“My daughter just won’t cooperate.”

“The tantrums have gotten out of control.”

“He promises to do his chores, but then he doesn’t.”

“She’s having trouble making friends at her new high school.”“I’m trying everything I can think of… but I’m at my wit’s end!”

Sound familiar?

If you’re a parent, chances are you’ve made at least one of those statements during the past year — or possibly something similar.

Dr. Suzanne Gelb, Ph.D., J.D., a psychologist and life coach who has worked with parents and families for 30+ years combined, and also an attorney who has worked in the area of family law, understands parents’ frustrations.

Year after year, she has heard stories about tough spots, melt-downs, tantrums, and just about every hair-pulling situation imaginable.

Two decades — and more than a few transformational success stories — into her career, Dr. Gelb has consolidated her knowledge into a guidebook for parents:

IT STARTS WITH YOU.

This book doesn’t outline a “revolutionary” or “ground-breaking” parenting philosophy. Rather, just the opposite. It’s a refreshingly simple guidebook on how to raise great kids by setting a great example that your children would naturally want to follow.

As Dr. Gelb explains, "Parents set the tone for their household. If your child is acting out, first, it’s wise to look towards yourself."

IT STARTS WITH YOU urges parents to get back to basics — starting with your words, your actions, your role modeling; the messages that you knowingly (and unknowingly) expose your child to, every day.

In this book, you’ll find:

• Relatable stories about parents and children


• Tips on how to set age-appropriate rules and consequences for children of all ages, including teenagers


• Worksheets to organize and track family chores and responsibilities


• Guidelines that can help you resolve dozens of tricky, sometimes uncomfortable scenarios (from public tantrums to curfew-breaking to texting at the dinner table to navigating major life events, like illness or divorce)


• Inspiration to strengthen your mind, body, and life —forgiving your own parents, releasing the past, becoming a stronger, more positive role model for your children: a family leader who’s worthy of admiration and respect.

Readers have called this book “game-changing” and “incredibly effective,” and the message rippling through the pages of IT STARTS WITH YOU is one of hope and empowerment:

It is never too late to become the person, parent, and role model that you want to be — and that your child needs and deserves.

Your child is looking to you and counting on you.

It all starts with you.

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—Approximate File Size: 2603 KB

—Approximate Print Length: 207 pages

—Approximate Paperback Length: 205 pages

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Reviews

From the Forward

"From one busy, imperfect, fiercely loving parent to another... remember that, no matter how challenging things get or how “bad” things have gotten at home, it is never too late to learn something new.... and to become an even stronger role model for your child. Dr. Gelb repeatedly enforces this idea—“It is never, ever too late”—throughout this book. It’s a comforting, empowering idea—and it’s true. A better future for your child starts right here, in the pages of this book. It starts with you."

—Dr. Susan Mathison, M.D.

From Parents

"I always thought it was my kids' fault for not cooperating. After reading this book I realized that if I wanted them to cooperate, I needed to change how I was parenting. That's exactly what happened (I made some changes and then they did too). So remarkably simple... so incredibly effective. Wow! —BK

I've read a lot of parenting books, but this one is totally unique. Dr. Gelb has captured the essence of effective parenting in this gem of a book and taken the mystery (and the struggle) out of raising, happy, fun-loving, well-adjusted children. Beautifully written, practical, easy-to-read. Finally, peace at home ... thanks to this book!"

—MB

"The stories that Dr. Gelb shares at the beginning of the chapters in the book about the parents she's worked with—and their successes—are so inspiring to a parent like me who is pulling her hair out, trying to get my kids to listen. The self-reflection exercises in the book are game-changers. I went from feeling frustrated and helpless, to empowered and pleased with the changes I see in my kids (and my whole family) as I implement the tools and solutions in this book."

—TL

"This book is so readable and was a major turning point in my understanding of parenting—reading it saved my family."

—BT

From Children

"Mommy read this book and now we have all our rules on a chart on the fridge. I know what I am supposed to do and I don’t forget things. Also,we don’t yell as much. It’s awesome!"

—R, 8

"Daddy doesn't get mad and yell at everyone and slam doors like he used to. Mommy says it's because he read this parenting book. I am so happy, thank you."

—A, 9

"My parents never used to listen to anything I had to say. It was always, "Because I said so." I used to cry myself to sleep, and not want to get up in the mornings. Lately [after they read this book] they've been really listening to me when I have something to say. For the first time ever, I feel heard in my family, and like I belong, and that I want to be part of this family. It's so different at home now... so much better."

—J, 12

"I used to get mad and kick the furniture when Daddy and Mommy told me to do stuff that they didn’t do—like “Make your bed,” but they never made theirs. Then Grandma gave them this book. Now they make their beds. too. That’s more fair. I’m not mad anymore."

—L, 10

"My dad read this book and now he comes home for dinner and he talks to me about my day. He used to stay late at work, past my bedtime. I’m so happy to see my dad at dinner, and so is my mom."

—J, 11

"When I grow up, I want to be just like Mommy. She says this book is helping her do her best."

—K, 7