Book Review: Negotiation Generation by Lynne Reeves Griffin
At first glance, “Negotiation Generation” by Lynne Reeves Griffin seems almost harsh. The sub-title is “Take back your parental authority without punishment”. I braced myself for platitudes like “just do it” and “make them mind” that had little or no practical help at all. Judging the book by the cover was a mistake as is often the case.
Ms. Griffin does a great job of explaining the concept of setting boundaries for children, commenting why they are needed and detailing how parents can set them. She has as a near mantra “if you can predict it you can prevent it.” Parents are given helps as to how to go about setting the boundaries, how to look at the personality and age appropriate behaviors and then set realistic fences for their kids that match their family goals and values.
One word of warning is that she does expect parents to be parents. We are the ones who must make sacrifices for the well being of our kids. Taking a three year old to a restaurant without a play set and expecting them to behave is unrealistic. As parents we either hire a sitter or forgo the candle light and violins until the ankle biters can be taught table manners and can exhibit them as well. Setting fences and boundaries will mean cutting out the clutter of soccer, music, dance and karate and actually spending time with your kids.
This book is not for all parents, but it is for parents who want to be great parents and who want to have a thriving loving caring relationship with their kids.
Just want to tell you I love your blog and will be linking to you at the Carnival of All Substances (your post about working the shop at the unc’s rehab in July). Stop by and say hello, okay?
Sounds like a great book. Thanks for the information!