Skip to main content
PBS logo
 
 

Book Reviews of 1-2-3 Magic: Effective Discipline for Children 2-12

1-2-3 Magic: Effective Discipline for Children 2-12
123 Magic Effective Discipline for Children 212
Author: Thomas W. Phelan
ISBN-13: 9780963386199
ISBN-10: 0963386190
Publication Date: 3/1996
Pages: 175
Rating:
  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
 75

4 stars, based on 75 ratings
Publisher: Child Management
Book Type: Paperback
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

34 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

reviewed 1-2-3 Magic: Effective Discipline for Children 2-12 on + 10 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 6
Dr. Phelan offers no-nonsense advice for those of us struggling to find ways to discipline our children that don't involve spanking.

Step 1: Controlling Obnoxious Behavior: Learn an amazingly simple technique to get the kids to STOP doing what you don't want them to do (whining, arguing, tantrums, sibling rivalry, etc.)

Step 2: Encouraging Good Behavior: Learn several effective methods to get your kids to START doing what you want them to do (cleaning rooms, picking up, going to bed, homework, etc.).

Step 3: Strengthening Your Relationship: Learn four powerful techniques that reinforce the bond between you and your children.

This is no (as my dad would say) "mamby-pamby" book filled with cliches and sentimentalities. This is good, solid advice that actually WORKS! Within 24 hours, my home was already more peaceful. 6 months later, my three children still aren't little angels, but they are much better behaved and our home is SO much more peaceful without the cycle of Talk-Persuade-Argue-Yell-Hit Syndrome (as Dr. Phelan calls it).

If you think you've tried everything, and your kids still aren't behaving the way you'd like, I HIGHLY recommend 1-2-3 Magic! What have you got to lose but the time spent reading?
reviewed 1-2-3 Magic: Effective Discipline for Children 2-12 on
Helpful Score: 3
I think this book is great! We've started using the techniques with our 2 year old and we've already seen a big improvement in his behavior.
reviewed 1-2-3 Magic: Effective Discipline for Children 2-12 on + 5 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
I highly recommend this book for parents. It is simply the very best I have read. The discipline method introduced is very effective and sound. Stop reading parenting articles in magazines, and get this book.
reviewed 1-2-3 Magic: Effective Discipline for Children 2-12 on
Helpful Score: 2
Gave me some very good ideas I had not thought about before. It is working very well with my daughter who is borderline ADD.
reviewed 1-2-3 Magic: Effective Discipline for Children 2-12 on + 31 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Honestly, this book was a godsend...It brought joy back into parenting...and ended the arguing. I highly recommend it for parents of chldren aged 2-5. It truly works!
reviewed 1-2-3 Magic: Effective Discipline for Children 2-12 on + 101 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
was a very helpful book
reviewed 1-2-3 Magic: Effective Discipline for Children 2-12 on + 34 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
"Discipline Your Children Without Arguing,
Yelling Or Spanking!"-- Hard to believe???? Read this book.
This is the best book about raising children without anger or frustration. It changed me from an screaming out-of-control mom to a much calmer and in control mom. Now people compliment me on how well-behaved my girls are and how polite we are to each other. I already own a copy,... but I am tempted to get this as an extra to loan out because I recommend it to EVERYONE. I even ordered the 1-2-3-Magic for teachers and shared it with some teachers. One used it on her 5th grade class and said it was incredible. If you are struggling with your kids behavior, or as I was,... MY OWN!...and you are finding yourself fighting with them over EVERYTHING... this will simplify your life and make you feel like your children will thank you in the process. (No one wants a screaming kid OR a screaming Mom! (or Dad!-- My husband uses it too) The author has a website and a newsletter too. http://www.parentmagic.com/parentingsolutions-view.cfm Check it out. I first found out about this from my sister and then I rented the video at my library (had a copy transferred from another branch). It's not about dehumanizing your kids... quite the contrary.. it boils the responsesd down to the parents being in control. I wish every hospital would send a copy home with new parents!
dixiegirl avatar reviewed 1-2-3 Magic: Effective Discipline for Children 2-12 on + 31 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I thought I would gain more from this book. It is basically the old "I'm counting to three," scare tactic. Was not helpful to me as a mother of four.
reviewed 1-2-3 Magic: Effective Discipline for Children 2-12 on + 5 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
fantastically straight-forward and helpful. and - it's working!
reviewed 1-2-3 Magic: Effective Discipline for Children 2-12 on + 17 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This is a must-read for parents of difficult 3-year-olds. The "counting" technique for stopping unwanted behavior is very simple and logical. What makes this book better than so many others is that the author gives lots of examples of how your child will test you, and provides appropriate responses. He also shows empathy for how aggravating it can be as a parent, and illustrates what will happen if you give your reactive response rather than the quiet, calm response.
After only a couple of days of applying the "counting" technique, my child's behavior is much-improved. Our house is much more peaceful, I'm less aggravated, and my daughter is clearly learning that when I say "Don't do that", I mean it! My relationship with my daughter is improving already, and I'm optimistic it will get even better as we continue to use the counting technique.
In addition to the "counting" method for stopping unwanted behavior, there are many other techniques (such as for encouraging a desired behavior) I will be able to apply as my child gets older. The author provides lots of insight as to what it is reasonable to expect from a child of a certain age, which is invaluable.
reviewed 1-2-3 Magic: Effective Discipline for Children 2-12 on + 26 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This method has worked well for us. Our son's daycare applies the same techniques, so it is very consistent for him. I fine I need to re- read this book periodically to get back on the discipline wagon. It's so easy to slip back into the habit of letting your kid argue and whine and negotiate with you. This is why I haven't reposted it yet, I still consult it from time to time.
reviewed 1-2-3 Magic: Effective Discipline for Children 2-12 on + 34 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Adresses the difficult task of child discipline with humor, keen insight and proven experience. Provides easy-to-follow steps for disciplining children aged 2-12 without yelling, arguing or spanking.
reviewed 1-2-3 Magic: Effective Discipline for Children 2-12 on + 8 more book reviews
123- Magic really did work for us.
reviewed 1-2-3 Magic: Effective Discipline for Children 2-12 on + 22 more book reviews
A simple, but effective discipline method.
reviewed 1-2-3 Magic: Effective Discipline for Children 2-12 on + 11 more book reviews
Interesting discipline method. It's a little too "magic" for me. If parents were consistent in the first place they won't need a "method". It works great with easy kids, but is not very effective for spirited or delicate children.
reviewed 1-2-3 Magic: Effective Discipline for Children 2-12 on + 41 more book reviews
1-2-3 magic was introduced to us by our first preschool teacher. Our children responded to this wonderfully and it was added bonus that they had same reinforcements at school. We've recommeded this to all new parents we know!
reviewed 1-2-3 Magic: Effective Discipline for Children 2-12 on + 182 more book reviews
Totally loved it! My pediatrician lent it to me and I read it in just a few sittings, I kept it for almost 2 months and refered back to it often. I then got my own copy as I found myself (and my children) doing better at it, if I was consistantly reading it or refering back to it. A must read!
reviewed 1-2-3 Magic: Effective Discipline for Children 2-12 on + 6 more book reviews
Great book! I started implementing 1-2-3 today and it is challenging but I am feeling my anger start to lessen.
reviewed 1-2-3 Magic: Effective Discipline for Children 2-12 on + 3 more book reviews
This book was recomended to my boyfriend by a child psychologist...I wish he would have read it! I did & use the method on my grand-daughter. GREAT BOOK!
reviewed 1-2-3 Magic: Effective Discipline for Children 2-12 on + 8 more book reviews
A Must Read for all parents! This book gives wonderful ideas on discipline for your children. I purchase this book as a baby shower gift and give to all new mommies.
reviewed 1-2-3 Magic: Effective Discipline for Children 2-12 on + 9 more book reviews
I have three kids, and for the most part, this works! It cuts back on yelling AND works in public!
reviewed 1-2-3 Magic: Effective Discipline for Children 2-12 on
We have been reading parenting books for QUITE some time, never have a read such a simple, yet effective technique! It really does work if you follow the steps and it is NOT hard to do!
azrainstorm avatar reviewed 1-2-3 Magic: Effective Discipline for Children 2-12 on + 70 more book reviews
Great book. It really works.
reviewed 1-2-3 Magic: Effective Discipline for Children 2-12 on + 22 more book reviews
Actually, the "book" I have is a video cassette.
mommytsunami avatar reviewed 1-2-3 Magic: Effective Discipline for Children 2-12 on
I've read a lot of parenting books (I have 6 kids!) and this one was one of my favorites. The method is quick, easy and actually works, and it works for many different personalities. From the hyper-defiant to the arguing-whiner, it's a winner.
reviewed 1-2-3 Magic: Effective Discipline for Children 2-12 on + 11 more book reviews
I tried many parenting books while my son was young and this one was by far one of the very best. Very simple but you have to be very consistent with it and both the mother and father need to use it exactly the same way. very effective for us.
reviewed 1-2-3 Magic: Effective Discipline for Children 2-12 on + 2 more book reviews
great book, I usually get bored with this kind of book, but very straight forward and effective.
reviewed 1-2-3 Magic: Effective Discipline for Children 2-12 on + 8 more book reviews
WONDERFUL!!!!! A step by step guide to gaining control over a diffucult child.
reviewed 1-2-3 Magic: Effective Discipline for Children 2-12 on + 39 more book reviews
It is an ok book but I thought alot of it was common sense.
reviewed 1-2-3 Magic: Effective Discipline for Children 2-12 on + 2 more book reviews
1-2-3 Magic is a simple approach and worked pretty much immediately with my child (2.5 Y.O.) although I do not necessarily approve of this approach and strive more to connect with my child than coerce him to do things with the threat of reaching three. It is very simplistic, pretty sure my parents used it with me. Works for small children, not sure long term it is the best approach for my family.
reviewed 1-2-3 Magic: Effective Discipline for Children 2-12 on + 52 more book reviews
Great book on helping to get your kids to STOP arguing, whining and tantrums. And START doing what you want them to do: homework, going to bed, cleaning room, etc..
reviewed 1-2-3 Magic: Effective Discipline for Children 2-12 on + 93 more book reviews
I really liked this book. It has worked for my children and hope it can help others...

Back Cover Reads:
Who's In Charge at Your House?

It's not easy being a parent- and handling the disrespectful outbursts of children in a reasonable, unemotional manner when they're acting like "little Monsters." Obviously parents need help, but not help that requires they be a genius, saint or professional psychotherapist.

1-2-3 Magic addresses the difficult task of child discipline with humor, keen insight and proven experiance. This time-tested program provides easy-to-follow steps for disciplining children aged 2-12 without yelling, arguing or spanking.
reviewed 1-2-3 Magic: Effective Discipline for Children 2-12 on
This book has some good techniques if you hyave children.
reviewed 1-2-3 Magic: Effective Discipline for Children 2-12 on
Some areas of the book have been highlighted with a yellow highlight marker