accent gwinnett magazine

BOOK REVIEW

PARTNERSHIP GWINNETT

In November, eight municipalities will have the Tax Allocated District (TAD) referendum on the ballot . . . READ MORE

GREEN AND CLEAN

Imagine driving through the streets of Gwinnett and instead of just seeing concrete and grass in . . . READ MORE

BUSINESS

Have you thought about where you would like to retire? That’s a trick question. The real question is . . . READ MORE

FALL FESTIVALS, BEAUTIFUL DAYS, HAPPY FAMILIES

As the summer heat abates and we note a crispness in the evening air, our thoughts move toward all that . . . READ MORE

We painted the town red during our 3 year celebration.

I am so overwhelmed! Tonight is a celebration of so many things, and I am so thankful to all of you who . . . READ MORE

FALL HIKES WITH KIDS

Hiking is one of the most popular outdoor activities for every one of all ages, including children . . . READ MORE

FAMILY

Be careful what you say. Your kids are listening. I learned this lesson very well at 3 am on the . . . READ MORE

RECIPES

It's really chili! READ MORE

WHO'S HAUNTING GWINNETT

You re all alone as the glowing candle casts shadows across the floor that creep up the bedroom wall . . . READ MORE

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

Although Marina Peed did not grow up in the South, she has that subtle air of Southern . . . READ MORE

THE LAST WORD

We all realize that there is not much in life that is free. Even love is sometimes bought . . . READ MORE

^{by: Debbie McGeorge}

Dr. Fisher’s methods make as much sense for new parents as they do for parents currently facing certain challenges.

The advent of the age of automation has given us a proliferation of instant solutions. From microwaves that produce instant dinners to Internet sites that offer a quick diagnosis for whatever ails you. Yet we still spend countless hours searching for the age-old dilemma of how to be a good parent and raise a happy, welladjusted child.
With this new book, “The Art of Empowered Parenting,” by Erik Fisher, Ph.D, Steven Wayne Sharp and Diane Fivaz Wichman, you are guided through that question with some insightful scenarios and suggestions.

To help you better understand yourself and your role as a parent, the book first reviews a number of contributing factors to parenting styles that influence family dynamics. Dr. Fisher then focuses on the children and identifies a variety of their personality traits and behaviors. These factors, along with the child’s genetic and temperament influences, make each child unique. He then advises the parent on how to single out typical nonproductive behaviors and how to deal with them effectively.

As a caution, Dr. Fisher reiterates that some of the time-honored disciplinary approaches such as, “Because if it was good enough for me, it’s good enough for you,” and, “Because I said so,” have negative connotations that only foster time worn behavioral problems. The author suggests positive approaches that help children understand what they’re doing wrong, why it’s wrong, and how it affects others, thus enabling them to comprehend what is socially acceptable behavior. He also shares the insightful observation that “punishing negative behavior doesn’t teach a child to avoid the behavior, it teaches [the child] to avoid getting caught.”

One of the helpful features of this book is the use of numerous real-life scenarios relative to the topics mentioned. These are stories that we can identify with, either in our own family, someone we know, or someone we grew up with. With Dr. Fisher’s input, the reader may learn and understand more clearly the steps needed to mediate the behavior issues.

Dr. Fisher shares that he employs a number of successfully tested techniques with his own family. For younger children, he suggests a new twist on “time-out” by using a 1-2-3 warning system. To teach responsibility, this manual suggests the benefits of a daily or weekly task list, emphasizing that all family members should be included for fairness. This well-thought-out tool has levels of age-appropriate responsibilities for chores and rewards, along with punishments up to restriction and an essay-writing assignment. Other aspects of rewards and punishment are also mentioned, with the point that the idea is to elicit positive behavior in your corrections. Throughout the book, Dr. Fisher reiterates that these are recommended guidelines and should be carefully considered by individual circumstances.

It takes hard work and dedication to raise a child. Dr. Fisher’s methods make as much sense for new parents as they do for parents currently facing certain challenges. His book provides a sensible, objective approach in a concise format. Best of all, he gives hope that it is never too late to raise a good child.