Grandma's Two Cents

About the Book

If you have recently spent any amount of time with a group of children, you are aware of the behavior crisis we are experiencing in America’s youth. Disrespect, manipulation, rudeness, defiance, and entitlement are characteristics all too common in today’s children. I believe it is time for parents to have a basic, tried-and-true, step-by-step behavior plan—not more research, parental manipulation, and quick-fix approaches. While I do not know how to fix this very serious behavior crisis, I do have some ideas regarding the prevention of the behaviors using a parent-controlled approach—starting the day Mom gave birth! I am not a professional writer, but I am a mother, grandmother, and teacher, and I think an advice book written from this perspective would be unique and appreciated. This is a quick read with a clear, positive message. There are no generalizations or theories—just a simple, parent-controlled plan that is gentle and positive. The purpose of this book is to help parents raise happy, polite, and well-adjusted children. In Grandma’s Two Cents, I focus on three basic training issues—sleeping, eating, and potty training—to teach a fun, healthy approach that will establish lifelong good habits. This basic training is a framework to build future positive healthy behaviors in all areas of a child’s life.

About the Author

I am a retired elementary school teacher, mother of five, and grandmother of ten. I am not a doctor, nutritionist, psychologist, or child expert. I am not even a writer! I bought my first computer for the sole purpose of writing this book. I have been interested in children’s behavior for a long time, beginning when I was studying to become a teacher. Working with children—focusing on their behavior for many years—has taught me many things. More specifically, this book is about our culture’s shift from parent-controlled training of children to the “manipulation/negotiation of child/parent” training. I am seeing some very serious psychological and physical consequences as a result of this shift. I will first discuss my concerns and then share with you an approach that I believe is emotionally healthy and absolutely positive. I have set it up so that I address three specific behaviors I believe are of utmost importance and then conclude with a chapter on behavior in general. In this way, I hope to give you a good sense of my perspective. This book has been a treat for me to write and truly helpful for my own experience. Who knows, maybe this grandma’s two cents will help you, too!