Parent Power

Dr John Sharry is Principal Social Worker at the Mater Hospital and is a Director of The Brief Therapy Group in Dublin. He is the author of four self-help books for parents, including Parent Power: Bringing up Responsible Children and Teenagers and When Parents Separate: Helping Children Cope. He is also the author of three psychotherapy books: Solution-focused Groupwork, Becoming a Solution Detective: A strengths-based Guide to Brief Therapy and the forthcoming Counselling Children, Adolescents and Families.

"…indispensable guide…" (Irish Times, 14 January 2003)“...a good guide for this tricky stage" (The Sun, 29th September 2004)

• About the author ixIntroduction 1Parenting – a roller coaster ride 3Pausing to think about your parenting 15Part 1 Being a Parent of A Young Child 25Step 1 Providing positive attention to children 27Step 2 Play and special time with children 37Step 3 Encouragement and praise 47Step 4 Using rewards 57Step 5 Setting rules and helping children keep them 65Step 6 Ignoring misbehaviour 77Step 7 Time Out and other sanctions 87Step 8 Talking things through/ Family meetings 97Part 2 Being a Parent of A Teenager 113Step 9 Pausing to understand teenagers 115Step 10 Connecting with your teenager 125Step 11 Getting to know your teenager 133Step 12 Empowering teenagers 141Step 13 Communicating effectively – listening and speaking up 151Step 14 Managing conflict 159Step 15 Negotiating rules and boundaries 167Step 16 Solving problems/Talking things through 175Renewal and Resources 187Parents caring for themselves 189Seeking further help and support 195Index 207