After reading and appreciating THE ONE MINUTE MANAGER years ago, I assumed I'd enjoy THE ONE MINUTE MOTHER now that I have two kids of my own. WRONG! The author's needless use of a silly story, very slow and unappealing, does little to nothing to enhance the principles of One Minute Parenting.
The main three ideas are simple, they seem effective enough, and I'll definitely give them a try when my children are older (not really best suited for real youngsters). THEY ARE: 1. Set and review goals regularly as a family; 2. Catch your kids doing something right and offer prompt praise; 3. Conversely, when kids are at fault, offer a short and succinct reprimand taking care not to scold the person, just their behavior.
Dr. Johnson's characters, a mom to be, a One Minute Mother whom she is interviewing, and the One Minute Mother's children, sound like condescending stick figures in their dialogue and after a few pages you find yourself just wanting to turn to the final chapter to finish get it over with.
The chart at the end of the story easily sums up what could have been said in a one page essay for a magazine -- this was a needless waste of publishing. I'm selling my copy ASAP.