“Psychotherapist Grover pulls no punches in this parenting manual (WHEN KIDS CALL THE SHOTS)…[his] empowering, motivating approach is highly compassionate to suffering, burnt-out parents without letting them off the hook for becoming self-aware adults who can make consciously better choices for themselves and their children.”
Publishers Weekly, Editor’s Pick, Best New Nonfiction
“Grover does a fine job of addressing an important dynamic in today’s families…he offers tools to regain a balance of power so that the parent takes back the upper hand needed for effective parenting while still giving their child appropriate autonomy and status in the family.”
PsyCentral
“This isn’t one of these parenting books with a simple, easy-to-apply, one-size-fits-all solution…The main point: The route to a happier, bullying-free home runs through your own psyche.”
MomZette
“LOVED LOVED LOVED it! Grover hit his groove in a savvy compilation of how NOT to let your kids (or neighbors, or Church Group, or pet or Significant Other) get away with tantrums and taunts that make you cringe into giving them their way….Even if you are not having a problem with your children walking all over you, I absolutely loved this book as it gives all parents, young and old, tips and techniques to solve the problem, not just shove it under the rug. Grover is magnificent! A MUST HAVE BOOK for parents, teachers, and this blogger!”
The Review Boards
“A fabulous, stupendous, and all around terrific how-to book that helps parents control situations when a child is bullying them…It’s written as if you are sitting at the kitchen table and having a chat with Grover…I highly recommend this book. It is one of the best parenting self-help books that I’ve read.”
Grandma Ideas
“Grover’s narrative and the accompanying examples are very empowering and motivating. Ultimately, his approach is one of compassion…[he] offers hope to stressed out parents…Reading WHEN KIDS CALL THE SHOTS can make a huge difference for parents.”
The Cyberlibrarian
“I look forward to spending time with my entire family in a calm, friendly place. WHEN KIDS CALL THE SHOTS has truly given us a map for creating an atmosphere where this is possible!’
Be Your Best Mom
“Easy to navigate, thoughtfully planned and well explained…The art of parenting will be enhanced with this interesting, insightful, and helpful read.”
Bookloons
“When Kids Call The Shots is an excellent guidebook that can help parents take control for the sake of their kids, others outside of the family and for themselves. Life can be a whole lot more enjoyable when family dynamics are in balance.”
Momma Likes This
“With warmth and sophistication, WHEN KIDS CALL THE SHOTS offers masterful lessons in the delicate art of parenting. This book will help countless parents to overcome limits, master fears and develop a healing compassion.”
Marianne Pearl, author of A MIGHTY HEART (Scribner, 2004; Paramount Pictures, 2007) and IN SEARCH OF HOPE (powerHouse, 2007)
“WHEN KIDS CALL THE SHOTS is a breath of fresh air in a world of endless “how to” parenting books, chocked full of practical guidance and keen insights about child development. It also takes the risk of asking parents to look at themselves to understand how they may be contributing to the problems in their relationship with their child. Sean Grover understands that in our attempt to be the best parents we can be and provide for our children’s every need, we may be surrendering our power and authority as parents. And that once this shift in the power dynamic occurs we, as parents, head down a slippery slope where our wish for an idyllic family life becomes our worst nightmare.”
Jerry Finkelstein, PhD, Director, The New School Counseling Center
“WHEN KIDS CALL THE SHOTS book is a much needed resource for parents of children all ages, from toddlers to high schoolers. This book offers important, step by step instructions on how to create a harmonious and healthy environment at home with our children. Akin to guidance found in books on helping children learn to go to sleep and stay in bed through the night, this book offers invaluable information about how our behavior shapes that of our children, and how we can change our relationships with them for the better. I look forward to having this resource to share with parents in our practice.”
Amy Margolis, Ph.D., Columbia University Medical Center, and Director of Neuropsychology, Brooklyn Learning Center
“WHEN KIDS CALL THE SHOTS advises parents in a clear, helpful and pragmatic way. For parents who are desperate to get their relationships with their sons and daughters on track — read this book. If it is really bad read it twice!”
Bob Townley, Founder and Executive Director, Manhattan Youth
“Even though I have run a parenting center for 30 years, I rarely come across a parenting book that I can wholehearted recommend. Sean Grover’s WHEN KIDS CALL THE SHOTS is one of those rare few. In clear and down to earth language Sean Grover provides developmental information and sage advice that parents will be able to use immediately. He outlines the fundamental needs of all children and encourages parents to meet those needs before running off to a professional. Through real-life anecdotes, parents discover how they can address and help change their children’s difficult behavior. This book makes it clear that parenting is hard work; work that requires introspection and an honest look at one’s own unresolved issues and immaturities. If parents are willing to do the work, this book gives a roadmap for how to establish and maintain good relationships with our children.”
Jean Kunhardt, MA, LMHC, Director, Soho Parenting
“Engaging, smart, funny and to the point, Sean Grover’s WHEN KIDS CALL THE SHOTS provides an enlightened, no-nonsense approach to navigating the blind curves of parenting. Drawing on his personal and professional knowledge, Sean gives great insight into what may have caused your parenting balance to have tipped, how to manage the seemingly unmanageable and build strong, healthy bonds with your self-confident off-spring. Who could ask for anything more?”
Gina Barnett, Author of Play the Part: Mastering Body Signals to Connect and Communicate for Business Success (McGraw-Hill, 2015)
“Nowhere in life do well-intended people pay more for mistakes than in raising their children. Sean Grover has written the ultimate book to parents who need guidance. WHEN KIDS CALL THE SHOTS is an incisive book, forceful, simply written and useful to any parent.”
George Weinberg, PhD, The Heart of Psychotherapy (St. Martin’s Griffin, 1996) and others.
“Insightful, intelligent, warm and above all easy to understand WHEN KIDS CALL THE SHOTS makes parents feel that we’re not crazy to be frustrated and that we can really help our kids (and ourselves) get through challenging times. This book is so great, it’s like having Sean in my linen closet for daily affirmations! ”
Kate Harrison, VP Exec Bd PTA, Lower Manhattan Community School
“With a creative blend of psychological principles, kid smarts, common sense, and compassion for parents, WHEN KIDS CALL THE SHOTS shows how to make the most of the opportunity and awesome responsibility of guiding children and youth through the shoals of development into a wholesome and satisfying maturity. ”
Robert Bolton, author of People Skills (Touchstone, 1996), People Styles at Work and Beyond (AMACOM, 2009) and others.
“As a father of a two willful and rambunctious toddlers, WHEN KIDS CALL THE SHOTS frightened the heck out of me with the prospect of future mutiny from my adorable progeny, then armed me with the strategies to successfully diffuse the rebellion, resolve its underlying causes and restore peace to our family. I’ll keep it handy as a go-to manual when turbulent waters threaten smooth sailing.”
Bill Santiago, comedian, author of Pardon My Spanglish (Quirk Books, 2008)
“WHEN KIDS CALL THE SHOTS is a well conceptualized, down-to-earth guide; a great source of support, encouragement and practical ideas that will inspire parents and caregivers. I look forward to having a copy on my bookshelf and recommending it to parents.”
Andrew Malekoff, author of Group Work with Adolescents (Guilford, 2014), Editor of the journal Social Work with Groups.
“When it comes to helping parents, there isn’t anyone better to speak on this subject than Sean. He loves what he does and it shows. WHEN KIDS CALL THE SHOTS is amazing, the perfect companion for any parent.”
Penny Ekstein-Lieberman, President/CEO Toot Sweet Toys, Inc.
“In WHEN KIDS CALL THE SHOTS Sean Grover offers child-rearing insights with an ease and generosity; a very important and immensely valuable book for parents.”
Ellen Kealy, Chair Emeritus, Creative Alternatives of New York, Mt. Sinai Hospital.
“WHEN KIDS CALL THE SHOTS provides all the keys any parent needs to overcome seemingly intractable problems and open the way for healthy and happy family relationships.”
Jessica Jiji, author of Diamonds Take Forever (Harpercollins, 2005) and Sweet Dates in Basra (Harpercollins, 2010)