Skip to Main Content

Taming the Spirited Child

Strategies for Parenting Challenging Children Without Breaking Their Spirits

About The Book

Do you dread parent-teacher conferences? Does your child really know how to push your hot button? Has your child been labeled “defiant” or “rebellious”? Here are proven strategies that have helped millions to tame—not break—a spirited child.

Parents are often faced with scary labels for their children, such as attention deficit disorder, learning disabilities, bipolar disorder, or hyperactivity. In this uniquely prescriptive guide, leading parenting expert Dr. Michael Popkin shows parents how to think differently about so-called problem children. The effective strategies within this guide will quiet the difficulties spirited children have at home and school while exposing the unique, special gifts they possess.

Develop a relationship with your spirited child by:

-Building relationship skills
-Disciplining with encouragement
-Balancing the power dynamic
-Curbing tantrums effectively

With step-by-step methods for every type of misbehavior and every child's unique personality, this comprehensive guide will help parents cultivate their child's spark, not extinguish it—and reach beyond depressing labels for their beloved children.

About The Author

Photo Credit:

MICHAEL POPKIN, Ph.D., is the founder and president of Active Parenting Publishers, helping millions of parents to develop cooperation, responsibility, and courage in their children. Dr. Popkin lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with his family. To find out more please visit his website at www.activeparenting.com.

Product Details

Raves and Reviews

"Finally, a fresh approach to the whole 'difficult child' category. In this insightful and moving work, Michael Popkin shows parents the positive potential of these spirited children without making excuses for their behavior. His 'taming' methods are as humane as they are effective." -- Thom Hartmann, author of Attention Deficit Disorder: A Different Perception

"I adore the real strategies and know parents will be so grateful for the positive spin on 'spirit.' This is one of the best parenting books for raising challenging children." -- Michele Borba, Ed.D., author of No More Misbehavin'

"This text should be required reading for anyone responsible for children. As a pediatrician, I know that captivating the difficult-to-manage child's spirit and redirecting that energy into positive thoughts and actions can go a long way towards improving social outcomes." -- Dr. Melina McVicar, professor of Clinical Pediatrics, New York Medical College

Resources and Downloads

High Resolution Images