Raising Lions

This book has been at my bedside for the past 2 years, as I reference it often. I only wish I had found it sooner. If you have a challenging toddler through teen--even if they're just going through a patch of challenging behavior--BUY THIS BOOK. The insight into what drives kids' behavior (and how we, as parents, can unwittingly support their tendency toward defiance) is invaluable. I have recommended this (endlessly!) as an early read to all my parent friends (they have all raved about it), I've bought additional copies for my mom and teachers, and I truly CANNOT RECOMMEND RAISING LIONS HIGHLY ENOUGH!My now-7YO son has been exceptionally challenging to parent since about age 3. He has struggled with impulse control to the point that every teacher he has had from preschool through Kindergarten has had to call me with news that he threw something at a child, hit a child, tripped a child, grabbed a child. When this would happen, the teachers would tell me that my son was actually generally acting up at school regularly, but these moments of physicality were the tipping points prompting their calls to me.I was devastated each time--AND EACH TIME, THE GAME-CHANGING SOLUTION WAS IN RAISING LIONS. When these instances would eventually occur in a new school year with a new teacher, it happened because the teacher was giving my son slack/getting to know him, and as a smart, clever, inquisitive, impulsive child, he discovered where, when, and how far he could push the limits...until he finally went too far and got physical with another child.Enter RAISING LIONS. After "The Phone Call From School," I would pow-wow with the teacher, tell them about this book and its specific methods (or buy them a copy), and WITHIN DAYS of them applying the methods (and us doing the same at home), my son's behavior improved dramatically. Within weeks, he was back to "normal limits" of the rest of the kids in school.One reviewer said there's nothing new here--and that the secret of the book is Time-Outs. For that, I have two thoughts...1) This reviewer probably has a child (or children) more like my (currently 4YO) daughter. Who has never been a challenge to parent. I could have 4 of her and it would be as challenging to parent her four little selves as it is to parent her and my son combined. (Or maybe even easier with 4 of her than one of my son ;)2) To say this book is just about giving Time-Outs is wayyyy oversimplifying. It's about understanding why children push limits. How we unwittingly encourage them to push limits. How to EASILY get this to stop--quickly! And for the most challenging among these children (who are, by nature, reprimanded frequently by teachers, parents, caregivers...), it provides methods and language to ensure that the kids don't develop self-loathing in the process--which is SUCH a critical piece of the puzzle for the long-term growth and mental health of kids who struggle with impulse control and listening to those in authority.Finally, one of the top reasons I love this book so much is because of the author, Joe Newman. As a child growing up in the 70s, he was the kid whose presence at the local playground would prompt families to turn around and go elsewhere. He was the kid struggling with impulse control, diagnosed with ADHD, put on medication, studied by the NIH (!) and LABELED a "bad kid" for his youth. He carried that label with him through early adulthood. My heart hurts even just thinking about all that he went through...and yet, look at how he was able to transform that pain. He SEES KIDS in a way that few of us can. He understands how to talk to them in ways that cultivate independence and self-worth while simultaneously preventing them from running away with the "Staff of Power and Control." He turned his anguish into action--developing this method and applying it in schools, over the past ~20 years...effectively transforming everything from typical kids' shenanigans to the most challenging behavior of previously untouchable "problem children"... I honestly get chills whenever I think/tell people about the book and Joe. I am SO GRATEFUL for his insight and experience, and I am here to tell you THE RAISING LIONS METHOD WORKS.Since discovering this book, my husband and I have taken the further steps of attending one of his webinars and scheduling a private coaching session and both have been incredibly helpful when parenting our brilliant little handful.To ANY parent experiencing any degree of chronic defiance with your child or children, READ THIS BOOK. It's an easy read, the insight is invaluable, and the sooner you read and consistently apply its methods, the less pushback you'll get from your child, and the more peaceful and balanced your family life will be. Stay strong, moms & dads! ❤️

I am not exaggerating when I say this book has changed my family's life. For the first time, after using the techniques I learned in Raising Lions, I can say that I feel like I am in charge as a parent. Not in a punitive or authoritarian way, but in a calm, easy and totally unforced way. The book seriously teaches you a simple, almost 3-step approach to every behavior problem you can think of and the kids just CHANGE. No more fights or drama or power struggles or screaming and when it does happen its short and no big deal and age appropriate-- an opportunity to learn and teach your kids. Not an epic, mind bending what the hell is wrong with me as a parent and what the hell is wrong with my kids EVERYDAY STRUGGLE! The other great thing about the book is it makes you really understand what happened with your kids and why they act the way they act. The tantrums and back talk and not listening are all part of a cultural shift in how we raise our children--we have done it to ourselves and them-yet we are totally clueless how to raise the "lions" we have created. I read the book in two nights and immediately started using the simple techniques. Its easy, its respectful, you can keep a sense of humor. There is no diagnosis or psychobabble. Just nonjudgemental, consistent guard rails that you place around your learning, testing children and they bump up against them and make adjustments. They learn how to control themselves and deal with their OWN frustrations and needs and impulses. The beauty and the sweetness is that THEN you get to just enjoy your kids. Its been a miracle for us. I highly recommend this book.

Was suggested to me by our school counselor to help with the multiple new needs I am seeing in my 1st grade classroom, now. At first, I was hesitant to try yet another "behavior system", but when she sent me a few pictures of pages and tables in the book, I was sold.This book is NOT a new behavior system, and it IS versatile for both teachers and PARENTS. It's a simple way of explaining why the way many people address their children and certain behaviors they exhibit don't work, and why actions many of us saw our parents/grandparents do, did work. It explains a lot of easy to use tools and suggestions and makes everything for simple and quick to understand & implement. I read the whole thing in 1 busy weekend. Going to go back this summer and highlight specific parts so it's ready to use and reference next year.Again, this book is NOT a new behavior system, and it IS versatile for both teachers and PARENTS. I suggested it to several parents this year!

This feels like the missing piece we were searching for, for so long! A really simple and effective tool to use in the moment, where we used to feel so helpless when it came to consequences with our kids. It’s been a game changer in our house and every parent should read this!