What Readers Are Saying

What  U.S.A. Readers Say

“I was thrilled to read your book. It is full of simple, practical, logical advice for parents to guide children into making more thoughtful choices and leading to less stressful family environments.”

—Donna Rishor - Tucson, Arizona

“I love your parenting book! I have been using your strategies both at home and in the classroom. I can see a significant different in the behaviors and attitudes of both my daughter and students.”

—Monica Mallet - El Segundo, California

“I have been struggling with my five-year-old who knows his own mind. Coercion was not working! I was at a complete loss until I tried your approach. I had never tried anything like it. Your methods have definitely improved our relationships.”

—Karen McCormick - Norco, California

“I have already used some approaches on my three-and-half-year-old daughter. The ideas are terrific.”

—Cathy Marlow - San Diego, California

“I am delighted that Dr. Marshall has finally written a book specifically for parents. I have been using his approach since my daughter was five years old. His principles are right on the mark.”

—Jodi Walker - Valencia, California

“Your parenting book gives the antidote to so many challenges. The strategies provide parents and grandparents help to work smarter and more effectively.”

—Paul Wislocki - Middlebury, Connecticut

“This is a practical, easy to understand, parenting handbook that presents a different way to think about behavior and child rearing. The ideas presented have already proven to be effective in the classroom and are sure to help parents create a happy, effective family unit.”

—Dr. Gwen Kessell - Lakeland, Florida

“I love the book! It makes so much sense! There are so many big aha moments. It is so helpful and has been magic with my daughter. She finally cleaned up her room! Thank you so much. The book has made a huge difference in my approach to parenting and teaching!

—Patricia Richmond - Port Orange, Florida

“As a former principal, I was a disciple of the Discipline without Stress philosophy. As a grandfather, I am also using the excellent strategies in the parenting book. Promoting responsible behavior allows parents to have “a life of their own.”

—Tom Bowers - Venice, Florida

“I have been struggling with my nine--year-old son. He has been consciously making bad decisions. After reading your book, my frame of mind immediately changed to “How can I change my approach? The wealth of information and how to apply it are overwhelmingly enlightening.”

—Kehaulani Ah Quin - Honolulu, Hawaii

“Powerful in its simplicity, Marshall’s approach has the ability to transform relationships and help children see that responsible choices are the key to getting what they want out of life.”

—Sonya Overman - Goshen, Indiana

“This book is a very easy and quick read. I only wish that they would give out this parenting book at every baby shower or as a gift from the hospital when the baby and new mom go home. If everyone would parent like this, the world would be a much better place.”

—Lisa Lane - Lafayette, Indiana

“This book provides parents with a global positioning system for raising responsible children. This book is the road map for successful parenting.”

—James Burns - Winnebago, Illinois

“This is the book that parents and others who work with children have been looking for. As I read it, I was able to apply the simple concepts to my situations to see exactly where things went right or wrong. The concepts are universal to human interactions.”

—Kerry Ketcham - Des Moines, Iowa

“Your parenting book is so timely because responsibility seems a dying character trait—where people are motivated from within to do what is right and accept the responsibility for their choices. Parents need to raise their children to be able to make good decisions. This book lays a great groundwork to help them.”

—Elizabeth Finley - Winchester, Kansas

“Knowing what is best and making it happen are two different concepts. Marvin Marshall describes not only what works but also how to make it happen. Elegantly simple to understand, the simple, no-nonsense approaches in this parenting book work as well with young children as they do with teenagers and young adults.”

—Joy Darden Widmann - Louisburg, North Carolina

“This book shows parents how to teach children to be self-disciplined and to do the right thing simply because it is the right thing to do, rather than relying on obedience.”

—Sharon Millwood - Monroe, North Carolina

“I am looking forward to recommending this book that provides fresh and compelling wisdom for parents. It inspires, and the ideas and recommendations will become part of those who read it.”

—Donna Gawell - Westerville, Ohio

“Your parenting book is exactly what every parent desperately needs because it does what other discipline experts have not done: It retains the authority responsible parents need while allowing the respectful relationship parents want. Your sensible strategies show parents how, while your awesome anecdotes, stories, and examples offer practical suggestions. The delightful, well written, and enjoyable style is an added bonus.”

—Bill Page - Nashville, Tennessee

“I appreciate the specific steps and suggestions. They are clear and easy to read and therefore easy to apply. I am excited about sharing this work with my adult children who are at the beginning stage of parenting. As a school administrator, mother of five, and grandmother of nine I wish for all parents to have this book for helping children develop.”

—Connie Giles - Austin, Texas

“The book gives specific examples of how to help children become more responsible. It is a great asset for parents of any age child.”

—Diane LaGrone - Austin, Texas

“I have gleaned wonders from this book! There are so many things I have learned and implemented with my children.”

—Michelle Holbrook - Payson, Utah

“Marvin Marshall speaks with clarity, providing simple and practical steps parents can take to foster responsibility. After reading his book, you will have all you need to parent with confidence and with a predictable outcome.”

—Brenda Fuller - Charlottesville, Virginia

“As both a parent and a teacher, I strongly believe that in today’s world it is more important than ever that we teach children how to make good choices—not through coercion, bribery or threats, but in a respectful loving way that inspires and teaches children to do the right thing simply because it is the right thing to do. I have used Dr. Marshall’s approach in my classroom for the past several years. Each year I am amazed at how well the students respond to the hierarchy and how much more learning takes place. The approach really works!”

—Robin Tzucker - Kirkland, Washington

“My son is oppositionally defiant. I read the entire parent book manuscript and loved it. Thank you so much for writing it and for addressing the needs of parents.”

—Alana Newman - Renton, Washington

“Your approach is truly inspiring! I'm using it with my 10 and 12-year-old children. It’s awesome.”

—Connie Fletcher - Spokane, Washington

“This is a fantastic book! Just learning how to ask reflective questions is worth the entire read.”

—Joan Brookins - Pine River, Wisconsin

What International Readers Say

“I am a single parent and my children really test boundaries, but using the techniques and advice in this parenting book I am able to maintain control without screaming or punishing. The approach is fair, predictable and comprehendible, which makes it easy and effective. Best of all, it works!”

—Kathy Ferguson - Brisbane - Queensland, Australia

“This is a goldmine of a book with solid, practical nuggets on every page. Each one is profoundly life enhancing. Implementing the approaches will make you not only a much better parent, but also a much better person.”

—Jodi Kofsky - Dover Heights - New South Wales, Australia

“Parents will find this book simple, practical, and highly valuable in reducing levels of frustration. It brings a brighter future.”

—Aaron Grugan - Griffith - New South Wales, Australia

“This is one of the best parenting books I have read. I just wish I would have had it when my children were younger.”

—Marianna Kulcsar - Cochrane, Alberta, Canada

“Give this book to all the new and old parents you know.”

—Helen Watler - Duncan - British Columbia, Canada

“This book is a great reference for parents. The use of empowering contingencies has certainly reduced my stress. The many examples and simple techniques are applicable to young people of all ages.”

—Vaidhehi Kumar - Markham, Ontario, Canada

“This book lays out the principles to affect positive, empowering choice-making in young people.”

—Melissa Marsh - Port Hardy, British Columbia, Canada

“What a timely, intelligent and useful book! The clear explanation of how to help children make good decisions and be responsible is well stated, easy to implement, and very practical. Thank you, Dr. Marshall, for helping us to raise a responsible next generation.”

—Arlene Geres - Surrey, British Columbia, Canada

“I'm Chinese and a teacher in Beijing, China. It has always been a headache to keep the class in a good order every day before I used your Hierarchy of Social Development. After learning the hierarchy, my students have changed a lot. They evaluate their behavior every day. Even the most challenging boy is now trying his best to make progress. Thank you for your great ideas that have brought happiness to me and parents.”

—Linda Nan Lee - Beijing, China

“The book is a magic wand in the hands of parents to transform young people into responsible adults without stress on both sides. A ‘must-read’ book for every parent and every adult dealing with adolescents!”

—Dr. S. Dawood Shah - Vandalur, India

“I loved this book! It’s not just another parenting book, and I was pleased to find it was much more than a book for teachers re-worked for parents. I’m passing this book on to my children, in hopes that they will not make the same mistakes I made with them. Bravo, Dr. Marshall!”

—Debbie Mills - Casablanca, Morocco

“I am a member of an educational enterprise that runs five high schools and colleges in Kathmandu, Nepal. I found your thoughts and ideas in your parenting book unique, practical, and effective for parents and educators all over the world who want to make a difference in educating children of all ages.”

—Joseph Niraula - Kathmandu, Nepal

“I recommend this book to every parent who wants to assist children to become responsible, self-reliant, independent problem solvers. It offers supportive, excellent advice for difficult situations that arise in parent-child relationships.”

—Joan Western - Auckland, New Zealand

“This book is hands down the most practical and resourceful parenting book I have ever read. It gives hope and down-to-earth suggestions with the desirable effect of fostering stronger and closer bonds while preparing young people to become responsible and caring adults.”

—Debbie McFadyen - Christchurch, New Zealand

“The book makes so much sense. It has long been my belief that children respond best to being given responsibility, which raises their self-esteem. Thank you for your common sense, practical advice.”

—Judy Lee - Half Moon Bay, New Zealand

“What good, practical wisdom!! I am learning how important it is to acknowledge instead of praise and to communicate in positive ways. The book’s advice is practical, clearly written, and has many insights about parenting.”

—Cheah Yin Mee - Singapore

“Your approach prompted me to sit back and reflect. Offering my seven-year-old choices rather than decrees showed immediate, positive results!”

—Doug Williams - Seoul, South Korea

“I have been searching for a more human kind of discipline approach. Since reading the book, I’ve been changing the way I talk to my daughters. By talking to them in a positive way and letting them know how I care, things changed very fast. Dr. Marshall’s principles have definitely helped me.”

—David Henestrosa - Manresa, Spain

“I find many of the things you say in the book help me: avoiding negative language, expect the good to happen, and how to ask reflective questions. A lot of sentences are so good I would like to hang them on the wall. I also like the quotations that you put in to help make your points. Some ideas seem too easy, but they work.”

—Lena Lilja Hallnissa - Leksand, Sweden