Brevity works best; stick to the issue; labels can be limiting; zip your lips; lecture no.537, or how to win attention and influence children; "why?" doesn't work; how to say "no" - and mean it; the "you can do it" approach; when to join the opposition; the 1-2-3 method; saving face; consequences and choices instead of punishment; keep your word; listen and learn; the storytelling technique; helping children talk about difficult subjects; got those old guilty-feeling blues?; the team approach -when parents disagree; when nothing works; praise is powerful; phrases to eliminate from your parenting vocabulary; phrases to incorporate on a daily basis; conclusion.