Alternatives to Spanking: A Parent's Guide to Effective Discipline by Larry Mickelson

Larry Mickelson offers some guidance on how to discipline children.  Mickelson presents a well-structured argument listing the pro’s and con’s against spanking while offering up some alternative methods of disciplining children of all ages.  He further points out the need to have a united front; one that he acknowledges is difficult to maintain at times. 

His sense of humor peppered in with solid advice is a treat to read.  This is a book that all parents should read and determine their method of discipline.  The approaches he focuses on in the book are effective and challenging.  Anyone who has tried to stay one step ahead of a teenager knows how difficult this can be most of the time.  Mickelson shares that he too has had those same difficulties.  His book is down to earth and easy to read.  No one likes to physically discipline their children and he offers multitudes of different approaches that are valuable and instructional. 

Mickelson’s writing style is smooth and flawless.  He presents his arguments and then supports them from beginning to end.  This not a dull boring instructional type of parenting book, but rather one that is lively with humor, acknowledges the difficulties of rearing children as well as supportive.

I tried one of his techniques out on my 14-year-old grandson; we were talking and I inserted, “you will clean your room tomorrow,” and then closed with the rest of my comment.  He said, “Oh, yeah, mamaw I plan to clean my room … wait, what?” The look on his face was priceless … I then just looked at him with a neutral face and he talked himself into cleaning his room -  now that was three days ago and it’s not been done yet but I am confident it will be ... eventually.  The two techniques that Mickelson suggested worked well … my grandson hates when I use them because he doesn’t see them coming – I keep one step ahead for now.

Those who are/have been “spankers” might be a bit put off at first but Mickelson is persuasive and insightful.  This is a must read for to-be-parents and current parents.  Grandparents will benefit as well! 

WordsAPlenty highly recommends this book as being well written, strongly supportive and insightful. 

To purchase, click here.