Happiest Toddler Parent Success Stories

If you buy one book, this is the one
March 19, 2009, By T. Doucette (Littleton, Massachusetts)
In addition to some ground-breaking techniques this book is a thorough overview of the mind of a toddler and covers so many common problems. Read it, then read it again. Keep it by the bed side, every time you pick it up you get a good idea.

Great book if you have an ‘active’ child
August 30, 2008, By M. Nemeth (Ashford, CT USA)
I have a very active child who won’t listen to “no”. This book helped me realize what is going on in my developing child and made me rethink everything. It is a great read and by putting new practices to use, I notice my child listening and acting better already! Best book I have read yet!

It Works!!
February 15, 2008, By A Strong Poet (Evanston, IL United States)
Yes, speaking toddler-ese to our one year old son works to calm tantrums. It worked the first time I tried it and then didn’t seem to be working, so I quit because it’s kind of embarrassing to do, especially in front of other adults. I started again, at home, because I had to do something. Gradually, it started to work more and more. I am now a convert. He quiets down now much faster. He looks me in the eye and looks at me like I understand. I am so happy!! Thank you Dr. Karp.

Best Advice for parents of toddlers
November 24, 2007, By annabelle (colorado)
Well written, very informative. Dr. Karp not only gives the best advice I have ever received for parenting my toddler, he also teaches you why his advice works. Coming from a mom THIS WORKS!

Works like a charm
May 28, 2007, By Rainy (Seattle)
We are two working parents, so patience and time are frequently limited. I much prefer to use words that expand her vocabulary, not baby words. So, imagine my surprise when I heard that part of the technique was using simple words and phrases, repetition and matching the emotions of the child. Despite the positive praises in the DVD, I was still skeptical.
As I was watching the video, my husband was bringing my two year old toddler up the stairs to bed. She was wailing and he was using his best firm voice. I rushed in the room and used the technique. This child stopped and looked at me like I was a crazy person. She then ran over to me and gave me a hug. I then told her that it was time to go to bed and asked her to help me take off her shoes. Battle #1 over.
As is the norm in our house, the toddler gets in the crib and bounces, sings and calls out to us for 30 – 60 minutes EVERY Night. So, I go into the room and using the technique (even though this is not a true tantrum). After I ackn her desire not to go to sleep, I tell her that it is night-night time and ask for a hug before she goes to sleep. She gives me a hug, grabs her blanket and places her head on the pillow. I rushed to my computer to share the joy. She’s not even singing herself to sleep.
Despite the silly feeling of matching your child’s emotions and simplified language, it really seems to work because the child realizes that you understand what they are feeling. Geez, this is the same stuff they teach in all communication (interpersonal skills) classes.
Give it a try. It’s worth every penny. Oh, I bought the video instead of the book, because I wanted to see the techniques in action. I may pick up a used copy of the book to remind me of the techniques. There are a few and since we have a couple of additional years to survive, it’s nice to have an easy reference.

Finally, Some Answers!
February 24, 2006, By P. Sirtori (Hyattsville, MD)
This book is the answer to any parent trying to cope with an unruly toddler. After a few hours of using the communication tools explained, I noticed a huge difference in my son. After a week he went from having a tantrum everyday to none at all. We now have a whole new respect for eachother and because of this I have a happier toddler and less headaches.

Wow! This worked better than I expected.
January 31, 2005, By C. Kimura “black and yellow fan” (Honolulu, HI)
I was very skeptical when I learned about this DVD. I didn’t think that something could help eliminate 90% of the tantrums that we had with our 2 year old. To my amazement, after my wife viewed the DVD while I was at work. I came home and watched her use it on my son, and it worked. We’ve watched the DVD together since then and have worked on using the techniques to suit our needs. I don’t typically rate products, but I felt compelled to help others who have struggled finding a solution with their toddlers too.

Advice for tantrums that really works
November 29, 2004, By beaky’s mom
I tried all kinds of things but speaking in “toddler-ese” was the only thing that worked to calm down my 2 year old in the middle of a raging tantrum. Dr. Karp’s “fast food rule” is a parenting gem – any child would respond to validation/confirmation of his feelings – when you repeat back what he’s just said he knows he’s being heard. Then he is open to hearing your message. This method works – when I first acknowledge what my toddler feels or wants as Dr. Karp suggests, I am able to get him to do what I need him to do instead. It’s amazing how effective this technique is in dealing with tantrums or better yet, avoiding them altogether.

It really works!!
September 17, 2004, By C. Clark (Midlothian, Texas United States)
I am a mother of a 25 month old. Many of my friends who were also parents of toddlers recommended this book. At first, I was very skeptical. I read through it and tried the Toddler-ese and the Fast Food Rule. It worked immediately!!! In fact today, my husband, my daughter and I were at a restaurant. She started to get upset because she wanted me to hold her. My husband talked to her in Toddler-ese and immedatiately she stopped crying! I am very impressed with this book and will recommend it to others!

A wonderful way to communicate love and respect!
September 14, 2004, By Michele “eternitygirl” (Downers Grove, IL)
After reading Dr. Harvey Karp’s book, “The Happiest Baby on the Block,” and watching that DVD – and having great success using his methods with our newborn – I was anxious to read and watch this follow-up volume. I read the book, “The Happiest Toddler on the Block,” first, which I recommend, to get the nitty-gritty on his methods and to understand the “whys” behind his methods. It takes awhile to get through the book and have it well absorbed, but it is certainly time well spent since it will save you from three or more years of headaches!
I was so impressed by the book that I decided to buy this DVD in order to see real-life examples of his methods. I was not disappointed. This DVD offers a great overview/review of the book, real-life examples with parents and toddlers, and thoroughly covers the main points (such as “Toddler-ese” and “The Fast Food Rule”) as well as most of the side topics (such as “Feeding the Meter” and “Gossiping”). Again, it is time and money well spent since it will help save you from headaches and public embarrassment! And more importantly, you will begin to form a foundation of open communication and mutual trust with your child as you learn to communicate love and respect to him – in his own language – instead of resorting to more violent or forceful forms of parenting. I only wish that Amazon.com would bundle “The Happiest Toddler” book with “The Happiest Toddler” DVD, instead of bundling Dr. Karp’s two books together and his two DVDs together. I agree with the other reviewers that you really should read the book, too, to get the most out of what he is teaching here. But everything by Dr. Karp is wonderful, easy-to-understand, highly effective, and trustworthy. His methods are not gimmicky; he really understands kids and you’ll understand yours better after learning this material. My daughter is about to turn one and I already connect with her better by using Toddler-ese!
What else would you expect from a friendly pediatrician who always (and I mean ALWAYS) wears blue shirts?!? :)

No more dreading temper tantrums
May 10, 2004, By Tamar Meer (MI)
My 22 month old grandson began to scream when I told him it was time to go inside. I spoke “toddlerese” with much expression as suggested by Dr. Karp.
I said, ” No No No” you do not want to go inside.
He looked at me very surprised.
I said, “No No No” you do not want to go inside.
He looked at me again with his mouth wide open.
I said again, “No No No you do not want to go inside, but we must take sister to potty.”
——— he came with me without protest. In the past he would have continued screaming for about 5 minutes and
I would have picked him up kicking and screaming.
Now I can’t wait to read the book The Happiest Toddler on the Block to get more helpful suggestions for the children in my family and in my practice.
Phyllis Meer, RN, BSN,CPNP and proud grandmother of 4.

Fabulous Parenting Advice
April 25, 2004, By Miriam Bookey (Santa Monica, CA USA)
This DVD is not only informative, it’s entertaining as well. The message (using “toddlerese” to connect with your child) was consistently relayed, cohesive and universally appealing. We watched real parents dealing with VERY real kids in the kinds of situations we all experience (fighting over toys, going to bed, etc etc). Frankly, I think this DVD should be packaged with Dr. Karp’s book “Happiest Toddler on the Block,” as it’s imperative to watch and know exactly how to use the method (and to do it without feeling as if you’re “teasing” or speaking down to your child). My husband and I have both watched it and are following Dr. Karp’s method. Are we happy? You bet. Our 2-year-old’s tantrums have gone down at least 75% (both frequency and duration).
ETA: One year later, our son is now two and I recently tried speaking toddler-ese and the fast food rule again. Just repeating back to him what he is upset about in short, simple phrases. Still works!!

Really helpful child-rearing book
December 14, 2005 by Dahlia Lithwick, senior editor and legal writer for Slate.com and NPR
As the perennially weary mother of a 2-year-old and a 7-month-old, I also offer this somewhat embarrassing submission for a really helpful child-rearing book, suggested in turn (and with some embarrassment) by our pediatrician but truly full of tremendous insight: The Happiest Toddler on the Block

This DVD is informative and fun!
Miriam (Santa Monica, CA USA)
This DVD is informative and fun! It shows real parents dealing with VERY real kids in situations we all face (fighting over toys, going to bed, etc etc). We found it is imperative to watch exactly how to do the methods (so you can do it without feeling like you’re “teasing” or speaking down to your child). Are we happy? You bet. Our 2-year-old’s tantrums have gone down at least 75%.

After my wife viewed the DVD I watched her use it on my son, and it worked!
Mr. Kimura , Honolulu, HI
I was very skeptical. I didn’t think that anything could eliminate 90% of our 2-year-old’s tantrums. To my amazement, after my wife viewed the DVD I watched her use it on my son, and it worked! We’ve watched the DVD together since then use the techniques as needed. I don’t typically rate products, but I felt compelled to help others struggling to find a solution with their toddlers.

He quiets down now much faster.
A Smiling Mom, Evanston, IL
Speaking “toddler-ese” to our one year old son works to calm tantrums. It worked the first time I tried it but, I quit because it’s kind of embarrassing to do. Then, I started again, at home, because I had to do something. Now, he quiets down now much faster. He looks me in the eye and looks at me like I understand. I am so happy!!

Finally, Some Answers!
November 24, 2007, By annabelle (colorado)
Well written, very informative. Dr. Karp not only gives the best advice I have ever received for parenting my toddler, he also teaches you why his advice works. Coming from a mom THIS WORKS! Finally, Some Answers!

This book is the answer to any parent trying to cope with an unruly toddler.
February 24, 2006, By P. Sirtori (Hyattsville, MD)
This book is the answer to any parent trying to cope with an unruly toddler. After a few hours of using the communication tools explained, I noticed a huge difference in my son. After a week he went from having a tantrum everyday to none at all. We now have a whole new respect for eachother and because of this I have a happier toddler and less headaches.

The best DVD of the decade.
April 29, 2004 by a Customer
The more you watch it the more sense it makes. We have three boys ages 3, 3, and 6. As you begin to put the techniques into practice you observe the change in your child almost right away. At first it feels odd but with practice all these techniques become second nature. The gossiping works like a charm on kids almost any age. The todler-eze helps toddlers as well as older kids to come out of the impasse and save face. Feeding the meter and other delightful and simple methods all contribute to the child’s well being and makes the parent/ child relationship richer and a stronger bond, for life.

Fabulous Parenting Advice
April 25, 2004 By Miriam Bookey (Santa Monica, CA USA)
This DVD is not only informative, it’s entertaining as well. The message (using “toddlerese” to connect with your child) was consistently relayed, cohesive and universally appealing. We watched real parents dealing with VERY real kids in the kinds of situations we all experience (fighting over toys, going to bed, etc etc). Frankly, I think this DVD should be packaged with Dr. Karp’s book “Happiest Toddler on the Block,” as it’s imperative to watch and know exactly how to use the method (and to do it without feeling as if you’re “teasing” or speaking down to your child). My husband and I have both watched it and are following Dr. Karp’s method. Are we happy? You bet. Our 2-year-old’s tantrums have gone down at least 75% (both frequency and duration).

Wow! This worked better than I expected
January 31, 2005 By C. Kimura “black and yellow fan” (Honolulu, HI)
I was very skeptical when I learned about this DVD. I didn’t think that something could help eliminate 90% of the tantrums that we had with our 2 year old. To my amazement, after my wife viewed the DVD while I was at work. I came home and watched her use it on my son, and it worked. We’ve watched the DVD together since then and have worked on using the techniques to suit our needs. I don’t typically rate products, but I felt compelled to help others who have struggled finding a solution with their toddlers too.

Perfect for busy moms!
April 21, 2004 By Debbie Farmer,author: Don’tPutLipstickontheCat!
I think this video is perfect for busy moms who don’t have time read the book. The information is clear and it presents all of the crucial information found in the book. I give it five stars! Debbie Farmer, parenting author of ‘Don’t Put Lipstick on the Cat’

Very Interesting
March 10, 2010 By E. Cash “CBA” (NJ)
This book as a very interesting perspective and I think it is very good. THe tape defiantly helped whith understanding how to follow through with the books ideas.

Great Parentig tips & tools
June 3, 2010 By Lisa (CA, USA)
The Happiest Toddler on the Block: How to Eliminate Tantrums and Raise a Patient, Respectful, and Cooperative One- to Four-Year-Old: Revised Edition (Paperback) I have only had time to read about halfway through the book (I have a toddler remember) but when my 1-1/2 year old starting acting up I found this book to be a great help. If you open yourself up to the tools and tricks mentioned you’ll find the Terrible Twos to be much more manageable. My son is now 2-1/2 and I can’t even remember the last time he threw a tantrum. The book teaches you to understand and respect your toddler – yes, RESPECT! He just seems happier and much more content now and following the book’s rules have become second nature to us.

Happiest Toddler Parent Success Stories

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