1-2-3 Magic for Christian Parents: Effective Discipline for Children 2-12 (A Positive Parenting Book Using Bible Principles to Discipline Your Children in Love)

This program really works... if you keep it up. The workbook was really helpful to me while I was reading the book. My daughter (5 years old) is "strong-willed", but the first time I "counted" her in public, she could have died. She was so embarrassed... but you know what, she stopped the undesirable behavior! And the next time I started counting, she stopped the behavior on 1 to avoid the embarrassment. Unfortunately, we have not continued over the past few months and slipped into old habits... but it's good we have the book and workbook to refresh our memories and start again!

We have four foster children in our home and this book is fantastic. Although the basic concept of 1-2-3 discipline is easy, the application the authors suggest is revolutionary. I wish we had known this system when we raised our biological kids who are now in their twenties.For me there are two key points: (1) 1-2-3 Magic is counting to 3 without emotion as the child does one, then two and then three things against the rules or does not stop breaking one rule. The key is no emotion. (2) The second key is to not lecture or reason with the child. Stop talking and just calmly give them a time out.The book is worth buying and reading although I have shared these two critical steps because the authors provide a lot of other insights.Every parent should read this book. It will be one of the best $10 investments you will ever make.

We are so happy with this book and indeed find it's recommendations to be 'Effective Discipline'! We were at our wit's end with our 7 year old after trying several methods of discipline. This book was recommended to us by a psychologist we began to see when we were truly worried that our son had problems beyond our scope to help him. I was surprised when she recommended a discipline book. I was sceptical as I had brought him up since he was a baby with discipline and I figured something deeper must be wrong with my dear son since discipline seemed ineffective. But... I purchased the book, read to chapter 6 and began immediately applying it's methods. Guess what?! We saw changes and success right away.We feel such a load off our hearts and are so grateful that we are finally able to help our son obey us.I recommended this book to anyone. I wish I knew about it years ago!I purchased the video for my husband to watch as he will not read the book. Where there's a will there's a way!

This is an excellent book - teaching parents how to handle kids when trying times arise. It teaches you as a parent, how to behave as the parent and keep the emotions separate from basically what the situation is. It teaches you to stop lecturing and talking about things over and over again - rather provide the kid with his/her option and be move on. I had some problems with this lecturing and talking on and on about issues and this helped me stop doing that and set some clear boundaries. If you don't stick with it or be consistent, then it won't work.

It's not perfect because there is no perfect human-written book for discipline. :-) But the chapters I've read have been informative and scripturally based.(Good gracious! Hope I get a small stipend for taking time to write this simple opinion! And then to have to include a title or key words as a heading for my comments?! :-)

I had a friend that recommended this book and watched them parent their 4 boys almost effortlessly with this information. I finally said "let me get this book" I MUST know more! I will say, the first day was rough, but it has been NIGHT and DAY behavior change with my strong willed 3.5 year old. I LOVE that this is working, I'm not yelling, or nagging, or reminding. It's just a simple 1-2-3. Thank you SO very much!! God is so good and gracious to give me this info from your wisdom and teaching!

It was wonderful and it has worked miracles for my problem toddler. I contacted Dr. Phelan through his website with a question and he actually emailed me AND made a video to personally answer my question in depth. Wonderful man, marvelous book, miraculous method! Truly a man guided by God!

It's okay. I guess I was expecting it to be more detailed. I love that it is based on scripture and has study questions that make you think, but the book itself could be about a 1/4 of the size. It really says the same things over and over. I was also hoping for a lot more information in dealing with toddlers. I feel like more of the scenarios are for older kids.

This is a game changer. After 3 days our child was listening, and understanding our boundaries and expectations. We found it to be extremely effective. If you don’t read this specific version, read one of them. It’s a genius technique.

This book has given me a tool to become my best at parenting. My children are now better behaved both out and inside the home. I'm now more in control and enjoying my children. Thanks

Excellent. I would highly recommend it. It does work, providing parent stays CALMLY in control. Start stressing and you lose the plot!

The teaching in this book and the bible passages highlighted in it have taught me many valuable lessons. Thank you.