book you can read during pregnancy!
This was by far the best book I've read during pregnancy. It's a fast and interesting read with great information and research that both my husband and I found equally exciting and valuable. I can't stop telling people about it. It's the only book I've read that doesn't preach about the wrong and right way to do things, but offers research to show how intelligent and aware newborns are. It is much less about the parents and much more about the babies. I would highly recommend this to anyone expecting a new baby in their family.

Interesting
The photos in this book are great, however, I wish they weren't all in black and white.Great information and research done on newborns.Worth purchasing. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Care    2. Child Care/Parenting    3. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    4. Infants    5. Infants (Newborn)    6. Life Stages - Infants & Toddlers/Infants    7. Psychology    8. Child & developmental psychology    9. Human growth & development    10. Popular science    11. Pregnancy, birth & baby care   

Editorial Review

In 1998, a fierce debate was sparked by Judith Rich Harris's Read more

Reviews (15)

All Diamonds In The Rough Need Polishing
This book is one of the gems -- a diamond in the rough -- on parenting. Written in simple language, it's the "basic course" on "HOW TO RAISE KIDS WITH SOLID CHARACTER, STRONG MINDS, AND CARING HEARTS". So read, use, and understand. Hmm. Understand? What do you do when the kids ask, "WHY?"! Hmm. You'll need a book that makes you understand -- in simple language -- the philosophy of WHY character counts, of right and wrong, of good and evil, of moral and immoral, and of ethical and unethical. The school that exists to teach the "advanced course" in "HOW TO RAISE KIDS WITH SOLID CHARACTER, STRONG, MINDS, AND CARING HEARTS" is West Point. The only book that explains the philosophy behind all the "WHYS" -- in simple language -- is the book titled "WEST POINT", by Norman Thomas Remick. It's THE companion book for all how-to books and "courses", basic or advanced, on parenting and character. It will become kind of an encyclopedia that you can refer to for explaining "WHY?" to your kids. And it will give Borba's diamond in the rough its required polish.

All Diamonds In The Rough Need Polishing
This book is one of the gems -- a diamond in the rough -- on parenting. Written in simple language, it's the "basic course" on "HOW TO RAISE KIDS WITH SOLID CHARACTER, STRONG MINDS, AND CARING HEARTS". So read, use, and understand. Hmm. Understand? What do you do when the kids ask, "WHY?"! Hmm. You'll need a book that makes you understand -- in simple language -- the philosophy of WHY character counts, of right and wrong, of good and evil, of moral and immoral, and of ethical and unethical. The school that exists to teach the "advanced course" in "HOW TO RAISE KIDS WITH SOLID CHARACTER, STRONG, MINDS, AND CARING HEARTS" is West Point. The only book that explains the philosophy behind all the "WHYS" -- in simple language -- is the book titled "WEST POINT", by Norman Thomas Remick. It's THE companion book for all how-to books and "courses", basic or advanced, on parenting and character. It will become kind of an encyclopedia that you can refer to for explaining "WHY?" to your kids. And it will give Borba's diamond in the rough its required polish.

More Than A Book... It's A Handbook
Parents Do Make a Difference is more than a book, it's a handbook. Dr. Borba uses extensive use of checklists, exercises, helpful suggestions and real life examples to help parents teach the skills of personal, emotional and motivational success to their children.Read more

Subjects:  1. Child Care/Parenting    2. Child Psychology    3. Child rearing    4. Ethics & Morals    5. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    6. Family Psychology    7. General    8. Parenting - General    9. Psychology    10. Psychotherapy - Child & Adolescent    11. Self-actualization (Psychology    12. Self-actualization (Psychology) in children    13. Self-confidence in children    14. Self-realization    15. Social Psychology    16. Success in children    17. Child & developmental psychology    18. Child care & upbringing    19. Psychology & Psychiatry / Developmental Psychology    20. Parenting   

Subjects:  1. Education    2. Education / Teaching    3. Language Experience Approach    4. Teaching Methods & Materials - General    5. Child & developmental psychology    6. Education / Teaching Methods & Materials / General    7. English    8. English language: reading skills    9. Language acquisition    10. Teaching of a specific subject   

Reviews (1)

Cutting edge information for counseling children.
Counseling and Psychotherapy with Children and Adolescents, Third Edition has been a valuable addition to my personal llibrary. As a graduate student, I am constantly in search of state-of-the-art resources that I feel will enhance my skills once I begin to practice. Every grad. student/novice counselor needs to be aware of the major schools of thought as theory drives practice. This book offers the reader the chance to become familiar with the latest thinking and practice using the seven major approaches to counseling and psychotherapeutic interventions with children and adolescents. Read more

Subjects:  1. Adolescent psychotherapy    2. Child psychotherapy    3. Children    4. Clinical Child Psychology    5. Counseling - General    6. Counseling of    7. Developmental - Adolescent    8. Education    9. Psychiatry - Child & Adolescent    10. Psychology    11. Psychopathology - Compulsive Behavior    12. Psychotherapy - Child & Adolescent    13. Psychotherapy - General    14. School Psychology    15. Teenagers    16. Child & developmental psychology    17. Psychology & Psychiatry / Child Psychology    18. Psychotherapy   

Reviews (8)

Attention Deficit Disorder
I found this book informative with very current, new ideas.I knew that ADD ran in our family but after reading this book, I realize that there are manifestations of it that I had never considered ADD.Now I realize that even more of us have this condition.We present with diverse symptoms, abilities and coping strategies but according to this book they are caused by the same types of brain problems. That makes very good sense to me.It explains a great deal. I am 63 years old and have known 6 generations of my family from my great grandfather to my grandchildren.There are some with ADD in each generation.What I used to think of as quirks I now realize are ADD traits. This book has allowed me to be gentler on myself and members of my family.I bought 4 copies of this book and am giving them to family members.I hope that they will find this information as helpful as I have.

Excellent and Authoritative
The author of this wonderful book combines neuroscience and phychology to help dispel some the myths people have surrounding Attention Deficit Disorder. I could hardly put it down and often found myself lost within the pages for minutes on end. Much better than 'Driven to Distraction' IMO. Damn, what time was that meeting tomorrow? Oh yeah, I actually bought this for a family member who suffers from ADHD, so the doctor says. I'm thinking about buying a copy for everyone in my immediate family and probobly even a few distant cousins I haven't seen in years. Man, I wonder how old Doris is now anyway. Wasn't she the one that was adopted? No, now that I think about it I'm pretty sure that was Greg. Doris must have been the one with the irritable bowel.
A 10 STAR BOOK!
OUTSTANDING BOOK!I recommend this book to EVERYONE interested in the most current information on ADD and ADHD.Dr. Brown uses the term "ADD syndrome" to refer to a cluster of impairments in the management system of the mind. As a femaleadult with ADD and a high school resource specialist, I have experienced the effects of this syndrome both personally and professionally.As an educator who sees the actions of students with ADD frequently misunderstood by their teachers, I believe the information in this book will make a huge difference for students in the classrooms of the teachers who read it; Dr. Brown explains not only how these impairments affect behavior and time management, but more importantly, how they can affect reading, written expression, math, and memory. As a person with ADD, I especially liked his concept of ADD syndrome. Dr. Brown explains the complexity of this syndrome in an easy to read and easy to understand format.This book is for everyone who has been touched by someone with ADD: parents, friends, spouses, siblings, relatives, teachers, doctors, psychologists, and especially, any person who has ADD. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity    2. Attention-deficit disorder in adults    3. Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder    4. Developmental - Adulthood & Aging    5. Developmental - Child    6. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    7. General    8. Learning Disabilities    9. Parenting - Hyperactivity    10. Psychology    11. Diseases & disorders    12. Health & Fitness / General   

Reviews (2)

One Of the very best books available on such a delicate topic
I researched for many days every book avalable on this subject, as my husband left me a young widow at 26, dying very suddenly and tragically of a brain annuerisym in the middle of the night, beside me in the car - two weeks before Thanksgiving. Although I am cursed that I have not been left with our own child, he did leave behind several nieces and nephews profoundly attached to him; he was the most loving and adoring man toward children, much like one himself, which is why they loved him so...... so I knew when he died, looking at their faces they simply could not understand, - let alone cope or come to terms.... to make matters worse, the rest of the family demanded I not cry or show emotion in front of them - "Don't upset the children"...... what a terrible mistake. Hiding your emotions from such delicate and tender minds teaches them to hide and be confused about their own feelings.It was so painful for me to not only lose him, but feel I could not have or give support to those who suffered with me. An Important Book For Every Teacher To Have
Learning to cope with difficult emotions is a most important achievement for young children who are experiencing grief from some form of loss. The experience of death needs an adequate explanation using correct terms and simply stated definitions.When vague terms are used, children become confused. When children are given the opportunity to ask questions and to express feelings of grief through physical and creative activities, they are able to develop healthy coping patterns that will continue through adulthood.
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Subjects:  1. Children's 9-12 - Recovery    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Nonfiction    3. Children: Grades 3-4    4. Psychology    5. Social Issues - Death & Dying    6. Social Situations - Death & Dying    7. Child care & upbringing    8. Juvenile Fiction / General   

Reviews (2)

Easy to read and easy to implement.
It's super organized. Very structured. Helps a lot to get ideas that are easily to put into practice.

An essential tool for therapists working with managed care
This planner is a wonderful resource to use when developing treatment plans for child clients.It's ease of use and broad range of goals and specific interventions are quite useful ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Adolescent Psychiatry    2. Adolescent psychotherapy    3. Child Psychiatry    4. Child psychotherapy    5. Health/Fitness    6. Pediatrics    7. Psychology    8. Psychotherapy - Child & Adolescent    9. Child & developmental psychology    10. Paediatric medicine    11. Psychotherapy   

Reviews (1)

THIS IS A STUDY GUIDE!!!
This is not the actual book.This is a study guide that goes with the book.Half of it is blank pages for you to write notes.Be warned.Save your money!!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Developmental - Lifespan Development    2. Developmental psychology    3. Psychology    4. Textbooks    5. Child & developmental psychology    6. Psychology / Developmental / Lifespan Development   

Reviews (7)

Great Visualizations!
Lots of "I am calm" and "I am relaxed" affirmations. Very good selection of "scripts" which are short visualizations meant to relax children. This is very mainstream and a great way to introduce children to relaxation. Great emphasis on breathing however, to teach the mechanics of proper breathing, I have coupled this with Indigo Dreams and The Children's Awareness Curriculum. The kids really enjoy relaxing and love talking about the visualizations in Ready Set Relax. Great way to teach children, especially if you are short on time.
Just right relaxation tool
This book offers many wonderful tools to help children relax, reinforce their value, and visualize a fantastic episode of imagination. It is organized and cross referenced which makes it easy to quickly find just the right message of the day. I teach yoga to 5th graders who now beg for "relaxation at the end of class". Some of the kids have ADHD, autism, and other learning differences. This has been one tool that will never get old or redundant. It spans a broad age range. I have coordinated some of the stories a week before big achievement tests which seems to help the kids with a bit of empowerment. Nothing speaks to the success of my class like having children ask to borrow my books, DVDs, or my music. I would like to know of a better book or another book like this one since it has been such a huge hit with everyone.

Ready, Set, Relax enriches education...
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