“Raising Able” — a good parenting book

Me and my book, "Raising Able: how chores cultivate capable young people."

Many people are liking the book and posting reviews at Amazon.com on how it helps them retire from being the house servant while empowering children.

Below is a review I like because it shows how children and dogs respond to consistency, clear expectations and encouragement. Dogs and children do not have to suffer to learn! Well-behaved children and dogs are nicer to be around. I love that she says the book has no “academic blather.”

By the way, Judy has written her own book available on Amazon about her journey with her Labrador Tucker and their amazing healing journey together after Tucker had a stroke.

THANKS to Judy and all other reviewers. Order a copy of the book from my website or from Amazon. Let me know how the  book helps you retire from being the house servant while building your child’s self-esteem and capability. Post a comment below or email me at susan [at] susantordella [dot] com

Not just for parents, July 5, 2010

By	Judith Wolff (Acton, MA USA) – See all my reviews

This review is from: Raising Able: How chores cultivate capable confident young people (Paperback)

“Raising Able” (love the double-pun title!) is full of practical, workable tips for running a household or, for that matter, a business or classroom. The advice applies not only to raising kids, but also to training dogs, getting the cooperation of a spouse, motivating employees, and even getting yourself organized to tackle chores you’ve been putting off. (I’m curious to try Susan’s fun “volcano” trick for cleaning toilets.)

I’m impressed by how similar the techniques are to positive training for dogs: (1) encouraging (or reinforcing) behavior you want (2) breaking chores down into small tasks is analogous to splitting a new behavior into smaller chunks (3) using actions rather than words: the great dog trainers speak little and wait for the dog to offer the desired behavior (ignoring everything else), avoiding excess chatter. (4) setting boundaries: My dog lives under the rules of NILIF (Nothing In Life Is Free), where he “earns” good stuff (play, swimming, treats, attention), by his behavior. Because my dog has learned to control his behavior, he is more confident, independent, happier, and better able to do his “job” as a companion. Just like raising capable human children.

“Raising Able” is so highly readable that you won’t even notice that it is based on sound principles of learning theory and behavior modification, because instead of launching into academic blather, the author entertains us with personal anecdotes from her family and many other people.