This was recommended to me by a family member who thought it was amazing. Obviously it worked for him but sorry - I CANNOT agree on the basis of this book which could have been written in one paragraph. If you want a good parenting book, check out Barbara Coloroso's "Kids Are Worth It."

This book is stellar. Of course there are small parts here and there that i disagree with (maybe only one actually), but i just don't use that suggestion. This has helped my daughter's and my relationship because i'm not so stressed anymore and we have a way of resolving the situation. It's important that children are respected but this book helps us, as parents, regain control of our households where for a full generation children have been in control with parents too afraid to discipline. Though this book was written about 30 years ago i believe, it is a godsend to parents and children alike. It's funny, straightforward, and forgiving of us parents. I love it so much. Hopefully it'll work on my son too when he's old enough, but so far i still use it on my 5 year old and it's great. You find that you need to use the method less and less and it really helps you streamline what your values are and therefore makes you more clear for yourself and your chid/ren. THANKS Mr Phelan!

I first read this book about 3 or 4 years ago. I hated it and thought that the 'magic' was barbaric. Well, reading it again, I still feel the same way. My review has not changed... I really have a problem with the control aspect of this type of parenting. Time outs and seclusion are not an OK thing to do when it comes to my children. The whole 'That's one..' (supposed to stop bad behavior in it's track thing..well, it's bull) So we basically give our kids three chances, and then we punish them by sending them away to 'think about it'. In the 'how to use this book' section it tells you that if the child tries to leave the room or doesn't want to do the time out, then you LOCK them in. It's too much of a 'I'm the mother- you are the child so you must listen to me and if not you get punished' type of book. That doesn't sit well with me at all. The 123 magic way of doing things doesn't TEACH our kids anything. All is does is show one way of stopping them from doing something and then there is a punishment at the end if they don't obey. I never agree with punishment. Discipline yes, punishment no. There is a part where the author says that children need training the same way wild animals do. WILD ANIMALS? He also says that there are times when a spanking may be appropriate. Another turn off right there for me. Instead of trying to control our kids and make them obey by making them 'take a 5', how about we find out WHY they are acting up in the first place? Lets work with our kids and teach some inner discipline, instead of trying to control, threaten, and punish them. There is a fine line between discipline and punishment..I think this book crossed that line. Sure there are some good things. I like the chapter on encouraging good behavior, but over all, it;s got 2 thumbs down from me. I don't respect this type of parenting at all.

Did you know there are actually two different styles of counting, the purpose of each dependent on the behaviour you wish to draw from your child? You want to either "stop" a certain behaviour, or "start" a new behaviour. We have two very active boys under 5 years of age, and I've been using the system for almost a year. I've had the most success incorporating loads of in-progress positive reinforcement with the system. I found this book in the local library, and, skeptical at first, I checked it out. In one night I read between the covers and was completely unprepared to unlearn everything I knew from my own childhood. Don't get me wrong, my parents raised me just fine. But I had grown to use counting to threaten my kids of an impending consequence, when really what works is to let them know their behaviour is inappropriate and give them the opportunity to change it themselves. What I like most about this system is that it reinforces parental authority and at the same time preserves the child's dignity. Kids don't get away with things. They learn how to respect other people and others' property. This book is definitely one I will be adding to my extensive library of parenting resources. Families, parents groups, churches, schools, community programs, and anyone who works with children will benefit from using this technique. I only wish Chapters sold the DVD teaching. Fortunately, I can get that from the local library as well!

It worked just fine. He was an overly-sensitive, easy-to-get-upset child, sweet but always ready for a tantrum. 1-2-3 helped to deal with his sensitivity and he bacame much more manageable. Good luck to everyone

I have been pulling my hair out for almost two years. I could not figure out a good way to discipline my child, and have it work. This book was recommended to me by a family friend, and now I never get past the number 1, I have finally found something that works, this book is great. I thank you 1-2-3 Magic!!!

This program works! Don't give up on it too easily. I didn't believe it would work, but have found it even works for my 13 year old. With time and patience the kids hear "that's 1" and they stop everything. It is a great stress relief.