Raising Your Spirited Child Rev Ed: A Guide for Parents Whose Child Is More Intense, Sensitive, Perceptive, Persistent, and Energetic - Harper Paperbacks

Sent this as a gift

I sent this book to a relative who was having trouble understanding her grandson. I had the book from my teaching days. I found the book very helpful in seeing "difficult" children in a new way. She has found it helpful to think of her grandson from this perspective and to gain a better grasp of what makes him the way he is, without resorting to labels such as ADD or Autistic.

Great book for understanding kids; could use more strategy tips

I loved this book and felt so validated by it, both as a parent as well as someone who was also a spirited kid! The author described many characteristics my older son displays, and offers such useful insight into how to work with these types of children. It is a great handbook for any parent, teacher, or person who regularly comes into contact with kids who are "MORE," as Kurcinka describes them.

One thing I will mention is that this book does not give a plan for parents who have reached the end of their tether trying to discipline their spirited kids. Moreover, the author suggests ways to understand these kids thoroughly, and to avoid the discipline issues before they arise. I found this a wonderful approach and it has helped me a lot with communicating to and understanding my spirited son. That being said, I gave this book 4 stars because the author could acknowledge that these attempts have times when they backfire, or when disciplinary measures need to be taken. Spirited kids often respond differently than others to things such as time outs; a strategy for dealing with more of these moments would make the book even more useful.

life-changing book

I read this book when my son was 3 or 4 years old and I was having a hard time controlling his behavior (there were complaints at his daycare). He's now a successful college student, and all I can say is that this was a life-changing book for us. I am buying this book now for a friend whose daughter is having the same struggle I had years ago. The advice is timeless and it works!

Interesting!

I am not completely finished reading the book yet. But am pleased with the ideas and suggestions it gives. I bought the book to help me understand my younger child better but have found out many things that seem to fit my older better.

Ideas given are helpful and easy to try if you have the mind set to do it. Just remember that you must learn to be patient to try all of the suggestions.

Spirited is just a disguise

I'm coming at this review backwards. . My son is now grown and just moved away to go to college as of a week ago, but when this book first came out, he was only two years old, and was considered "spirited." I remember going to a couple of classes at a local preschool when this title (which I had already purchased independently before attending) was the main topic of discussion among these uber moms (then, "supermoms.") For some reason, my son did not turn out to be one of those "brilliant" or "cool" kids in school who benefited by being set apart. The impression I received from the moms in the class was that this was some sort of "special" category that did not apply to the masses (God forbid their children be "normal!) Not only did I not identify with these people, I was the polar opposite. After going the holistic route for several years with my son (because my husband and I did not want to succumb to the ADHD diagnosis) we finally took him to a doctor who administered several tests that found him to be "ADHD." What I am getting at is that this book, although seemingly helpful, will candy-coat these symptoms for a while. If your child is ADHD or ADD, you will find out soon enough, but believe me, you will not refer to this text from here out. My son turned out just fine, but there are many things that we learn about our children through our own research and observation. Although there is some good advice for handling difficult behavior, it is necessary to make sure you do not become complacent with the term "spirited" and do nothing more than listen to Ms. Kurcinka. I am frankly surprised this book is still in print. And right now, it's in the pile of "to go" books to the Goodwill!