Who is concerned with the subject matter of this book? I hope everyone is, but it is directed primarily to anyone involved in the raising and guidance of children. This mainly means parents or anyone filling the parental role whether temporarily or permanently. Teachers fill the role of parents during the school day and also have great influence over children. This book is for them also.

Although the book is primarily about using psychological knowledge to influence children in a positive manner, you will find the ideas presented here apply to anyone--not just children.

I am going to provide common-sense explanations for the things I will be writing about. This is to let the sense of the idea convince you rather than just another "expert's" advice. If I lapse into the "expert" role, please forgive me. After all, I may forget that just because I believe in an idea or have detailed knowledge doesn't mean everyone else does. I may forget to explain enough to show the common sense of it.

I remember the days when my wife and I were trying to do a good job raising our own children. That was before I went back to school to learn to do the work of a psychologist. I can distinctly remember being confronted with issues and having to make a decision about what to do. Some of those times I felt completely bewildered about what would be the best decision and wished I knew. I made the decisions anyway, but I wish I had known then what I know now. Some ideas and a general understanding about how to make those decisions is what this book is about.