I am about half way through this book and really enjoy it. I have read a number of parenting books but this one explains why we want to parent differently and then says a bit about how to do it. It makes a lot of sense.

I don't think this is revolutionary but at the same time I'm glad this book is out here for parents because it points out beautifully that we cannot raise self- controlled, empowered children when we are out of control as parents.We are our children's role models- they do what we do not what we scream. What are we teaching them when we scream? Most of the time to shut down and not listen an be a victim. A must-read for any parent who feels screaming or spanking is a way to raise children. The parenting key always has and will continue to be: calm and loving parents who gently set and enforce boundaries raise happy and successful children.

OK, I bought and read ScreamFree Parenting and have to say I was unimpressed. He really does not give you any "action oriented" parenting advice and I could probably boil the book down to a few bullet points:

1. Work on keeping yourself calm in the face of children melting down.
2. Give them latitude to be themselves, learn privacy, and make better choices (read very much like free-spirit parenting of the 60's, including suggestions that you allow your teenage daughter to have boys in her room with the door closed, because you trust her and respect her privacy -- yeah, right).
3. Force children to suffer consequences for their decisions, even if it's difficult for you, as the parent, to follow through with those consequences.

I can't say I would recommend this to anyone -- even getting a library copy would be a stretch, as there are much better parenting books available.

This was very helpfull. I read this book and then shared it with my daughter. My children are grown and I help with my grandchildren, I think this is a very helpful book. I really enjoyed reading it.

All this book gives you is advice that you need to make a change. There are barely any tools and advice on how to change. I need examples on what to say instead of SCREAMING my head off and threats. A waste of time and money in my opinion. Too wordy and not enough clear cut advice.

Just get the book! Easy read for both moms and dads. Don't be that crazy person who yells at the kid. Buy the book and pick up a copy of "Just tell me what to say"

I thought this was a great book on CD, one that really made me think. There are some folks who wrote 1 star reviews that wanted to have step by step directions in how to implement these ideas, but that is somewhat difficult when the main idea is to focus on yourself and not react to your child's behavior.

Also, being a parent of a two year old, I realize there are no formulas on how to be a parent, no "do this first, then do that..." kind of instruction. So if you're looking for that kind of advice, this may not be the book to read. But I doubt you're going to find that anywhere anyway.

Each chapter has reflection questions which are valuable, and ways the author tries to make his philosophy practical and useable. The author also reads the book, and has a good delivery and is very listenable.

I saw Hal on Matt Lauer.

While he may be on topic on raising kids, he is appallingly ignorant when it comes to gifted kids.

As a former gifted child and a parent of a gifted kid, I'd like to weigh in.

Gifted kids are at great risk for psychological problems if their gifts are not recongnized and they are not accelerated. What Hal proposed is not the recommended approach for dealing with gifted kids and will very likely lead to the kids being stunted emotionally and mentally.

Interested parents should look up Dr Ruf's book as a starting point on raising gifted kids, rather than listen to an ill-informed person who is out of their area of expertise.

Losing Our Minds: Gifted Children Left Behind

The idea seems very selfish; "focus on yourself first and your child second". However, it's more generous than it first appears. If I am able to focus on my needs, emotions and well being, I will be in a much better position, more optimistic, more energetic an less anxious then if I am totally child-centric. I have, as a father, become so consumed with how to "make my kids behave" that I have left myself out of the picture and lost control. (Once or twice) It's easy to say things like "YOU are making ME angry!" But really it is me allowing myself to get angry. ScreamFree really does an excellent job of making the case that we need to remain in control of ourselves and not give that control over to our children (at any age).

I don't believe the author means that our children shouldn't be in the top priorities a person has, in fact, he says as much. But if we don't take care of ourselves first we can't remain healthy, balanced and in control (at least in control of ourselves).

However, the book is a little unclear, at least in my opinion, on how best to keep the focus on ourselves and let our children make their mistakes without getting sucked into emotional traps. This, I believe, is especially the case in critical or embarrassing situations like in a library or church, and playing around hazards (like a lake or busy street). The younger the child the greater their need to have parents that will look out for them above any personal need we have at the time. Although, I will say that the story of a little 3 year old girl attempting to manipulate her father, so she wouldn't have to straighten up, or get ready for bed was very helpful. The instruction and illustration in this story was excellent.

For the most part, this book is right on target. I think that it is probably best suited for older adolescent and teenage children because they've been through and learned most of the life threatening and socially acceptable behaviors.

The book really dovetails nicely with the books from Adele Faber & Elaine Mazlish, not to mention the work of Dr. Haim Ginott.