Anyone read The Difficult Child?

[J2]

Has anyone anyone read the book The Difficult Child? It looks like a good book from the excerpts I read on amazon where it lets you preview the book, but thought I would come on here to see if others have read it.

[What Next?]

If you're referring to Stanley Turecki's book from the 1970's, then yes, I have read it, and it changed my life.

The book is old (though I know there's a newer version available), and some of it seemed outdated (like using the word "difficult" to describe a child!), but if you can look beyond all that, the core message of the book is fantastic.  As I read it, I kept thinking, that's my dd, that's how we interact! 

The hard part is doing the WORK that Mr. Turecki outlines.  You really must do the exersizes - on paper! - in order to see the patterns and prioritize how your family will proceed.  I'm definitely one of those people who get to a quiz or worksheet, do it in my head, draw amazing analagies, and then move on to read more, promptly forgetting all the earth-shattering thoughts I just had.  I recommend you read The Difficult Child with a notebook and pen right next to you. 

When dd was almost 3, I did a "I'm completly lost I really need help" visit to the local libraray.  This was one of the books I picked up.  I still have the pages I wrote out listing dd's troublesome behaviors, how I felt about them, and an honest assessment of whether she was in control of any of them.  I have 4 pages of troublesome behaviors (college-rule).  The Difficult Child helped me see that ONLY ONE of those behaviors was within control by my daughter.

ONLY ONE.

Once I realized that, I got the ball rolling to have her evaluated by the school district.  I had no idea what was wrong, but after years of being told she would "grow out of it" and that I was overreacting, I had "proof" that something WAS wrong, and it wasn't my dynamic with her! 

She had moderate to severe SPD.  The world was too overwhelming for her.  Every moment of every day was a challenge to this child.  By the time she started kdg, she had had a year of OT, and two years of more understanding parenting from me and dh.  She was a different child, a delightful little girl!  It all started with The Difficult Child.

And if that one isn't applicable, there are dozens of other books that may help.  Keep looking.  And good luck!