Includes bibliographical references and index.

Parenting : long hours, no pay, excellent benefits -- Building a solid foundation for parenting. Orientation to the parenting profession ; Your job as a parent ; Challenging the little adult assumption ; Avoiding the two biggest discipline mistakes -- Controlling obnoxious behavior : parenting job 1. Getting results through counting ; Advice for nearly any counting challenge ; Disciplining your child in public Real-life story 1 : The case of the temper tantrum terrorist ; How to handle sibling rivalry, tantrums, pouting, and lying ; Real-life-story 2 : The incredible case of the traveling troublemakers ; Getting started with counting -- Managing testing and manipulation. Recognizing the six types of testing and manipulation ; Tales from the trenches -- Encouraging good behavior : parenting job 2. Establishing positive routines ; Getting up and out in the morning ; Cleaning up and chores ; Surviving suppertime ; Tackling the homework problem ; Going to bed -- and staying there! ; Real-life story 3 : The case of bedlam at bedtime ; Managing your expectations -- Strengthening your relationships with your children : parenting job 3. Sympathetic listening ; Real-life story 4 : The case of the fickle friends ; The dangers of over-parenting ; Real magic : one-on-one fun ; Solving problems together -- Enjoying your new family life. Staying consistent ; Your happy, healthy family.

"Being a parent is one of the most rewarding experiences in life, but every family faces challenges that can be frustrating and overwhelming. For more than twenty-five years, internationally renowned clinical psychologist Thomas W. Phelan's 1-2-3 Magic has helped millions of parents, teachers, and caregivers raise independent, emotionally intelligent children and build happier, healthier families-all through an easy-to-understand program that you'll swear 'works like magic'"--