This book represents a lifetime of experiences with children - their problems, joys, and challenges - as observed by one of America's leading psychiatrists, Rudolf Dreikurs.

The author himself notes in his preface: "We do not suggest that parents be permissive, nor do we tell them to be strict or punitive. What we aim for is this: to try to learn to become a real challenge for their children; to become wise and capable of guiding them, without being obstinate and infuriating them."

There are several parents who have found ways to effectively address problems within the family. However, there is a vast majority of parents who literally feel overwhelmed, and their behavior leads to dramatic dead ends.

This book was written to help all parents develop a stable philosophical approach to the issues with their children and to show them the path of a friendly and productive collaboration with their young offspring.