Book Review by Jack Falt, INFJ
There are also two chapters on what I call trait temperaments (to distinguish them from the Keirsey type temperaments), one for the parents and another for the child. It is helpful for the parents to see that they have temperament traits too that they have had to cope with them as they grew up and probably still do. It helps them to be more understanding towards their children when they exhibit these traits as well. The traits are: persistence, sensitivity, adaptability, intensity, activity level, regularity, and first reaction. I have reviewed a couple of other books on these same topics in previous Tell~A~Types. I feel trait temperaments add a further dimension to our type and temperament work that is worth while or considering them.
One additional chapter that I especially like is the on called: When Struggles are More than Normal: Recognizing Medical Issues. These include ADD, ADHD, sensory integration dysfunction, language problems, anxiety disorders, depression, obsessive compulsive disorder, autism and other pervasive developmental disorders, attachment disorders, and encopresis (look that up in your Funk & Wagnel!). Sometimes parents feel very frustrated because even though they use all the techniques they read about, their children still are having difficulties. It is helpful to know when to bring in outside professional help.
The rest of the book includes various tips for parents in handling power struggles with kids. The author is an educator in Minnesota’s Early Childhood Family Education Program. She has also written a book called Raising Your Spirited Child and a workbook that goes with it. If your kids are driving you crazy or you lead groups of parents on how to cope with kids, this is a worthwhile book.