How to Help Children With Common Problems

From early childhood through adolescence—a uniquely practical, reassuring, and effective parenting guide.

Even normal, well-adjusted children manifest difficult behavior. At times they can be disruptive, messy, shy, dawdling, aggressive, depressed, hot-tempered, nervous, withdrawn, compulsive, cruel, babyish, sexually precocious, rebellious, lazy, fearful, hostile, and underachieving, to name but a few frequent and justifiable causes for parental concern. Covering early childhood through adolescence, this guide by two leading child psychologists takes the perplexity and panic out of minor and major crises and outlines practical steps parents can take to help their child.

In this book you will get a clear understanding of all that is known about immature and insecure behaviors, habit disorders, and peer problems, as well as antisocial behaviors, drug abuse, sexual misbehaviors, and other difficulties. You will not only see why your child is having trouble, you will be given the widest possible choice of different strategies to deal with each situation. Sections on preventative parenting spotlight child-rearing techniques that avert or minimize behavior problems. Detailed bibliographies list professional references and suggested reading materials. And the authors fully discuss how to recognize when a child’s problem warrants professional help.

When the very latest knowledge translated into words that every lay person can comprehend, and with a wealth of illuminating and heartening case histories, this sound guide will help you become the effective and loving parent that both you and your child want you to be.

Dr. Charles E. Schaefer is a psychologist considered to be the "Father of Play Therapy." He has appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show, The Today Show, and Good Morning America, and is the author of more than 60 books. He is Professor of Psychology and Director of the Center for Psychological Services and the Crying Baby Clinic at Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey. Child Magazine named Schaefer’s book Raising Baby Right as its Book of the Year.

Dr. Howard L. Millman has over 40 years of experience as a family psychologist treating adults, adolescents, and children for anxiety and depression. He has written seven books about scientifically-based treatments for specific psychological and behavioral issues, pioneering effective strategies for attention deficit disorders. He is also the creator of the Pain to Joy approach, helping psychological and physical pain, or tension transform into healthy, joyful living.