Dr. Christine K. Adams
Smart Psychology
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Stop the whining and the temper-tantrums! Use an evidence-based, whole-family parenting approach centered on empathic discipline.

The revised, updated edition of Why Children Misbehave and What to Do About It helps parents learn non-aggressive, age-appropriate methods of teaching children responsibility and self-control.

Disciplinary methods shape the parent-child relationship, meaning both parents and children need constructive ways of handling aggressive feelings and behaviors. Why Children Misbehave explains how parents can combine positive reinforcement and negative consequences to set limits while maintaining a positive relationship with their child. The underlying approach, based on the authors’ combined sixty years of clinical work and experience raising two children, effectively builds trust within the family and helps children develop strong decision-making skills so they can manage their emotions.

The book focuses on common behaviors for toddlers, preschoolers, and elementary-age children. It combines real-world scenarios and sample statements with clear graphics and authentic photos. It offers parents pragmatic strategies for managing temper tantrums, whining, not asking for permission, difficulty sharing, bullying, bad language, interrupting, sassiness, arguing, and stealing.

Christine Adams, Ph.D., is a psychologist in private practice in Houston, Texas. She provides psychological services to children, adults and families and frequently presents on a variety of mental health topics to both professionals and the public. Committed to the well-being of children and families she has been actively involved in her community working on improving educational programs within the public schools and volunteering with multiple health care reform advocacy organizations.  

Ernest Frugé, Ph.D., a psychologist, is Professor of Pediatrics and Professor of Medical Ethics and Health Policy at Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX. He is also Director of the Psychosocial Division of Texas Children’s Cancer Center and Hematology Centers also in Houston, Texas. They are married and are parents and grandparents.