I consider myself very fortunate to be given this opportunity to review the hardcover edition of ScreamFree Parenting from Broadway Books. It was only recently released on September 4th, 2007 and became an instant national bestseller! Within the first week of its release, it soared to top of Parenting and Family categories of national bookseller rankings.

Hal Runkel, a licensed marriage and family therapist and a former pastor, is the author of ScreamFree Parenting and I find his approach  refreshing as he tells parents to focus on themselves instead of their kids. Through this book, parents will learn how to handle the 21st century child without resorting to coercion, force, fear, begging, bribery, or screaming.  Tell me about screaming at my kids and I am the first to admit. That’s one of the reason I was so eager to review this book.

I found one particular topic he had written about “Kids Need Their Room” very interesting as he emphasizes the importance of how a father should grow as his daughter develops physically. Hal further elaborates that as the daughter grows up, a father should not assume that one can hold and touch his daughter as when she was younger. I can really relate to this advice as when I grew up, I put a distance between my father and I as back then, I felt strongly that I should be given that respect. Hal has definitely struck a chord within me.

ScreamFree Parenting  makes us realize that No one, not even our kids, can make us feel or do anything.  As parents, we are the ones who can control our own emotional responses. This revolutionary approach invites parents to focus on themselves, grow themselves up, and calm themselves down. I am eager to follow these ScreamFree principles and see how far I can go to achieve the family relationship that I’ve always craved.

Verdict : Every parent who wish to raise your kids and not blow your top in the process, should read this book at least once and try out this revolutionary approach that Hal Runkel has so successfully practiced.