You Can't Make Me (But I Can Be Persuaded): Strategies for Bringing Out the Best in Your Strong-Willed Child : Book Review

"You Can't Make Me (But I Can Be Persuaded)" written by Cynthia Ulrich Tobias is a practical and insightful guide for parents and teachers who are facing the challenges of dealing with strong-willed children. Drawing on her expertise in understanding learning styles, Tobias offers valuable strategies to effectively communicate and motivate these individuals.

Tobias begins by debunking the misconception that strong-willed children are inherently defiant. Instead, she highlights the fact that they simply have a different approach to learning and interacting with others. By embracing this understanding, Tobias presents a range of tips and techniques to navigate behavioral challenges without resorting to power struggles or punishments. She emphasizes the importance of creating a positive and supportive environment that caters to the unique needs and preferences of strong-willed children.

The strength of this book lies in Tobias' ability to bring her advice to life through real-life examples and anecdotes. This personal touch allows readers to relate to the situations being discussed and grasp the potential effectiveness of the strategies shared. Additionally, Tobias provides practical tools such as self-tests and checklists to help readers identify their own communication style and adapt it to better suit the strong-willed child in their life.

Another notable aspect of this book is Tobias' emphasis on building strong relationships with strong-willed children, rather than attempting to control them. She encourages adults to focus on understanding their needs, interests, and learning styles. By establishing a connection based on respect, trust, and empathy, parents and teachers can enhance communication and achieve better results with these children.

Overall, "You Can't Make Me (But I Can Be Persuaded)" is a valuable resource for anyone dealing with strong-willed children. Cynthia Ulrich Tobias provides practical strategies and insights that can help parents and educators navigate the unique challenges commonly associated with these individuals. Through understanding, empathy, and effective communication, Tobias shows that it is possible to guide and encourage strong-willed children without resorting to power struggles or punitive measures.

What are readers saying?

"You Can't Make Me (But I Can Be Persuaded)" by Cynthia Ulrich Tobias garnered a diverse range of opinions from readers. The book delves into the topic of understanding strong-willed children and offers practical strategies for parents to navigate and influence their behavior.

Many readers praised the book for its insightful and relatable content. They found Tobias's writing style engaging and appreciated her focus on understanding strong-willed individuals rather than attempting to change them. The strategies and techniques provided were lauded as helpful in managing and positively influencing children's behavior. The author was commended for offering practical advice that could be implemented easily in real-life situations.

However, there were contrasting views among reviewers. Some felt that the book was repetitious and lacked depth in its content. They also believed that the strategies were overly simplistic and ineffective when dealing with extremely strong-willed children. These readers desired more nuanced approaches, believing that the book overlooked certain aspects of parenting such children.

Another recurring criticism centered around the book's emphasis on parenting younger children, with less guidance provided for dealing with strong-willed teenagers. Some readers expressed disappointment in this aspect, desiring more comprehensive strategies that catered to different age groups.

On the positive side, many reviewers found the real-life examples shared by the author to be valuable. These stories were deemed relatable and helpful in illustrating the concepts and strategies discussed throughout the book. Readers noted that these examples made the book more engaging and relatable, allowing for better understanding of how to apply the advice in their own lives.

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