Raising Motivated Kids: Inspiring Enthusiasm for a Great Start in Life (School Savvy Kids) [Kindle Edition]

This is a relatively short book--and just the right size to digest in one or two sittings (as a Kindle version which I read it was a little over 1220 Kindle locations--the remainder being footnotes and sources).

As I read it I was reminded of some very important parenting skills and really, that is what it's all about. Some of it was very basic and probably includes a lot of what you do every day. Some is what you SHOULD do every day but may forget. Some was some very specific to situations that may or may not apply. Overall it is nice having it all together in an easily read volume (though I did skip over a few things not relevant--but the sections certainly fit well and were important for a book of this scope).

To give potential readers an idea, here is the table of contents with some commentary:

1. What is Motivation?

Part 1: The Building blocks of Motivation

2. The First Building Block: Relationship (the importance of building the parent/child relationship and things to do to help)
3. The Second Building Block: A Good Example (modeling good behavior/examples)
4. The Third Building Block: Expectations (living up --or down-- to expectations...expectations are huge drivers)
5. The Fourth Building Block: A Healthy Perspective

Part 2: Motivation Boosters

6. Motivation Booster #1: Patience (importance of age appropriate and significant transitions such as elementary school to middle school)
7. Motivation Booster #2: Storytelling (life, the world, real and made up...and some very specific advice as well)
8. Motivation Booster #3: Developing Curiosity (explanation and lots of very specific ideas)
9. Motivation Booster #4: Learning About the World (lots of broad and specific advice that would have to be tailored to your particular family)
10. Motivation Booster#5: The Attitudes of Responsibility and Optimism (the parents' so that the child may learn!)

Part 3: Motivation Busters

11. Motivation Buster #1: Perfectionism (both inherent in the child and from the parents...um Tiger Mom anyone???)
12. Motivation Buster #2: Attention Problems (includes some details of the not-so-typical problems as well as avoiding 'throwing medication' at the issue)
12. Motivation Buster #3: Single Parent Families (this is NOT an indictment against single parents, but addresses the extra difficulties and gives more strategies)
14. Motivation Buster #4: Burnout (very important!!)

Epilogue: Motivation and Success

Notes

About the Author

Not specifically spelled out above include issues of cheating, late bloomers, faith, learning vs test scores, play and friendships for example.

Really quite a nice read and Highly Recommended!

JTG

This book was recommended to me by my child's doctor and I only regret I didn't have this book years earlier. It's like having the owners book with all of the info that was not before known. Yeah we get tons of "advice" but none of it works because each kids is different. This book has helped me understand how to properly motivate my young kids so they are not only doing what they are supposed to, but working harder to reach THEIR goals. I have had the book for a few weeks and have implemented some of the concepts with fantastic results. This book is a great companion to the book "Positive Discipline".

I found the book very helpful. It is written
in a clear and informative way. As a parent and
a teacher I feel that the author knows what is
important and emphasizes how to enhance a postive and
fruitful relationship with children. Which of course
is the source of motivation.