Hearing Is Believing: How Words Can Make or Break Our Kids

By Elisa Medhus

HEARING IS BELIEVING demonstrates that the words we say to children can have a profound positive - or negative - effect and it goes on to show readers how a few simple changes in parenting language can reward them with family harmony, turn parenting into a joy rather than a burden, and help them rear children with healthy self-esteem. This book suggests we can teach children how to think for themselves and learn to be rewarded with acceptance as a consequence of their contribution rather than needing acceptance and conforming. Dr. Medhus offers changes in language and parent/child communication that are simple to implement and continue to use. The results are immediately gratifying--many who have made these changes say they see profound effects in their children and their families within two weeks. Once these harmful phrases and their effects are exposed for what they really are, they're easy to eliminate from our daily dialogue. HEARING IS BELIEVING offers better and more empowering alternatives for each phrase, as well as stories that illustrate the results. Parents will be rewarded with a fulfilling and harmonious relationship with all children.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1577314271
• ISBN13: 9781577314271
• Release Date: March 2004
• Publisher: New World Library
• Length: 262 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

EVERYONE should read this book!

This book was amazing. It not only explains everything in a simple to understand way, the author gives you ways to easily implement alternative ways of communicating with your kids (and with almost anyone for that matter) immediately. I think EVERYONE should read this book. It is guaranteed to improve your relationships, period.

Every parent should read this book!

What an insightful and helpful guide to parenting. I believe I can do a better job of raising my seven-year-old as a result of reading this book. It made me realize the importance of enabling my child to be more responsible and how that will help him build his self-esteem. Her message was strong and clear that parents need to help children recognize their own self-worth and let that, rather than continual outside validation, determine how they feel about themselves. I feel better prepared to do this after reading this book. It is well known that the way we raise our children has a huge impact on how they will function as adults. Elisa Medhus allowed me to better understand that. What better gift to give our children than the chance to be highly functioning adults who can actually feel good about themselves? This book will help parents give their children a better shot at a healthy and happy life. The author has a great sense of humor which made the reading all the more enjoyable. I highly recommend this book for all parents.

Great Advice

Elisa has done a great job of providing a highly readable book that all parents should take the time to read. While most of us do not have her self control, each time we heed the advice to use well thoght out and supportive words, the entire family benefits. I hope she coninues to share her wisdom with us.

A MUST read!

I didn't expect to laugh the whole way through as well as gain insight into new techniques in parenting. Dr. Elisa Medhus shares how words such as "Stop that!" and "I'm so disappointed in you" are just not the right things to say. Instead she teaches many types of word phrasing:-Objective-Observational-"I" Messages-QuestioningExamples include: "Feet belong on the floor, not on the table." "It's not safe to rollerblade without a helmet." She also makes me laugh with her candid guinea-pig examples of family scuffles. It provides a lighthearted and tongue-in-cheek backdrop for the true substance and life applications in "Hearing is Believing." What a great book!

A Must-Read for Any Adult Who Talks to Kids

I've read a lot of books over the years, but this one is truly remarkable and unique. Medhus has a style all her own. Her love for all children, not just her own five, comes through in every paragraph. And from page one, I could tell she's one of us--a mom who's been there in the foxholes struggling to raise her kids in an age when doing so has never been harder. Thank God for the rest of us, she's come up with solutions that can make most of those struggles go away. Her advice is practical and easy to follow, and she presents it in a humorous way that made me laugh from cover to cover. I couldn't put the book down! More important: I've tried her suggestions out, and they really work! Dramatically. My life as a parent has transformed because of it. My three kids are happier and better behaved. Raising them is actually fun--and easy. My relationship with my them (and my husband) is the best it's every been. Plus the whole family seems happier and more peaceful. The real question is: Why hasn't anyone thought of this concept before? Seriously! So, if you want a book that will--almost overnight--change life for the better for you and your kids, read this Hearing is Believing! I'll put good money on a bet that this one will win as many awards as her first book, Raising Children Who Think for Themselves, did.