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email: elisa at drmedhus.com

Dr. Medhus is available to speak
about parenting, her books, and much more.
Email her at the address
above with your information.

Hearing is Believing Reviews

5/5 Stars--Reviewer: Midwest Book Review (see more about me) from Oregon, WI USA Words can make or break a child's efforts, and effective communication with kids involves choosing them carefully. Parents interested in better interaction with kids will find Hearing Is Believing deftly blends humor with fun insights as it pinpoints common phrases and words which can inadvertently provide the wrong message. An important set of considerations on underlying teachings.

Comment from ClubMom member:
Hi Dr. Medhus, I'm not sure if you'll remember me, I have been with [ClubMom] for about 4 years now, but when they had all the problems getting the message boards working, I almost stopped coming by, only visiting the Dogs and Homeschooling (I moderate Homeschooling) message boards. So during the last year, I took the time to read two of your three books: Raising Children Who Think for Themselves, and Raising Everyday Heroes: How to Parent Children to be Self-Reliant. I haven't read Hearing is Believing: How Words Can Make or Break Kids, but I'm sure it's as good as the last two. I SO agree with your parenting methods. My daughter is 10, my son is 7, and even being a new parent, I knew what I wanted for my children. I've always used the methods of discipline and conversation you recommend in your books. For instance, when my daughter was 2, she would put those little fists on her hips and say "I'm angry with you!" I'd let her know it was perfectly ok to be angry, she's human and anger is a very normal emotion. Then when she was 8, she stood up in my face one time. I stood there patiently.
When she was finished, I calmly said "do I ever talk to you that way?" she said "no" I asked if she knew why, again she said "no", I calmly said "because I have more respect for you as a human being than that" and I walked away from her. Later she apologized for being disrespectful :) I feel so lucky that neither of my kids have gone through a majorly rebellious stage yet, both are more like me, they hate conflict, and have pretty good temperament. Hopefully they'll stay that way, but their father is a hot head :) so I doubt it LOL.
I'm sorry I got so long winded, it was truly my intention to simply
thank you for publishing such wonderful books :)
Michele

Online Booksellers Reviews for HIB
5/5 Stars Reviewer: A reader from Texas
What an insightful and helpful guide to parenting. I believe I can do
a better job of raising my seven-year-old as a result of reading this
book. It made me realize the importance of enabling my child to be
more responsible and how that will help him build his self-esteem.
Her message was strong and clear that parents need to help children
recognize their own self-worth and let that, rather than continual
outside validation, determine how they feel about themselves. I feel
better prepared to do this after reading this book.

It is well known that the way we raise our children has a huge
impact on how they will function as adults. Elisa Medhus allowed
me to better understand that. What better gift to give our children
than the chance to be highly functioning adults who can actually
feel good about themselves? This book will help parents give their
children a better shot at a healthy and happy life. The author has a
great sense of humor which made the reading all the more
enjoyable. I highly recommend this book for all parents.

5/5 Great Advice, May 19, 2004
Reviewer: John R. Webb from Houston, TX USA
Elisa has done a great job of providing a highly readable book that
all parents should take the time to read. While most of us do not
have her self control, each time we heed the advice to use well
thoght out and supportive words, the entire family benefits. I hope
she coninues to share her wisdom with us.

5/5 WOW!!!, May 14, 2004
Reviewer: A reader from Galveston, Texas USA
This is great information, if only our parents had read a book like
this. I believe some of the negative things that are said to us by our
parents are rerun in our heads until we believe they are true. Just
think if all the non-judgmental and postitives were rerun in our
heads instead. We would be such a happy and productive world.

5/5A MUST read!, May 2, 2004
Reviewer: A reader from Austin, TX USA
I didn't expect to laugh the whole way through as well as gain
insight into new techniques in parenting. Dr. Elisa Medhus shares
how words such as "Stop that!" and "I'm so disappointed in you" are
just not the right things to say. Instead she teaches many types of
word phrasing:

-Objective
-Observational
-"I" Messages
-Questioning

Examples include: "Feet belong on the floor, not on the table." "It's
not safe to rollerblade without a helmet."

She also makes me laugh with her candid guinea-pig examples of
family scuffles. It provides a lighthearted and tongue-in-cheek
backdrop for the true substance and life applications in "Hearing is
Believing." What a great book

5/5 A Must-Read for Any Adult Who Talks to Kids, May 1, 2004
Reviewer: A reader from Houston, TX USA
I've read a lot of books over the years, but this one is truly
remarkable and unique. Medhus has a style all her own. Her love for
all children, not just her own five, comes through in every
paragraph. And from page one, I could tell she's one of us--a mom
who's been there in the foxholes struggling to raise her kids in an
age when doing so has never been harder. Thank God for the rest of
us, she's come up with solutions that can make most of those
struggles go away. Her advice is practical and easy to follow, and
she presents it in a humorous way that made me laugh from cover
to cover. I couldn't put the book down! More important: I've tried her
suggestions out, and they really work! Dramatically. My life as a
parent has transformed because of it. My three kids are happier and
better behaved. Raising them is actually fun--and easy. My
relationship with my them (and my husband) is the best it's every
been. Plus the whole family seems happier and more peaceful. The
real question is: Why hasn't anyone thought of this concept before?
Seriously! So, if you want a book that will--almost overnight--
change life for the better for you and your kids, read this Hearing is
Believing! I'll put good money on a bet that this one will win as
many awards as her first book, Raising Children Who Think for
Themselves, did.