Even normal, well-adjusted children manifest difficult behavior. At times they can be disruptive, messy, shy, dawdling, aggressive, depressed, hot-tempered, nervous, withdrawn, compulsive, cruel, babyish, sexually precocious, rebellious, lazy, fearful, hostile, and underachieving, to name but a few frequent and justifiable causes for parental concern. Covering early childhood through adolescence, this guide by two leading child psychologists takes the perplexity and panic out of minor and major crises and outlines practical steps parents can take to help their child.

In this book you will get a clear understanding of all that is known about immature and insecure behaviors, habit disorders, and peer problems, as well as antisocial behaviors, drug abuse, sexual misbehaviors, and other difficulties. You will not only see why your child is having trouble, you will be given the widest possible choice of different strategies to deal with each situation. Sections on preventative parenting spotlight child-rearing techniques that avert or minimize behavior problems. Detailed bibliographies list professional references and suggested reading materials. And the authors fully discuss how to recognize when a child's problem warrants professional help.

When the very latest knowledge translated into words that every lay person can comprehend, and with a wealth of illuminating and heartening case histories, this sound guide will help you become the effective and loving parent that both you and your child want you to be.