QUESTION: I am at the end of my tether with my 6-year old son. He does not pay attention and is distracting in class. At home everything is fine. He has got a behavior book that he brings to school so his teacher records his behavior for the day. He brings that home and he is punished accordingly, such as early bedtime, no toys/cartoons. He promises to … [Read more...]

The following communication, written by Mary Lou Cebula, an elementary school principal in Warren Township, New Jersey was forwarded to me. She has given me permission to share it. A mother called me the other day to tell me Dr. Marshall’s levels of development are working even at home. Her first grade son is very tired at the end of each day. On … [Read more...]

QUESTION: I have 2 sons, 13 and  15. They fight all the time! It’s not just a punch here, and a shove there; it escalates to a down and out brawl. My older son tells me I favor the younger. I try to be fair, but my older son just likes to "pick, pick, pick" at the younger one, and my younger son has a quick fire temper. He just can't ignore the … [Read more...]

I believe most theories about the stress and strain of adolescence have focused incorrectly on such factors as physical changes, emerging sexuality, new social demands, struggles between being a child and an adult, and other such reasons. This period is difficult for both youth and parents largely because adolescents become so … [Read more...]

QUESTION: My problem is my 21 year old son who has been on a downward spiral for three years. He came home after a half a year away at college with only one credit. Then he enrolled full time at college in our hometown the following school year and failed. The following school year we told him he had to work full time and take a … [Read more...]

There is an increasing tendency for misguided parents to be “authentic” by informing their children that Santa Claus does not exist. Make believe and pretending are integral parts of childhood. Reflect: Has the tooth fairy, the elves on St. Patrick’s day, or Santa Claus ever hurt anyone? Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. … [Read more...]

QUESTION: This is an embarrassing situation for me. I have a strange problem with my son that I have never heard about before. He is fifteen years old and has been stealing my clothes or his sister's clothing and cutting them up into little pieces with scissors or cutting our underwear into a thong. We have had him seeing a psychiatric therapist for … [Read more...]

QUESTION: Dear Dr Marshall, I am mother of two young children (age 3 and 2). I just finished reading the second chapter of your book about motivating. How can I apply the theories for young children? I think without giving rewards and punishments it is hard to make them learn appropriate/inappropriate behavior. Is it too abstract for a preschooler to … [Read more...]

Andrew Carnegie, the first great industrialist in America, once was observed as having 43 millionaires working for him. A reporter asked him how he had managed to hire so many millionaires. Carnegie answered that none of them were millionaires when he hired them. The reporter inquired, “Then what did you do to develop them so … [Read more...]

UNTIL December 31, to order the book described at  parenting Without Stress.org AND receive a special 50% pre-publication discount ($14.99) on the 280-page $29.97 laminated hardbound book, click on the "ORDER NOW" link. You will have an opportunity to receive the discount for single or multiple copies. Books will be delivered shortly after … [Read more...]