Editorial Review
More than a tool to correct bad behavior, this handbook urges parents to move beyond typical discipline techniques by creating an environment based on mutual respect, emotional safety, and positive, open communication. The seven outlined principles redefine the parent-dominated family by teaching parents how to achieve mutual parent/child respect without being submissive, set firm limits without using demands or coercion, and empower children to open up, cooperate, and realize their own innate potential. Based on Marshall Rosenberg's Nonviolent Communication process, the framework helps parents break down the barriers to outstanding relationships with their kids by avoiding destructive language and habits that keep parents and children from understanding one another. Activities, stories, and resources help parents immediately apply the seven keys to any parenting situation.
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Customer Reviews
A Must-Read 
2007-09-06
When I was finished reading this parenting book my initial reaction was to give it five stars. It is so radically different from any other parenting book I've ever read that I was definitely swept away. In all honesty I have hated every single parenting book I've been unfortunate enough to waste time reading. Most of the advice in them seems disturbingly one-sided. The child is inherently all evil, while the parent is the only one who can "teach him a lesson." A huge over simplification but I hope you can understand my meaning.
In Respectful Parents, Respectful Kids a different idea is brought to light, one in which the children are just as human as the parents and therefore *gasp* just as important. Instead of presenting the parent as a god, the parent is simply a human being entrusted with the care and well-being of a much smaller, less-experienced, but no less important, human being. There is no berating, there are no time-outs, and, most importantly, there are no beatings. All I could say as I put it down after my initial reading was, "Where was this book when I was pregnant with DB1?"
The idea seems to be one of prepared and demonstrative parenting as opposed to the reactionary ideals of more conservative pundits. Parents guide their children into correct behavior rather than brow-beat them in that direction. The parents are human and allowed to make mistakes, which of course they should own up to. As opposed to the "must" of consistency-or-else-failure that I have read in pretty much every conservative parenting book.
Unfortunately, most Christians will never get past the first page (there is a quote by Gloria Steinem on it). If they do somehow buck up and go on, they will find the idea of guiding as opposed to disciplining their child to be somewhat disturbing, among several other non-traditional concepts. There is also an unfortunate story near the end of a family who allowed their son to do whatever he wanted instead of coming to dinner (I definitely disagree with that one).
Any reader who can think will find themselves confused by the authors' apparent hypocrisy when they label behaviors as they did in C. 5. In the first chapter they rail against any labels on any people or behaviors then vainly attempt to claim that calling behaviors either Giraffe or Jackal is not the same thing. I won't tell you which behavior is which, I'm fairly certain you can figure it out for yourself.
On the whole, however, it was refreshing to read authors who actually thought that children had something valuable to contribute to both the family and society.
As I reflected further on my reading I had to downgrade my rating to four stars. Although I would categorize the book as a must-read, I find it lacking in some very important areas.
1) The book does not at all deal with the very real fact that some days your child is simply going to be unreasonable. There seem to be no suggestions offered about what to do with a three-year-old who thinks bed-time is the perfect time to watch a TV show and he's not going to be persuaded otherwise.
2) The authors apparently assume that you will use this method from birth as there are no transitional ideas. I feel these ideas are a must. If you attempt to move from authoritative parenting to this, more open idea, you will have anarchy...I can guarantee it.
3) The final problem I have is one that probably any family with more than one or two children will have with the ideas put forth by not only this book but by NVC in general. If you have a large family you already know it is darned near impossible to keep everyone happy and meet everyone's felt needs. One child "needs" a toy that another child is playing with...you get the drift.
I assume that by continuing to read more books in the NVC library I may come to a suitable solution for these mentioned concerns but I wish that they would have dealt with them in this book since they are pivotal to parenting.
I don't agree with everything put forth in Respectful Parents, Respectful Kids, but it is a good starting point to help parents view their children as the human beings (and therefore worthy of respect) that they are.
Thouroughly recommend it! 
2007-08-14
This is an excellent book and very easy to read. It has opened a new window in my world on how to relate to my kids. I vaguely knew about NVC but saw it as very idealistic and not actually practical with children. This book gives solid examples and sets out 7 steps on how to relate respectfully and with empathy to myself and my kids. The main point I really got from this book is in any interaction with my kids I need to ask "am I trying to make a connection or am I trying to be right?"This book has made me reconsider why I wanted to be a parent and to try and keep this at the fore in all my interactions. It's very logical and makes sense and I can see the benefits in my relationships especially with my 5 yr old son. I thoroughly recommend it!
This book gives suggestions that can really help our families. 2007-01-20
I found this book truly inspiring. It pointed out things I'd never thought of before - like acknowleging both my needs and the needs of my children, and learning that there is room for both; that there can be cooperation without my forcing them to do things. It was revolutionary to see the world from their point of view and realize that my children actually want order and peace and harmony, too, though they may go about it differently than my initial idea of what should happen.
Definitely read this book!!!
Intention in Parenting 2006-11-03
From the first page, I was drawn into the authors' vision for how loving communication and respect for each other's needs can transform families and enliven our relationships. This book connected me to what my intention is in parenting and has breathed new life into the possibilities for every encounter with my family. I love the resources and activities provided that are practical support for the many ideas the book offers for family connections.
A Must, Must, Must Read 2006-10-26
I ate this book up. It spoke to my soul as a parent like no other book has. If you are a spiritual person, like I am and want to improve your relationship with your children -- no matter how old they are -- this book will catapult you into a new parenting dimension. I study Non Violent Communication and have found it helpful in dealing with other adults. This book has made it crystal clear for me that I can teach this style of expressing feelings and empathizing with my children and has given me renewed hope for a higher consciousness connection with the most important people in my life. My children.
The importance of RESPECT 2008-01-17
It is always written about how children just don't show respect in this day and age. Well, to give respect, children need to receive respect and have respect modeled to them. What an eye opener! A very easy read with lots of priceless information!
If only we were all raised this way 2007-11-09
Respect and co-operation between parents and children - sounds impossible doesn't it?? This book is very well written and gives really meaningful instructions for developing compassionate communication with your own children and others. Really makes you think about how you communicate with your children and points you in the direction of how to fulfill both yours and your childrens' needs without experiencing conflict!
A very useful tool
Philosophical Conundrum 
2007-10-15
I have followed the principles in this book as well as other NVC books and love the quality of connection I have with my kids (ages 5 and 2). However, now that my older son is in Kindergarten, we're dealing with a huge problem. The teacher has 24 kids in the class and does not have time to negotiate and find a win-win solution with each one. My son is getting in trouble almost every day for not following directions (i.e. clean up when everyone is cleaning up, not on his own schedule)and is starting to feel like a bad kid. Now I feel like we have to re-parent in some ways using a more 'love-and-logic' approach. I never wanted to be the kind of parent who says, "Do it because I said so." But I now realize that kids need to learn to follow the rules so that they themselves can be happier in society. We now do a lot of talking about what a 'team player' does. This is a great book but for me, it's missing the piece about teaching your kids to follow the rules, because that's how school, work and much of society work. It's wonderful for a parent and child to respect each other equally but this needs to be balanced with the idea that kid's individual needs (or anyone's for that matter) often cannot be accommodated. The philosophical conundrum for me is when to be the NVC parent and when to be the parent who says, "If you're a member of this family, this is what we do (i.e. sit down all together for dinner)." I guess the perfect parenting approach is eclectic; borrowing a little from each theory.
A+ parenting book! 2007-10-01
Anyone with kids knows that it isn't always easy to get your kids to "cooperate". But in the novel guidebook Respectful Parents Respectful Kids, the authors probe parents to ask themselves, what do you mean by "cooperation", "respect" and other expectations you have for your children? The handbook provides seven easy to follow keys for turning family conflict into cooperation. Written exercises help parents explore their own communication skills, emotional and physical needs, and problem areas in regards to parenting. As the authors write, this book "addresses the only behavior you can actually change - your own". The book exposes why culturally accepted forms of parenting - lecturing, advising, making demands - don't usually work. Then they provide a solution, based on the fact that at the heart of every conflict is a communication of needs.
The book is organized into three parts. 1) Foundations for Respect and Cooperation; 2) 7 Keys to Cooperation; and 3) Family Activities and Stories from the No Fault Zone. Non violent communication is a foundation of the book, and other Puddle Dancer Press books elaborate on the core ideas presented in this book. Don't pass on this useful handbook, which teaches that respecting all family members' needs equally will lead to a healthy, happy home.
This book will change your household for the better! 2007-10-01
I can say from experience that communicating with children can be hard work. This book gave me great communication tools to motivate, instead of discipline, kids. And that's what we all want, right? We want kids to choose to do what we want them to do on their own, not be punished into complying. This book unlocked some of the mysteries surrounding ineffective parenting - and explains why the most common parenting tactics, and common parenting language, don't work. I tried them out already, and have noticed results! I now have a formula for cooperation! The book is a good balance though (I do not like child centered parenting where the parents become the door mats!) - and emphasizes that parents need to meet their needs first. Otherwise, parenting will fail, and really, the only person you can control is yourself. This book explains why changing your own behavior will result in positive behavior from your kids. There are "explore yourself" written exercise, where you explore how you truly feel, and what is really going on in your household, and in your emotional life in relation to parenting. The written exercise really revealed things about myself and my relationship to my children. The book is based on non violent communication and emphasizes compassion. I trust experts that are coming from that perspective. I've already recommended this to some of the parents in my daughter's play group. Everyone can use the great advice from the experts who wrote Respectful Parents Respectful Kids.
