Magic 123

[jwmcdaniel]

Would someone explain what Magic 123 is to me??
I've read it in one or two posts now, and my curiosity is up.

- Jennifer

[AnnW]

You really need to read the book, but basically..you count the behaviours you want to stop and chart the behaviours you want to encourage.

[Diane]

I copied this from another site... everything I hear about this book is very positive. The next time I make it to the book store... I'm picking it up. :)

1-2-3 Magic Training Your Child to Do What You Want... By Thomas Phelan

If this excellent form of discipline appeals to you, get the whole story by buying the publication. Phelan's book, 1-2-3 Magic, Training Your Child to Do What You Want. In addition to very thorough coverage of his counting method for time-out, Phelan also includes a section for teachers, a section for more serious stop-behaviors, such as lying, stealing, or playing with fire, and a section for start-behavior tactics.
This book is a must-read for parents of children aged two up to early teens.

[MaryL]

I absolutely agree! I've used this method with my kids...it really encourages "no arguing" with the parents, etc. I recommend it to everyone. My kids "tested" the system a couple of times...but when they realized that I would get to three and follow through with the consequence, they got the idea! (These days, I only have to say"that's one"...I hardly get any further! LOL)

[kat]

Originally posted by MaryL
I absolutely agree! I've used this method with my kids...it really encourages "no arguing" with the parents, etc. I recommend it to everyone. My kids "tested" the system a couple of times...but when they realized that I would get to three and follow through with the consequence, they got the idea! (These days, I only have to say"that's one"...I hardly get any further! LOL)

Your only having to count to one reminded me of a joke I heard once about a man and his wife traveling on a donkey loaded down with all their belongings. The donkey stumbled and the man said "one". Later the donkey stumbled again under the strain of the load, and the man said "two". Then the donkey stumbled a third time and the man shot the donkey. His wife began to complain about how they were going to get where they were going without the donkey, who would carry their belongings, etc. The man then took everything off his donkey and between the two of them had everything. The wife was still complaining as they set off, and the man said, "That's one".

[Diane]

LOL... that's really cute!

Diane... :wave:

[MaryL]

LOL! Cute story!!!!! I've even told my boys that they don't even want to KNOW the consequence if I get to "3"!!! I'm so mean!!! LOL The other day my oldest ds said that he was mad at me because I wouldn't let him do something. I said, "Oh, honey! You forgot that God gave you the "mean" parents. The ones who have to say "no" to you when we know what is best...the ones who don't let you ride your bike without a helmet...the mean parents who make you go to church on Sunday mornings...the parents who give you food to eat...and even let you have dessert when you finish!...the mean parents who expect you to clean up your toys when you are done playing with them so they don't get broken...etc." LOL....he was giggling by the end of my "mean parents" description.

[AnnW]

Kat..that is an old joke in my family..my parents say that to each other all the time and I will say that to dh when I am really mad! LOL

MaryL...I have that same discussion too! I really took the wind out my dd's sails one time when she said "I don't like you, you are mean!" and I said "So?....It doesn't matter to me if you like me. I am not here to be your friend.. I am your mom"..she just looked at me like "well, shoot, that didn't work!!!" LOL