Author James Windell claims that if you follow the methods outlined in his book, 8 Weeks To A Well-Behaved Child you will be able to change your child’s behavior. Call me skeptical, but 8 weeks sounds like such a short time to transform negative behaviors. But I’ll try anything at least once so I’m game.
Although Tyler is smart as a whip he also has quite a few behavior problems that I have been trying to work on without much success. So I’m willing to give Windell a try. I invite you to travel with me for the next eight weeks as I put the author to the test.
At the conclusion of the eight weeks, Windell assures parents that they will not only have a well-behaved child but will gain confidence and competence as a parent. If you are “frustrated, confused, perplexed or at your wit’s end”, this is supposedly the book that will teach you step-by-step how to change your child’s behavior in just two short months.
The method has worked for over 25 years he claims and helps parents with children from toddlers through the teen years. In a nutshell, here’s what we are supposed to learn during this eight week training period:
In week one, parents are introduced to key elements that make parents more effective. We will also learn how to monitor our own critical and negative remarks and learn how to view our kids in a more positive way.
During week two, we learn about giving praise and attention, the most important technique that will bring about a positive change in our kids.
In week three, we learn about rewards and privileges, while in week four we learn more about praise, this time something called Reminder Praise.
Week five and we’re almost there. During this week, ignoring behavior is the focus (something I have tried without much success) and in week six, Windell talks about factors that make punishment more and less effective and also about reprimands and time-outs.
In week seven, the technique for removing rewards and privileges is introduced and we conclude with the final week by reviewing and summarizing what we have learned.
For each week there is also a homework assignment plus a summary of key points discussed in each chapter. So stay with me and learn as I learn.
See also:
Staying Calm When Your Kids Are Misbehaving
Parenting With Love and Logic, Part One, Part Two