Samenow, S. (2001). Before it's too late: Why some kids get into trouble--and what parents can do about it. NY: Times Books.
Samenow, a clinical psychologist, tempers the notion that parents and environment are usually responsible for a child's serious misbehavior. How can it always be the fault of misguided parents, he wonders, if other children in the same family turn out to be responsible, law-abiding citizens? Samenow argues that by blaming parents, we don't allow the child to take responsibility for his or her own actions. Samenow shows parents how to break this cycle of irresponsibility. First he bluntly describes the thinking he has found to be typical of antisocial children, from disregarding consequences to lying as a way of life. Then he offers strategies for parental intervention, including the erroneous thinking parents may have to overcome in order to take action. Samenow helps parents identify patterns of behavior, offering numerous comparisons between normal developmental issues and how they differ from the behavior and motivation of an antisocial child. While some of his descriptions are harsh (is it really possible to treat a 10-year-old as the master of his or her fate?), anxious parents may welcome such plain talk. This book is invaluable for parents who know their children are headed down the wrong path, but it may be even more important for parents who aren't sure.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Book Description
Is it “just a phase,” or could your child be headed for serious trouble?
If you sense that your child is seriously troubled, you may feel bewildered, helpless, ineffective. How can you stop your child from throwing away his or her life? How can you avoid thinking that you’ve failed as a parent? In this newly revised and expanded edition of the classic guide Before It’s Too Late, clinical psychologist Stanton E. Samenow explains how to break the useless cycle of blame and take corrective action. Topics include:
* How to understand the personality of the antisocial child
* How to tell the difference between a “phase” and a pattern of misbehavior
* How to identify the seven common manifestations of antisocial behavior
* How to cope more effectively as the parent of an older antisocial child
* How to avoid the six common mistakes that prevent parents from taking action
* How to step in—early and effectively—before bad behavior becomes entrenched