This is review one of two. For the other one, click here.
ScreamFree Parenting by Hal Edward Runkel is a unique parenting book (or revolutionary, as he describes it in his subtitle). Lest you think that you don’t need this book, because yelling at your kids isn’t something that challenges you, the concept of “screaming” is a pretty broad one–including actual screaming, disconnecting, and overcompensating. So, even if you interact with your children in a calm way, you might still need a little mentoring in being ScreamFree, which Runkel defines as
taking hold of your own emotional responses no matter how anyone else chooses to behave; learning to focus on yourself and take care of yourself for the world’s benefit.
He begins the book by telling the reader to take what you wish from the book: “You do not have to accept all that I say in order to enjoy the types of relationships you crave or become the type of parent you desire to be.” Yes, he believes in the principles that he’s teaching, but what a refreshing change from many of the parenting books that insist that you follow each dictum to the letter in order to have a successful family.
For some of us (I say, raising my hand guiltily) the lack of emotional control is where we most need help in relating to our families. For others, perhaps it’s being forced to admit that if Momma ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy. He encourages parents that we must take care of our
selves in order to parent our children with the proper perspective and level of commitment that it takes to do so well. As he so rightly observes, “Parenting is not about children, it’s about parents.” He fills us in on the definition of a true show of love, being not I love you for your benefit, or I love you for my benefit (as many parents do), but I love me for your benefit.
I found the chapter on labeling to be quite helpful (humorously titled, “You are not a prophet (and neither is Grandma).” Not only does Runkel advise parents not to label their children (You are a Math wiz! or You are always so creative), but he tells you how to better express yourself–use “sometimes” or “can be” instead of always in order to allow room for a child to change instead of assigning them a certain personality within the family.
The second chapter that I should probably read daily until I can apply the concept is “Empty threats are really broken promises.” As a parent my words and actions (or lack of actions) are so critical to my children’s success. I know that parenting takes work, and this book perfectly straddles the line of encouragement, practical advise, and sometimes a much-needed kick in the pants!
For more information visit screamfree.com where you can take the ScreamFree Living quiz, and watch video clips and read the first chapter of the book. Leave a comment right here for a chance to win one of five copies of this book.
This giveaway is linked to Bloggy Giveaway’s Fall Y’all Giveaway. Click over there for many more giveaways, and come back here every Monday for a new book review and giveaway and the winners of this giveaway
Hope I win 🙂
Carrie:
I do public relations for screamfree! I’m sorry if noone has gotten back to you! Please contact me directly on davem@screamfree.com or call tiffany, who schedules interviews at 770-239-1733.
This book sounds like a must-have.
This sounds like a great book to read! I would love to win one!!
I would love to read this book.
I saw this the other day on the today show & wanted it then. Haven’t felt the need to scream yet, as my daughter is just 7 months old, but I know it’s coming! Thanks!
Oh I would definitely love this book! I read all things parenting, all the time! Thank you!
If I don’t win it, I know I’ll be checking to see if I could get it from the library!
Please count me in! Thank You!!
Please count me in!! Thank you.
I’d like a chance to win this book… for a friend. Yeah, that’s it. For a friend. 😉
Icould really use this book!
Sign me up!
Would love this book!
Please enter me!!
I could really use this.
This is great! Thanks!
As baby number 5 approaches my life, I’m needing more and more help….
Thanks for sharing!
Looking forward to reading this book! (Please 🙂
we need that book too!
thanks!
if the kids would quit screaming I could enter more giveaways! I’d like to read this! Thanks for the chance!
I would definitely put this book to good use… count me in please!
cool book!
i would love to read this book! pick me pick me!
What a great book to read when you finally find a few minutes to read.
Of course, I could use this book 🙂
Oh boy! That sounds like something I could use. I think I’ll see if the libray system has it, if I don’t win it, of course 😀
Please Count me in! Thank you 🙂
Sounds like a great book! I’d love to read it! 🙂
please count me in, i remember my mom screaming at us when we were younger, and now that I have my son I want to stop it.
I was a screaming baby, I guess there’s a good chance my baby will be too.
Was this written about me? Eneter me, please!
My kids would love for me to have this book!
Sounds very interesting. Id love to read this books for more ideas. Thank you!
I’m beyond screaming…. need a book for THAT!
Please add me into your draw 🙂 Thanks so much!
that sounds like a MUST read!!
Sounds like a good read and one we could all benefit from. Thanks for the chance to win.
Count me in.
PLEASE….enter me in 🙂 !!
Scary how many of us say “I could really use this”. Funny tho, I was going to look for this one at the library. Please count me in on your drawing. Thank you!
Count me in. I would love this book.
Sounds like a great book. Count me in!
I’d love to win this book!
I could use this!
I have a couple of friends who could use this book 🙂
I could definitely use this book. I admit my voice gets a little loud sometimes when dealing with my kids. But then again, you’d think they would hear me better than they do.
count me in!
melissa nassraway
What a great giveaway! Hope I win!!!
would love to win
I;m in
Count me in, my favorite topic to read about a better parenting.
I’d really like to read this book. I always appreciate new ways to interact with my kids. Thanks!
I would love to know how to do this. I don’t want to be a mom that yells all the time.
What a great concept. I could really use this book.
Great Giveaway! Please enter me.
could use this!!!!
Please enter me
This sounds like a great book! Please enter me, I could always use the help. 🙂 Thanks!
This sounds good. There is always so much noise in my house I usually have to yell just to be heard some days.
Please enter me…would love to win!
Thank you for a great giveaway!
Looks like a good read!
Oooh, I’d love to win this one!
Wow, I could really use this book.
I would like to be entered for this, I am at the cusp of losing my mind over knowing how to parent my toddler!
Sounds like a great book! I’d like to sign please.
I won’t deny it. I do need this.
Count me in! 🙂
I love it!! (and need it..)
My husband, 3 year old, 20 month old, and twin 4 month olds would thank you. Count me in.
this would be a great book to read! please enter me. 🙂
This sounds like a book I need to read!
“GET IN BED NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!” Do you think I need this book?
Sweet mercy, please sign me up. My child is 3. Need I say more?
Looks awesome! Thanks for sharing!
I think that that is going to be something that I’m going to need in the near future.
ME! PICK ME!
I could definitely use this book. My son is starting the Terrible Two’s!! HELP!!
I only scream on the inside. Would this book still help? Enter me please. Thanks!
Me please! I could use this book!
great book
I have 5 boys. (: Pleezzzzzzzzze pick me!
http://tonsofsons.wordpress.com/
Unfortunately, I could really use this book. Just ask my boys.
Looks great – could definitely use it!
Somedays I feel as if I am going to pull my hair out…..I think I would benefit from this book.
I could really use this book. >.>
Thanks for the entry! I’ll be sure to read it even if not chose. 🙂
OMG, I so need to read this book! My husband is gone so much (ARMY) and will be leaving soon on a 15 month deployment and I am already agonizing over what and how I am going to keep it together since we have a newborn now and not just the two year old and I have found myself this last month just losing it and telling myself I have got to figure something out before my husband leaves permanently for the deployment. So lucky numbers pick me!
I would love to win this book. Thank you.
I could certainly use a book like this.
I would love to win, thanks!
I heard this book was a life savor when it came to getting your kids to sleep!
There are days when my kids won’t listen to me unless I am yelling. I HATE this! I would LOVE to learn from this book!
Sounds like a great book!
I wish it wasn’t true, but I could sure use this book!
I’d love to win to give to my adult children to read:)
I would love to win!
I’d love to win this book! thank you!
Guilty! I need this book SO bad! I seem to ALWAYS be hollering at my kids (granted, sometimes I think it’s the only way they’ll hear me!)
I admit that I need a book like this. 🙁 Thanks for a very useful giveaway. 🙂
This book sounds really helpful.
I could definitely use this book. =)
I could really use this book as well…
Sounds like a wonderful book. Enter me please!
http://www.ladybugsandlilypads.com
I, too, could use this. SO BAD.
My children would thank you.
Not that I, of course, ever raise my voice or let my emotions get the best of me. *shifty eyes* Where would you ever get that idea? *shiftier eyes*
What I wouldn’t give to win this book. We could use it!
Hey I am a new mom to a 6 month old that was born 3 months early and has many special needs and sometimes I find myself wanting to scream. I would love this book. Thanks.
SHANNON
palmersf@comcast.net
I’m about ready to lose it right now as my 10-month-old who woke at midnight, 2, 3, and 5:30 (for good) last night, and who is currently STANDING ON MY RIGHT ARM as I type…is driving this very sleepy mama nuts.
Any parenting/coping techniques would be very welcome!
This would be a wonderful win. Count me in!
Good luck to everyone 🙂
Lib
http://not-much-more.blogspot.com
notmuchmorethanthis [at] gmail [dot] com
count me in!
Excellent giveaway. Enter me, please! I could definitely use this some days!
Enter me please!
Wow – I have this book title written on a notecard on my desk from last week! I read an article that Hal wrote about him losing his temper with his children and have been wanting to get this book. I’d love to win it but if not, it’s on my list for the next trip to the Christian book store 🙂 The article I read last week was excellent! And he has great tips for keeping your calm as a parent (even when it seems impossible to do so).
sign me up!
This sounds great – I’m just starting to need it now with my daughter just turning 2!!!
thank you 🙂
I would love this book! With a 14 year old and a 2 year old I need it!
There are plenty of days lately when I could really use this book. Please count me in!
enter me please. I could use this book
I’d love to win!
after today, i really know i need this!
looks like a great book. hope I win.
I think I could benefit from this book.
I’ve been hearing a lot of buzz about this book. I could really use it, that’s for sure!
Hoping to win this one… we could certainly use less negative emotion around here.
please put me into the draw
Looking forward to reading this book, even if I don’t win.
I need this!
Have you been spying on me? (wink, wink) Boy, could I use one of those books! Please sign me in for the drawing and Thanks!!
I’d love this.
Please enter me in this giveaway. Thanks!
I’ve heard about this book. I could use it. I don’t like screaming.
Hugs,
Melinda
Sounds like a great book! Count me in!
I’d love to have a copy of this book!
Yes, please!
As a homeschool mom and babysitter of twins my patience usually falls short very quickly.
Wow! If I don’t win, I should probably go buy this book for myself.
I love it! Thanks for the drawing!
My son is 15 months and not quite to the tantrum stage, so this would be great to have…before the tantrums start! Count me in!
Please enter me!
We have a potty training toddler and a two month old. 🙂 Thanks for hosting such a great giveaway.
I need all the help I can get and would so LOVE to be enteresd in this fantastic contest! please count me in!
Thank you ever so much!
Tina
I am sad that I need this.
They really need “scream free baby – a babies guide to not driving your mommie insaine!” 🙂 We’d really love to read this book my son goes from wonderful to purple faced screaming and sometimes I feel like running outside to scream but I don’t.
hope i win this one!
Thanks for the opportunity.
I had to smile at how many who comment need this book. :0) Me too! It’s nice not to feel like “the only one.” ;0)
Enter me please.
After the day I just had, PLEASE COUNT ME IN! 🙂
Please enter me. I am a “disconnecter” and would like to learn how to respond differently.
Every one could use a little help!
Please add me to the list! I was just reading about this book!
Blessings!
Renee
Wow! What a great giveaway! Please count me in. I’m doing a giveaway over at my place too. Hope you drop by for a quick visit!
I realize that screaming/lecturing isn’t effective with my 3 year old, but I don’t know what to replace it with. Please help!
Oh Wow, could we use that book around here. Not that we scream or anything, oh no. But one can always use a bit of improvement! :>)
this looks like an amazing book. thanks for entering me!
I think every parent could probably benefit from something like this. Please enter me. Thank you
I could use some help in this area…please enter me!
With two teenagers and an almost 5 year old I’m really needing something like this right now!
More winter reading material – yay! Tossing in my comment for a chance… Thanks! 🙂
Oh, if I win could you please overnight it to me?? JK. Great giveaway.
I need this book. I saw the author featured on the Today show last week.
This looks like a great book! Please include me in the drawing!
This book sounds great — thanks for this giveaway!
This book sounds AWESOME.
I could use this one.Please enter me, Thanks!
I think this book could please me!! =)
Yeah, I had a melt-down this morning when my three year-old did. I think this would do me some good…
I NEED this book!
I would also love to read this book
I think this could help everyone.
We definitely need this book in our house!
Wow, 98 comments already! Obviously there’s a need in the world for books like this, and I’m excited about this one that seems both practical and encouraging. Please sign me up!
Please include me!
I’d love this! Count me in.
I have three exaspirating boys and wonder if its my fault at times… could use this book.
Thanks!
Please include me!
Wow, thanks for the information and sign me up. I’ve never heard of this and with a 2 year old, 14 year old and a 16 year old somedays I wonder about my sanity. 🙂
oh yes! i need this one!
Would find this useful. 🙂
I’ve read a lot about this book and it’s been on my “to read” list. Please enter me!
Please enter me in this contest.
Yeah – this would be nice to read. I’d love to win!
Sound useful!
Oh, man. Yesterday, I found myself screaming, “I’m in the BATH-ROOOOOOOOOOOm!” in an oh-so-not-very-nice-tone. My two-year-old came in afterwards and said, “Sorry for yelling, Mom.” Oops!
oh PLEASE!!! You don’t know how badly I need this!!!
I’d LOVE this! add me, please.
blessings,
karla
I would love to read this book. I have 3 little girls!
I’d love to read this book.
mom of 3 boys could use some help! 🙂 pick me! pick me!
I’ve heard really good things about this book. Count me in please.
I need this! : )
Good luck to everyone! I’m sure many of us could find some useful information in this book 😉
I could really use this book!! Pick me!!!
I would love to win this book. Sign me up.
I saw an interview with the author on some talk show (cannot remember!) and it intrigued me. Thanks!
Sounds like a great read!
Hi I would REALLY get GOOD use out of this book with 5 kids in our house
seems I may need this more than I want to admit
With a toddler entering the “terrible twos” and another on the way, I’d love to read this book. Thanks!
Sounds like a great book for me!!!! I’m in!!!
Sign me up! I can definitely read this!
I would love to read this book. I’ve been a subscriber to the ScreamFree newsletter and bought ScreamFree bracelets.
I’ve been trying to contact them to get a representative on the show but they won’t get back in touch. 🙁
Anyway I would love a copy. I like the philosophy.
Please enter me.
Nikki
Would love to win this book
I have twins (‘nuf said) — Please count me in!
This sounds maaaah-velous dahling! Put me in!!
Thanks for the chance to win this book. Who hasn’t found themselves screaming and thought, “I can’t believe I’m doing this!”
Count me in!
Please enter me!
hmmmm, I think I could make good use of this book 🙂
I could use this. Count me in!
Sounds great!
My son is too smart for me, I NEED this book! PLease count me in!
Yeah! I could really use this books. Learned habits are hard to break.
With a 4 year old, I am in desperate need of this book.
This book would really help… : )
I need this book.
tnayar at cox dot net
My baby’s only seven months old, but I’d love to read this book BEFORE I need it.
I have three mischievous little boys…. this is a must! Please put my name in!
I know just who to give this book to…
This sounds really interesting…I would like to learn more about his parenting philosophies and compare them to other books on parenting I’ve read! Thanks!
As a mother of 3 I need this book!
My kids would tell you that I do lose it occasionally and I hate it when that happens.
Ok, I’ll admit, I need this book. I have a lot of broken promises.
Looks like this would be a great read.
Oh how I want to win this book!
Great prize! Thanks!
I CAN’T BELIEVE SOMEONE WROTE A BOOK ABOUT SCREAMING AT KIDS!!!!!!!! (my computer scream! haha) Seriously, not a daily issue for me but I’ve been known to let it fly now and then so I’m on my way to take the quiz. Scared, but gonna do it! =)
Thanks for sharing this!
I think we all need this book!!
Before being a parent, I was definitely a control freak. I am getting much better, but still have a hard time when things don’t go as planned (and my son is almost 2)! I am getting better, but this book would be so much help!
Another Mom who really NEEDS this book!
Any extra parenting advice is much appreciated at my house.
I’d be crazy if I think I won’t need this book…
I LOVE their email tips… please count me in for the book!
I am in very much NEED of this book!
I NEED this book.
What? You aren’t supposed to scream? Just Kidding! Kinda! 🙂
Any parenting advice is much appreciated so count me in! 🙂
I just got this from the library. Would love a copy of my own. Sign me up.
Would love this, please count me in!
I’m actually in line to read this from the library. I would love to have my very own copy!
Oh, sign me up….sounds good!
Great book. Enter me.
I would love a copy of this book!
I’d love to have this book. Thanks for the chance.
Definitely something I need – glad to see others need it too 🙂 Thank you!
I’ve been screaming way too much lately! This sounds like the book for me.
Would love to have this book! THanks a ton:)
This would be great to win!!
Oooh, I’d love to read this.
With 7 children, there are days I need this!
I blogged ya: Monday Edition of Contests Galore
Gosh I would love this book!!!
Thanks!
I’d love to have a copy of this one! 🙂
I’d love to read this book!
I have 17 mth old triplets…and yes…patience is a virtue…but some days…let me put it this way…this book comes in handy!!!
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!YES!!!!!!!!PLEASE!!!!!!!!!
I would love a copy! Count me in.
Oh, I need this!
I would LOVE to have a copy of this book.
Sounds like a really good book! Pick me!!
I really, REALLY need this book!!
I would LOVE this book. I try not to yell, but every now & then I lose my cool! 🙂
LOL – How perfect this would be as my four year old son keeps testing mommy and daddy.
I always love new ideas for parenting!
Information is power! I’d love to have a copy of this book.
I would love to read this book.
This sounds like a book I could use. My husband says that I sound like I’m insane whenever I yell. Not that I yell, really. Hypothetically speaking. Ahem.
i could use this book
I need this book. Please count me in.
oh man I NEED this book!
I could really use this book.
I could definitely use this book.
I could really use this book. I feel my patience slipping more and more lately and my first reaction is to yell.
Le Anne
yardsaleprincess1@yahoo.com