More Success Stories

Have you had success with Love and Logic techniques in your home, school, or classroom? We'd love to hear about it. Share your story with us!

 

7/22/10

I took my first Love and Logic class over 14 years ago, well before I had kids. I have been a facilitator for almost 6 years now. My 13-year-old daughter has been begging for a cell phone, and when her dad joined her side, I was beat. Oh how she loves that phone. It doesn't leave her side...well...at least that is what she thought. My daughter was invited to physics day at the local amusement park. They got to view some science activities, and then could spend the rest of the day riding the rides. She sent me a text saying how much fun she was having, and would text me when the busses were headed for home. But it was silent. Hours later, she walked in the door, very serious looking. Apparently, her beloved phone flew from her side, on a big roller coaster. I was furious. We hadn't even paid the bill on it yet!!! But my Love and Logic got the better of me. All I could say was "no way." She burst into tears and explained how they had talked to the ride operator, and filled out paperwork with lost and found. She showed me a card with phone numbers to call and her case number. She asked to go online to see how much a replacement phone was going to cost. She knew she was going to have to pay for it. I didn't have to say anything. She did the "guiding kids to solve their problems" all by herself. All I had to do was be empathetic and offer some hope. I offered to call lost and found the next morning, since she choked up every time she tried to talk about it. Well, our story has a happy ending. Her phone was actually recovered, and except for a huge scuff, and a crack in the screen it is in working order. That cracked screen is the best reminder of lessons in responsibility. I think I'll keep her...even though she is a teenager.

Marcee B.
Parent, Facilitator
West Point, UT

 

6/23/10

We've been using Love and Logic ever since our little angel was suddenly no longer "our little angel." She is now 4 1/2, and being well accustomed to having choices, we had this exchange just a week ago. She asked me, "Mom, can we go to our friends' house to play today?" I said, "No Ava, I would like to spend some time just with you today." With just a few moments in between, and without whining or having a tantrum, Ava responded, "Mommy, you have two choices; you can call their mommy and we can play at their house, or they can come to our house and play."

Karen G.
Parent
Wenatchee, WA

 

6/7/10

My grandson is a pre-teen who stays with us on some weekends. My husband and I had a difficult time getting him to go to bed when we wanted him to. The whining, moaning and groaning was really a hassle. I began using Love and Logic at first by saying "I noticed." Then I followed it up in a couple of weeks with giving him a choice of times for bed that I could live with. My husband is so impressed with the change. My grandson now goes to bed when I want him to without saying a word. It's like magic. Love and Logic had a great impact on our weekends together.

Lillian L.
Parent and Teacher
Milwaukee, WI

 

5/19/10

One evening when we got home, I had our groceries in the back of our van along with my daughter's back pack. I mentioned to her that she might want to get her back pack since I leave for work at 6:30 A.M. She responded with "I'll do it later" and I recommend doing it now since she might forget later and I may not remember by the morning. Well, guess who called me on the way to work this morning? My daughter left me a voice mail saying "I left my back pack in your car." When I returned her call, she said, "Where is that pink back pack we had?" I said, "Oh, honey you hated pink and since nobody was using it, I donated it during the back pack drive at school!" Then I told her she could use one of the bags in the laundry room and I said, "I have to go, good luck, I'm sure you'll figure something out!" And I told her teachers, if she has homework due or needs her planner she will have to wing it! At least now she is starting to be resourceful!

I want to thank you for these great helpful techniques. With four children, it gives me so many experiences and chances to practice them.

Dawn O.
Parent
Novi, MI

 

5/4/10
I am a facilitator of the Love and Logic Early Childhood Parenting Made Fun! curriculum. The 2nd day of class my two-year-old son was in the room with me prior to the start. There were about 15 parents in the room with us. As I was setting up coffee he started to turn the doorknob to go out of the room. I looked at him, smiled and said "uh oh." He proceeded to run and stand by me and giggle. The parents in the room where in shock. One of them said, "Oh my gosh, it works!"

Meredith M.
Parent, Facilitator
Fort Gratiot, MI

 

4/19/10

I bought the "Love and Logic Magic for Early Childhood" CD last summer. It changed my parenting life. I had no idea what I was doing with my son, no idea of how to be a good mother or teach him what he needs to know to become a healthy, productive person. This CD gave me SO many helpful tools and my son is healthier and happier for it! I am so thankful I found this! Thank you!

Nicole P.
Parent
Clovis, CA

 

4/6/10

I have attended many Love and Logic seminars. I have tried hard to convince my staff at school how valuable these techniques are. Yesterday, a fellow teacher told this story, and started with, "Jenny, you're going to love this."

Apparently a child in her room had written a sexually explicit story. The teacher got a hold of the story. The boy admitted that he had written it and owned his problem. The teacher told him she did not know what she was going to do, but, not to worry about it. That evening, the young man went home and admitted everything to his mother. She asked him where he got all "his material." He said it was from the video games he was playing. She told him after their discussion that he really owed his teacher his apology. His reply was, "Yes, but mom, I owe you an apology, too."

Needless to say, I cried when the teacher told me this story. Not only was I proud of the teacher for helping the child "own" his problem and think things through. But, I was so proud of the young man and the amazing moment that their family shared.

Plant the seeds. You never know when they will sprout!

Jenny B.
Parent, Teacher
Redwood Falls, MN


3/29/10
We have had the great privilege to facilitate several Love and Logic classes: Early Childhood Parenting Made Fun!®, Becoming a Love and Logic Parent®, and are now mid session with our first 9 Essential Skills for the Love and Logic Classroom®. This has been such a wonderful and enriching experience for us as professional educators. Parents, teachers and community members have overwhelmingly expressed how their homes and classrooms have changed after learning Love and Logic techniques. We have been thanked tremendously for presenting the material. THANK YOU Love and Logic for such excellent, easy to use, and accessible material! The kids of our area thank you as well.

Cindy and Bill V.
Marinette, WI
Parents, Counselors, Facilitators of Love and Logic curricula


3/22/10

It works!! I love the saying, "Love you to much to argue." My step-son LOVES to state his point or argue or whine. When he gets that way it really makes me angry and upset and I hate it when he does that. I've learned to say, "Love you to much to argue" and it diffuses the situation. It puts a smile on my face and what can he say? Nothing! Thanks for sharing that tip and idea. It's great.

Carol E.
Marinette, WI
Parent, Teacher


3/15/10

We are a homeschooling family. One of my children is a reluctant learner and a challenge to teach. He simply refuses to work on subjects he doesn't like. I tried spanking, grounding, removing favorite activities, goals, bribes, and anything else I could think of. This was getting worse, and he would hide under his bed and refuse to come out sometimes. I had just taken the Love and Logic course and I had been having great success with it so far, so I decided to use Love and Logic on this problem. I called another homeschooling mom who occasionally tutors children, set it up with her and asked her rate. I told her what I was doing and she agreed to help. I then sat down with my son to do his work. He again refused and hid under the table. I said "No problem, I can see you don't like to work with me. That is not a problem for me, but the law says you have to learn, and I follow the law, so I have asked Mrs. B. to come and work with you. It is her job, and she likes to do it. She will be here in about 10 minutes. She costs $20/hour, but don't worry, she will stay until all of your work is finished. While you are waiting for her, you might want to figure out how you are going to pay her." It has been over a year since then, and I haven't had to fight him once!

Sheree A.
Didsbury, Alberta, Canada
Parent


3/8/10

L & L works!! A few minutes ago, our daughter blew in the back door of our house in a breathless, tearing hurry. Here's what she said, "Hi Mom, I forgot my science notebook and I'm on my lunch break so I'm going to grab a sandwich and go." Then, she shoved her notebook in her backpack, tossed together a sandwich, ran out the door, jumped on her bike and headed back to school, which is a 2 mile trip.

Why is this so unusual? SHE DIDN'T CALL ME TO BRING HER NOTEBOOK TO SCHOOL!!! When she realized she forgot her notebook she made an extra 4 mile round trip on her bike, during her one break in the school day, to take care of her problem herself.

The chickens have finally come home to roost; the kid is taking care of her own problems. Whew. ;-)

Donna D.

Colorado Springs, CO

Parent


3/1/10
After facilitating the 9 Essential Skills for the Love and Logic Classroom® for approximately 250 teachers in the Oklahoma panhandle; I hear weekly, if not daily, comments from all grade levels about how effective the skills are. One first grade teacher just commented about how empowered she now feels using her new skills; and she's a fantastic veteran teacher!

Kenny M.
Guymon, OK
School Administrator


2/22/10

I knew Love and Logic was making a difference for the better in my family when I was in the midst of reading the four Twilight novels. One afternoon, when my children had failed to nap after lunch and stories, and were rambunctious in their room, I put myself in a time-out in my room, reading one of the novels. They soon realized I wasn't there to see them be naughty and came to look for me. They knocked on my door and asked me to come out and play. My response was "After rest time." They knocked again and said, "Can we come in?" My response was again "After rest-time." They pounded, but sweetly said, "We want to come in and be with you." My response (in an almost whisper), "And what did I say?" Then I heard the six-year-old tell his four-year-old brother, "Come on, it's hopeless."

Tacey M.

Monroe, MI

Parent, Teacher


2/16/10

I have been using Love and Logic with my four children ages 12, 10, 8 and 6. The first week my 6-year-old was being quite sassy in public. I asked her if she thought the way she was speaking was a wise choice. She said nothing and when I asked her to come and sit down she said, "No" and added "you can't make me." I stated, "Uh oh, I guess I'll have to do something about that." When we got home she asked if she could play and I said, "Sure, after you have some bedroom time for the way you behaved." That is when the fit started. I politely asked her to have a better fit in her room. The screaming and yelling continued for over 40 minutes. It continued right through dinner. Unfortunately by the time she was finished - dinner was cleaned up and put away. She even asked me to spank her and get it over with. I told her, "Honey, I am not going to spank you but I will make sure you have a yummy breakfast tomorrow right after you complete your bedroom time." The next morning my daughter came downstairs and demanded her breakfast. I responded with "Uh oh." She quickly said, "Not this again. I want to have a good day." I asked her how we could do that and she said, "I am going to my room for my bedroom time I will be back when I am sweet." I said, "If you think that will be the best way." She then stated, "I was rude to you, mom. I didn't listen and I yelled at you. I will go to my room for my bedroom time and be back to have a good day!" WOW! I was shocked. But what was even better was that my 12 year old had been listening to the tapes and said, "I don't believe it worked exactly like they said." We are all believers and thank you so much to no longer have to sweat out the conflicts.

Monique D.

Golden, CO

Parent


2/8/10

I am so excited! I just finished a conference with a family with two young sons ages 6 and 3. I was modeling ways to encourage the kindergarten child to become a motivated and excited to learn. I was also giving some Love and Logic examples. (really commercials)

When it was time for the family to leave, the dad told the 3 year old to put on his coat, he said NO! I gently said Love and Logic would say, "Would you rather put on your coat in Mrs. P.'s classroom or in the hallway?" The dad repeated my words and the little guy said "in here". The dad said, "What was the name of that book again." I loved it! Thank you, Dr. Fay!

Helen P.

Evansville, IN

Teacher


2/1/10

I was struggling to get my 2 year old daughter to nap. I almost gave up on naps, but soon I came up with a Love and Logic approach that has worked now for almost a month.

When I want to start the nap process, I get out my phone which has a timer. I have my daughter pick the sound that will ring when the timer goes off. Before I start the timer I review with my daughter how she gets ready for a nap. I tell her that mommy will leave her room when the timer goes off. Before the timer goes off, she needs to get ready for nap. I ask her what she needs to do to get ready. She says brush teeth, go potty and she also likes to put on jammies. Then we read books.

I then hit the start button on the timer for 20 minutes. Off she goes running. She does dawdle at times, but I remind her that the more time she spends getting ready for nap, the less time there will be to read books.

By the time she is ready, we usually have about 13 minutes left to read books she has picked out. Then the timer goes off and I tuck her in and give her a kiss. I ask if she wants the lights on or off and whether she wants the door open or closed. She usually says lights on, door open. I ask her what happens if she gets out of bed. She says, "Door goes closed." Then I say good night and off to sleep she goes!

If she does get out of bed, the door will be closed. However she knows then that she is able to play in her room as long as she does it quietly. Interestingly enough, after an hour of solo play, I go up to her room to find her fast asleep, tucked in her bed.

Nicole W.

Onalaska, WI
Parent

 

1/25/10
It is NEVER too early to start using Love and Logic. I've been using/teaching Love and Logic for nearly 7 years. I have three children: ages 5, 4 and 2, who where fighting at the table. I used the energy drain technique and went into the living room to lie down. Soon I heard the 5 year old say to the others, "Great you guys. Now we need to do something to put Mom's energy back." Discussion ensued at the table, with hidden smirks from me on the couch. The 5 year old said, "Just a second I have to go to the bathroom" and left the table. The 4 and 2 year old started fighting. I said "Oh how saaaaaad." The 5 year old yelled from the bathroom, "You two, get in here now!" The 4 year old replied, "But the 2 year old is strapped into her chair!" The 5 year old said "Then drag the whole chair in here!"

I stopped them from dragging the 2 year old into the bathroom with her chair, however they did clear the table, complete with dishes in the dishwasher and I had TONS of energy put back so I could spend the rest of the time playing with my lovely children!

Angie E.
Rochester, MN
Parent, Teacher, Counselor


1/18/10

This e-mail is long overdue, but that is how busy we've become in our daily lives to a point that using Love and Logic takes time, commitment, and consistency. I attended the training last year and the workshop was outstanding. Loved the truth from Jim, Charles, and Foster. I had been using Love and Logic off and on with my seven year old daughter before the training. The night I got home I said to her, "It's time to brush your teeth then jump in bed sweetie." She said, "No, I'm not going to do it." I thought, let's use this moment as a Love and Logic facilitator. I said, "Aw honey, what would you like to do out of these two choices? Would you like to brush your teeth now, or brush them tomorrow?" I said excitedly. Her eyes got real big and with a big smile and she said "Dad, I'll do them tomorrow." I thought I have set her up for the Love and Logic lingo. But, before I could say what I wanted, she set herself up with, "When does tomorrow start?" I was in heaven. I said, "I am so glad you asked, because tomorrow starts at 12:00 midnight and I will come into your room and wake you up to brush your teeth in the middle of the night because that's when it will be tomorrow." She said, "I'll do them now." She went in brushed her teeth, kissed her mom and myself and went to sleep. Lovin' it!!! Had to share that and thank you for the great work that you are doing in our country at a time as such as this. God Bless you and all your families.

Louie G.
Redding, CA
Independent Facilitator of Early Childhood Parenting Made Fun!®


1/11/10

I have a nine year old son who was having a terrible day. Nothing was right for him. I asked him and his sister to pick up the playroom by 2:00, before the cleaning service arrived. He and his sister trudged up there around 1:30 and proceeded to argue with each other and they were both hollering at me, "She's not helping! He's not helping! This isn't fair! He's throwing stuff at me!" I kept my cool and said, "No problem. You guys need to chill out in your rooms." They both stomped to their rooms and quiet once again fell upon the household. I said, "Hey guys, I'll take care of the playroom. Try not to worry about it."

The kids left the house and I dropped them off at their respective play dates. I went back home and quickly typed up an invoice for each kid. They were billed for $3 each to help pay the cleaning service for the extra time it took to pick up all the junk in the playroom. I placed the invoice on their beds.

The kids came back home and my son was in a rotten mood. He got sent to his room to chill out. I promptly heard ripping paper. Knowing full well he was ripping up the invoice, I ducked into the laundry room and called his dad to share a laugh. My son calmed down and all was quiet so I went up to his room about ten minutes later. He was furious! "Mom, parents can't give kids bills! They could take advantage of them! I think it's against the law." I backed out of room and said, "Oh honey, I love you too much to argue. Why don't you stay up here until you're sweet?"

My son was in his room for about ten more minutes and everything was quiet. He said, "Mom, can you come up here so we can talk about this privately?" I went upstairs and found a note at the top that said, "Who the hell gives their kid a bill?" I had to choose my battle here and decided to ignore the curse word and walked into his room. I said, "Thanks for the note. I think writing is a wonderful way to express yourself." He was clearly upset about the invoice. He asked me if he could Google the situation. He found "Ask a lawyer" but it cost $28. That made him mad too. He couldn't find anything about parents charging kids and he went ballistic again. I said, "I love you too much to argue, come out when you're sweet."

He finally got a hold of himself and we had a pleasant dinner with the family. The kids went upstairs to get ready for bed and lo and behold a crumpled piece of paper was tossed down onto my head. It read, "I love you too much to pay you $3." His dad and I had a good laugh together and I didn't want to ruin the moment by asking for the $3 again. The next morning I said to my son, "You know how we're going to Disneyworld? Dad and I were going to give you some spending money but we'll just take $3 out of that." He was upstairs and back in a flash and presented me with the $3.

His sister didn't have any money but she paid with collateral, a favorite address book she had purchased for herself at the Book Fair. I kept it in a prominent spot and a few days later she showed up with a handful quarters and bought it back.

This was so HILARIOUS that I had to share it. I actually had a good time 'training' them!!!!

Wendy P.
Charlotte, NC
Parent


1/6/10

I am retired teacher from Oklahoma who heard Jim Fay a number of years ago at a teacher in-service. I enjoyed his presentation more than any I had heard but all I could remember later was his line, "Nice try." A few years later a teaching assistant told my mother how impressed she was with my drill sergeant techniques with kids. I was horrified so when I got a postcard in my school mailbox about the Love and Logic seminar in Wichita, Kansas, I immediately asked my principal for financial assistance. She was more than happy to oblige and asked me to chose another teacher to go with me. I loved every minute of that week from Jim Fay to Betsy Geddes and everyone in between.

I returned to school with a huge folder of notes and the book, "Teaching with Love and Logic." Later I purchased many tapes to play in the car on my way to and from school. I slowly worked through the many suggestions, applying one more idea until I was comfortable with it. It was amazing! Students no longer feared me, and I became the envy of many other teachers. I shared my new found skills with everyone who would listen, but sadly few were willing to make the efforts to change how they dealt with kids. For me, it was a life saver! It made teaching so much more enjoyable. I had my responsibilities and my students had theirs. They got to the point where they were asking questions rather than making demands of each other. Sixth grade is not the easiest grade to teach, but I had a great experience thanks to Love and Logic.

I retired in 2003 and was lucky to be asked to play 'Nana' to the child of friends. What a joy it was to watch him grow into a Love and Logic baby! He is now 6 years. old and knows this Nana has rules but that he gets lots of choices. He now will tell ME to choose when he really doesn't have a preference. He feels he has lots of control in his life with me and rarely needs to push the limits.

I have also purchased a Love and Logic Early Childhood package for a couple having their first child...I believe in Love and Logic that much. My only regret is that I didn't know about Love and Logic when raising my own two daughters or through the first half of my teaching career. However my daughters will tell you I use it with them even now...they are 40 and 43! But they are also Love and Logic devotees! Thanks Jim, Foster, and Charles. You made teaching, parenting and grandparenting so much fun!

Nora C.
Hamilton, Ontario
Teacher, Parent, Grandparent