Table of Contents
Acknowledgments 11
Introduction: Is Your Kid Powering Up? 13
It's time to take the buzzard by the beak
1 The Anatomy of a Powerful Child 19
Powerful kids don't just happen; they're created
2 Power Comes in Different Packages 33
Your personal power source is right under, your nose … and she's workin' ya
3 The Loud, Aggressive, Temperamental, Curveball Manipulator 47
This powerful child is easy to spot-you can hear him from across the yard. So can your elderly neighbors
4 The Quiet, Shy, Sensitive, Walk-on-Eggshells Manipulator 59
You may not recognize this child as powerful, but she quietly holds all the cards … until you decide to play your hand differently
5 The Stubborn, Procrastinating Manipulator 67
This child has a powerful MO and a very good rationale for it
6 What Do Genes Have to Do with It? 77
Check out the personalities in the nursery, and you can predict what each kid will be like in 5, 10, 15 years
7 What Does Environment Have to Do with It? 89
All children develop a screenplay on life-and how they fit in- from 18 months on
8 Raising Attila the Hun 105
Why parents unwittingly create powerful children … and what you can do about it
9 Why Kids Misbehave 125
Don't let those cherublike faces fool you. Your smart kids have goals
10 The Attention-Getting Kid 137
What you can do differently to ratchet down your (and their) stress
11 Power-Driven or Determined? 151
How to know the difference and what you can do to successfully maneuver the power surges in your home
12 You're the Adult, They're the Children 167
That powerful child has everything to do with you, your background, and your views of parenting
13 What Kind of Kid Do You Want? 181
Win-win suggestions to get you from where you are to where you want to be
14 Grace-Based Parenting 201
For the prodigal in your life
15 Rewiring Your Home 213
What you used to say, and what you'll say now that you know all of your child's strategies
16 Redirecting the Power Surge 235
How to encourage positive goals and show your kids that they can use their drive for power for a good purpose
Conclusion: You Can Do It! 253
Don't forget the fun. The family that plays together stays together
Top 10 Power Points 259
Notes 261
About Dr. Kevin Leman 263
Resources Dr. Kevin Leman 265
