Listen free for 30 days

Preview
  • Unconditional Parenting

  • Moving from Rewards and Punishments to Love and Reason
  • Written by: Alfie Kohn
  • Narrated by: Alfie Kohn
  • Length: 8 hrs and 41 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (43 ratings)

Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo + applicable taxes after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Unconditional Parenting

Written by: Alfie Kohn
Narrated by: Alfie Kohn
Try for $0.00

$14.95 per month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $15.58

Buy Now for $15.58

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Tax where applicable.

Publisher's Summary

One basic need all children have, educator Alfie Kohn argues, is to be loved unconditionally, to know that they will be accepted even if they screw up or fall short. Yet conventional approaches to parenting such as punishments (including "time outs"), rewards (including positive reinforcement), and other forms of control teach children that they are loved only when they please us or impress us. Kohn cites a body of powerful and largely unknown research detailing the damage caused by leading children to believe they must earn our approval. That's precisely the message children derive from common discipline techniques, even though it's not the message most parents intend to send.

More than just another book about discipline, Unconditional Parenting addresses the ways parents think about, feel about, and act with their children. It invites them to question their most basic assumptions about raising kids while offering a wealth of practical strategies for shifting from "doing to" to "working with" parenting - including how to replace praise with the unconditional support that children need to grow into healthy, caring, responsible people.

©2005 Alfie Kohn (P)2016 Tantor
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2
activate_samplebutton_t1

What listeners say about Unconditional Parenting

Average Customer Ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    33
  • 4 Stars
    6
  • 3 Stars
    2
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    2
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    29
  • 4 Stars
    6
  • 3 Stars
    1
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    2
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    31
  • 4 Stars
    2
  • 3 Stars
    2
  • 2 Stars
    2
  • 1 Stars
    1

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Every Parent Should Read This!

This book was funny, eye opening, practical and not preachy about parenting styles. By putting other styles of parenting under a microscope, you're forced to really look at what kind of parent you are and how to become the one you want to be. A must read for every parent!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

eye and heart opening bit of empathy and wisdom

incredible book that shines a light on our unconscious, preconditioned way of seeing and managing our children. I can't recommend any other book above this one when it comes to parenting. they say kids don't come with manuals. Now thanks to alfie kohn, they do.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

Alfie’s condescending tone overrides any positive out for me to learn from his message

I really enjoy the message of unconditional parenting. However, is incredibly off putting how condescending Alfie is towards other techniques or parents who don’t match his methods.

I had really hoped to learn something from this book but he contradicts himself when he mocks other parents. Parents like me, who have made those mistakes but want to do better.

I’ve reached the 3rd chapter and am left feeling insulted and put down. I’m not sure I can continue the book. I simply cannot take him seriously.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Comes across preachy, not helpful.

I'm an avid listener of "Repectful Parenting" books on audible. though this title is definitely heading in the direction of that and is over all based on respecting our young, I find the author lingers to long on the negatives as opposed to offering solutions to traditional parenting. to be frank, this book is a bummer. I made it half way through and have decided I'm done. It may be for some, but not for me.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

Terrible run on book

Just a terrible run on repetitive book that gives no solutions only observations criticizes studies and then uses the word study to promote his stuff.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!