123 Magic DVD is a self-help resource aimed at parents and caregivers seeking effective strategies for managing their children's behavior. The DVD is based on the 123 Magic parenting program developed by Dr. Thomas Phelan, a clinical psychologist. The program emphasizes a calm and logical approach to discipline, focusing on the use of three simple, easy-to-remember techniques: counting, time-outs, and silent disapproval. These techniques aim to reduce arguing, yelling, and power struggles between parents and children. Using the 123 Magic method, parents are encouraged to calmly give their children a warning by saying, "That's one," when they engage in unwanted behavior.
Using the 123 Magic method, parents are encouraged to calmly give their children a warning by saying, "That's one," when they engage in unwanted behavior. If the behavior continues, the parent then says, "That's two," followed by "That's three." After the third count, the child is directed to a designated time-out location.
Managing Difficult Behavior in Children
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I was so excited to review the 1-2-3 Magic DVD. More so than I normally am, but it’s because it is for a huge reason. I NEEDED this. I’m warning you that I am about to divulge some emotional and trying times in my life right now. A few years ago I read 1-2-3 Magic and I truly believe that the program works. However, I’ve slipped a little bit lately. My family life has had a fairly dramatic change to it recently. My husband started his year long deployment and silly me didn’t think my kiddo(s) would react in a negative way. Well, the joke was on me because my almost 3 year old daughter turned into a little beast at day 5 of Daddy being gone. I don’t necessarily think it’s just because he left; I think age has a huge play in this. The fact is that she changed and I needed a reminder of how to discipline. Instead of talking less, I was talking more and I was SO sick of hearing my voice. I needed a refresher and as a busy mom that is VERY tired at the end of the day I couldn’t even imagine re-reading the book, no matter how much I wanted to. The DVD sounded so much more appealing to me.
When my happy mail arrived, I knew what I’d be doing during nap time! I needed my refresher 1-2-3 Magic course to begin ASAP. Dr. Thomas W. Phelan had his first seminar in 1982. The first thing that appealed to me is that he has 2 kids, so he knows what it’s like to be a parent! Dr. Phelan seems genuine, relatable, non-judgmental and engaging. I’ve been to a couple other parenting seminars and what stands out about Dr. Phelan is that he is NOT cheesy or condescending. If condescending isnt part of your program, then you shouldn’t be that way in your seminars. At least that’s what I think!
The DVD starts out with Dr. Phelan asking “what kind of kids do you want?” The first thing that would’ve come to my mind before I had kids was probably a kind, smart, happy, healthy kid. Of course I still want all of these wonderful things, but in reality we want a KID WHO LISTENS! We all want to enjoy our kids everyday, right? I have had a few nights where I go to bed wanting to bang my head against the wall and replay the day trying to figure out what I did wrong. I was driving myself nuts.
This DVD was exactly what I needed. Like I said earlier, I needed to be reminded that gentle discipline is ok. Kids need discipline and I know this, but I let my emotions get in the way. 1-2-3. Is something that sounds so simple, really that easy? Is it really…Magic? Yes, you guys. Yes. After the first day of reinstating 1-2-3 Magic, I said to my husband “wow. I feel like I have so much more energy!” I was completely exhausting myself because I was talking so much that my head seriously hurt by the end of the day. Think of all that precious Oxygen getting used up because I’m arguing with my 3 year old. I sat back many times trying to figure out why I was arguing with a toddler. She was winning and I had to take control. Before going back to this program, I’d cry myself to sleep wondering when my sweet little girl would return. I thought maybe this was just how the next year of my life was going to be and figured I’d just throw in the towel. I am not a complainer when it comes to my kids, but I was breaking down. I recognized the giant change that was going on, but our lives could not be like this. Seeing my daughter’s behavior after my husband left broke.my.heart. and led me to tears. Literally. I even cried to my husband telling him I was afraid this deployment was going to change my relationship with my daughter. Almost like I was slowly losing my baby girl.
The basics of 1-2-3 Magic is to talk less and take out the emotion. Easier said than done, right? Not treating your kid like a little adult is mentioned a few times. I really try to not baby talk my kids, but they aren’t little adults. They don’t understand right from wrong all the time and they’re not about to reason with us when they’re 3 years old. WE need to be the adult and show them the way. They really don’t need a minute long explanation about why they can’t have a cookie before dinner. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that many grown kids have an I deserve it all and I deserve it now personality, when they’re growing up in a let it all hang out and express your emotions world. Of course I want my kids to tell me how they’re feeling, but there has to be balance. As parents, we need to get back to the basics so that our children can make the world a better place and BE GOOD. They’ll learn self control eventually, but we really need to help guide them to that point.
The purpose of the time-out is to allow the child to calm down and reflect on their actions. The recommended duration of a time-out is typically one minute per year of the child's age. During the time-out, parents are advised to refrain from engaging in conversation or eye contact with their child. In addition to counting and time-outs, the 123 Magic program also promotes the use of silent disapproval. This involves parents briefly removing their attention and eye contact from the child following unwanted behavior. The 123 Magic DVD provides practical examples and demonstrations of these techniques in action, as well as guidance on how to handle common challenges such as whining, bedtime problems, and sibling rivalry. It also offers strategies for strengthening the parent-child relationship through positive interactions and effective communication. Overall, the 123 Magic DVD aims to provide parents and caregivers with a clear and practical framework for managing their children's behavior in a calm and effective manner. By implementing the techniques outlined in the program, parents can establish clear boundaries, reduce conflict, and create a more peaceful and harmonious home environment..
Reviews for "The Power of Choice: Empowering Children with the 123 Magic DVD"
1. John - 2/5
I must admit that I was quite disappointed with the "123 magic dvd". Despite the promising title, the content of the DVD was lacking. The strategies presented were not as effective as they claimed to be, and I didn't see any significant improvements in controlling my child's behavior. The DVD also lacked depth and failed to provide any real insight into the psychology behind parenting. Overall, it felt like a generic and superficial guide, and I wouldn't recommend it to others.
2. Sarah - 1/5
I found the "123 magic dvd" to be a complete waste of time and money. The techniques suggested were simplistic and didn't offer any substantial advice on dealing with challenging child behaviors. The DVD lacked any real depth and failed to address the underlying causes of misbehavior. It felt like a cheaply made production with poor production values and a lack of credible experts. Save your money and opt for more credible sources on parenting strategies.
3. David - 2/5
I regret purchasing the "123 magic dvd" as I found it to be highly disappointing. The material presented was nothing new or groundbreaking, and it failed to provide any valuable insights or techniques for managing child behavior. The DVD lacked engaging content and was rather dull to watch. The production quality was also subpar, and it left me questioning the credibility and expertise of the people behind it. I would definitely not recommend this DVD to anyone looking for effective parenting strategies.
4. Emily - 1/5
I was extremely dissatisfied with the "123 magic dvd". The strategies mentioned were oversimplified and lacked practicality in real-life situations. I found myself struggling to implement the techniques suggested, as they did not address the complex nature of child behaviors. The DVD also lacked proper explanations or step-by-step guides, leaving me confused and frustrated. I would advise parents to look elsewhere for comprehensive and effective parenting resources.