The Parent Practice team, led by Melissa Hood and Elaine Halligan, have been delivering positive parenting courses since 2004 designed to make families happier by giving parents skills and strategies that allow them not only to parent more effectively, but to enjoy their children more. Based on science and tested in families, Real Parenting for Real Kids provides realistic and workable solutions for real families living real lives in the 21st century.

Melissa Hood draws on years of experience as a professional and as a parent to debunk many of the myths of parenting, provide insights into children s behaviour and practical solutions to everyday issues faced by parents of school aged children. With worksheets and other resources, you will learn the 7 essential skills and be able to take action immediately to transform your family life. Far from making you feel guilty about your parenting this book celebrates mums and dads and the creative solutions they find for everyday parenting dilemmas. The experiences of hundreds of parents are shared here.

About the Author
Melissa Hood is the founding director of The Parent Practice. A former solicitor, when her youngest was born she changed career to spend more time at home, working part time as a decorative painter. She took a parenting class when one of her sons, diagnosed with dyslexia, was in trouble at school with impulsive, aggressive and disruptive behaviour. Melissa and John wanted to address the behaviour, as well as help him academically. The advice transformed their family life as they learnt how to understand their children's needs better, communicate more positively and improve their confidence. Melissa completed the Teacher Training Programme (New Learning Centre) in 1998 and was a Parenting Facilitator there for 6 years, running parenting skills classes, workshops and parent and family consultations. She founded the Parent Practice in 2004 and since then she has led hundreds of classes. She has a Certificate in Systemic Family Therapy (Birkbeck) and is trained in NLP, Group dynamics, Non-verbal communication and Supporting Separated Families. She is the first UK Gottman Certified Educator to lead Bringing Baby Home Workshops.

Reviews

Amazon reviews:

'There are no prescriptive RULES for parenting, but there are definitely TOOLS. Real Parenting for Real Kids provides all the tools to make parenting easier, more effective, more connected, and ultimately more joyous. Melissa Hood's combination of lessons, experience, stories and exercises make the learning of these skills easy and even better ... practical. This book is the manual that should be handed to all parents once they are finished with the what to expect stage!!'

'If you want some practical advice and a realistic tool kit then this is a fabulous book. It is simple and easy to read and never preaches at you. There are great case studies throughout and importantly it retains a sense of humour - parenting should be fun and this book really reflects this. It is well structured so you can dip in and out depending on the specific issue you need help with. Definitely one of the best and most practical parenting books I have read.'

'I am delighted to have found this book, it has helped me to take a step back and to see my daughter's behaviour more objectively and sensitively. I especially love the Golden Book idea - noting good deeds/behaviour in a pretty notebook and reading this out to your child as part of their bedtime routine. I implemented the Golden Book in mid January 2016 and I have definitely noticed this aide has increased my daughter's self esteem and cooperative behaviour. My daughter regularly says is this good enough to go in the Golden Book with a big smile on her face. I also like the structure of this book whereby the first half is split into informative chapters and the latter half is more real time life situations to practise all you have learnt.'

'Melissa Hood's Real Parenting for Real Kids helps parents reclaim the leadership role in their homes, without resorting to shouting, bribes, threats or punishment. An easy to read yet comprehensive guide for any parent who has struggled to get her child to cooperate, loaded with concrete tools to help parents bring out the best in their children. Hood teaches the essential skills to raise wonderful kids, using stories every parent can identify with to illustrate better solutions for everyday parenting challenges, from squabbling and lying to screen time and schoolwork.'

Book Information
ISBN 9781910056301
Author Melissa Hood
Format Paperback
Page Count 502
Imprint Practical Inspiration Publishing
Publisher Practical Inspiration Publishing
Weight(grams) 645g
Dimensions(mm) 216mm * 140mm * 36mm