How to Handle a Hard-to-Handle Kid: A Parents' Guide to Understanding and Changing Problem Behaviors

Some children act out, argue, disobey, and throw temper tantrums more frequently than others. If you’re parenting one of these high-maintenance kids, this book is for you. Clinical child psychologist C. Drew Edwards doesn’t just tell you what to do with a hard-to-handle kid. He also explains why some children are especially aggressive and disruptive—because understanding is key to helping them become responsible, competent, and content. He spells out specific strategies for building a solid, positive relationship with your child—and ways to take care of yourself (parenting a difficult child can be stressful!). And he encourages you to become an Authoritative Parent: balancing nurturance and support with structure and direction, blending positive and negative feedback, including children in the discipline process, using family problem solving, and guiding your child toward greater responsibility. Packed with practical information and real-life examples, written with authority and compassion, this is a book you’ll turn to often for advice, insight, and good news: Parenting a hard-to-handle child isn’t an impossible task. These strategies really work.

C. Drew Edwards, Ph.D., has practiced clinical child psychology for over 30 years and co-parented two children to adulthood. In addition to his clinical work, Dr. Edwards speaks on the topics of parenting, childhood behavior problems, and ADD/ADHD. Dr. Edwards is Adjunct Associate Professor of Psychology at Wake Forest University. He lives in North Carolina.