Author Dr. Andrew Gibson, creator of Parenting Angry Children and Teens (PACT) Training, has written "Got An Angry Child?" to share his successful methods with parents everywhere in a format that is easy to follow and offers practical techniques for change. "Got An Angry Child?" is for any parent with a child who is acting out, angry, or has been diagnosed with a psychiatric label such as Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), oppositional defiance, conduct disorder, or bi-polar disorder. PACT training has already helped thousands of parents and children restore love and integrity to their relationships.
Got An Angry Kid? Parenting Spike: A Seriously Difficult Child
Andrew D. Gibson, PhD
Loving Healing Press (2009)
ISBN 9781932690897
Reviewed by Paige Lovitt for Reader Views (5/09)
The first reaction that I felt after reading “Got An Angry Kid?” was “Wow!” This book teaches parents how to effectively regain control of their family when dealing with a child or teen that is angry and disruptive. Changing how a parent interacts with their child is a key to success. The book is written very concisely and organized in a manner that will make it easy for parents to follow, in spite of there being many steps in the process. There are also appendices that contain charts for parents to track their goals and their children’s goals.
Initially, the book helps parents identify behaviors that their child or children are exhibiting that need to be dealt with. When the author wrote this book, he based much of it on his own personal childhood and parenting experiences. Then throughout the book he uses the story of Spike as his main example of how to apply the principles. He also uses other case examples of families from a variety of backgrounds who are dealing with angry children. This variety of examples and experiences will help parents relate them to what is happening in their own lives.
The program to be followed is referred to as PACT. It stands for Parenting Angry Children and Teens. PACT is a self-help program designed for parents dealing with angry children. It consists of a total of 28 goals that take about eight weeks for changes to begin and a year for the program to be completed. Parents are to apply goals to every aspect of their lives. The first three goals are very basic. The next twenty-five goals are advanced. Parents are not to progress to the next goal until they succeed with the previous one. They can use the charts provided for recording their progress.
I think that every parent who has an angry and disruptive child will benefit from following this program. For some, it won’t be easy because they are going to have to take a close look at how they are currently interacting with their children and recognize their own dysfunctional behavior. For some people, they might see that the pattern of dysfunctional behaviors has been passed down from generation to generation. Perhaps in addition to improving their relationship with their child, they will also be able to improve other relationships in their lives. I highly recommend “Got An Angry Child” by Andrew D. Gibson, PhD, to parents, grandparents and counselors who work with children.
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Reviewed by Heather Strauss (Reader)
Reviewed on March 14, 2012
“Got An Angry Kid? We have a solution. Parenting Spike: A Seriously Difficult Child” by Andrew D. Gibson, Ph.D., is a book that outlines P.A.C.T. – The Parenting Angry Children and Teens Training Program. This book is for parents of a child who is in a constant state of anger and the parents feel like they are fighting a losing battle and losing control of their child. Dr. Gibson came up with P.A.C.T. when he was dealing with a son who had anger issues. He can definitely relate to how parents are feeling with an out-of-control child.
Dr. Gibson illustrates what he means by an angry child by telling us the story of “Spike” throughout the book and then talking about what parents can do based on these situations. He offers 28 steps that the parent will need to implement to bring about some peace in the household. As he states, “Your task is not merely changing your interaction with Spike. You must change your interactions everywhere so that you don’t run the danger of bringing them back to Spike.” It isn’t about just changing the behavior of the child, but the parent has to change his/her behavior also. Only by the parent willing to change will the child be able to change.
Dr. Gibson uses real life stories to demonstrate the bad behavior and then how to use P.A.C.T. to implement changes. He holds your hand throughout the process and gives encouragement along the way. By using this training program, I can definitely see how it would positively affect the lives of angry children and their family. By incorporating the 28 steps into your daily life will give you the skills to deal with some of the challenges that you encounter with other people.
It definitely takes a commitment to follow P.A.C.T., but Dr. Gibson shows that if you are committed, then things can and will change for the better. It won’t happen overnight, but it will happen if you have patience.
When Kathy finds a small stray kitten some amazing things happen. Story's from a Mom's view of the love, caring and patience needed when a child wants to own a pet. Recipient of the prestigious Mom's Choice Award. Delightful illustrations!
When Kathy finds a small stray kitten some amazing things happen. Story's from a Mom's view of the love, caring and patience needed when a child wants to own a pet. Recipient of the prestigious Mom's Choice Award. Delightful illustrations!
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Dr. Gibson illustrates what he means by an angry child by telling us the story of “Spike” throughout the book and then talking about what parents can do based on these situations. He offers 28 steps that the parent will need to implement to bring about some peace in the household. As he states, “Your task is not merely changing your interaction with Spike. You must change your interactions everywhere so that you don’t run the danger of bringing them back to Spike.” It isn’t about just changing the behavior of the child, but the parent has to change his/her behavior also. Only by the parent willing to change will the child be able to change.
Dr. Gibson uses real life stories to demonstrate the bad behavior and then how to use P.A.C.T. to implement changes. He holds your hand throughout the process and gives encouragement along the way. By using this training program, I can definitely see how it would positively affect the lives of angry children and their family. By incorporating the 28 steps into your daily life will give you the skills to deal with some of the challenges that you encounter with other people.
It definitely takes a commitment to follow P.A.C.T., but Dr. Gibson shows that if you are committed, then things can and will change for the better. It won’t happen overnight, but it will happen if you have patience.