Connected Parenting: Transform Your Challenging Child and Build Loving Bonds for Life Hardcover - 2009

by Jennifer Kolari

A groundbreaking, counterintuitiveparenting approach to create deep,empathic bonds with problem children.

Achild and family therapist for more than twenty years,Jennifer Kolari began her career working with childrensuffering from severe behavioral problems. That experiencetaught her an invaluable lesson-it wasn't "tough"discipline that helped these kids change their behavior and buildself-esteem. It was unending compassion and empathy.Now, Kolari applies these lessons in her work with allfamilies-even those who are exhausted, overwhelmed, andstruggling with the challenges of difficult or extremely defiantchildren. Empathy lies at the heart of Kolari's Connected Parentingphilosophy.

What sets this book apart is Kolari's proven step-by-stepCALM program (Connect, Match the Affect of Your Child, Listen,and Mirror) that will support parents and help them implementtrue empathy in any situation-even during temper tantrums.Empathy goes beyond listening well-Kolari offers interactivebehavioral and verbal techniques such as mirroring and nonverbalmethods like regular play interaction that can reduce conflictdramatically and deepen the connection between a parent andchild. Kolari then shows parents how to develop foolproofstrategies for setting limits and changing negative behavior forgood.

Powerful and inspiring, Connected Parenting includes incrediblestories from families who have experienced miraculoustransformations-often in just a few weeks-using Kolari'sparenting approach. It is a dynamic blueprint for bringing peaceand loving connections into any family for life.