Dr. Ray Guarendi
Dr. Ray Guarendi
Winning the Discipline Debates covers a series of the most common (and most frustrating) discipline scenarios between parents and kids. Written in a script format, dialogue between the characters is interspersed with Dr. Ray's comments and observations, and each scene ends with a summary and discipline ideas from Dr. Ray. As a father of ten (with his children's ages ranging from twelve through twenty-four), clinical psychologist, public speaker, and national radio host, families have literally been Dr. Ray's life. Learn, laugh, and let Dr. Ray coach you to stand strong and become a more confident parent. Some of the debates covered in the book child who is wide awake and a mom who just wants to get some sleep A grandmother who interferes with a dad's discipline—and a child who suffers because of it Parents who argue in front of their kids—a lose/lose situation A mom who struggles to enforce the consequences she's decided upon Two siblings who are fighting and a mom who tries to sort things outFrom preschool to the late teen years, Dr. Ray coaches parents on how to make discipline less wordy, less frequent, less frustrating—and more definite. With Dr. Ray as your coach, everyone wins!
Do you ever feel like raising kids in the faith is a losing battle? Or maybe your spouse wishes you weren’t quite so religious. Concerns surrounding Christianity and faith can become touchy topics for today’s families.
With equal doses of sound spiritual wisdom and good psychological perspective, Dr. Ray addresses the most common issues, such as:
• Kids asking, “Why do we have to go to church when Dad doesn’t?”
• A spouse saying, “You’re no fun anymore since you found God.”
• Frustrated parents wondering, “How can we get our toddler to behave during Mass?”
Let Dr. Ray show you the guilt-free way to live your faith and share it peacefully with those you love.
In Advice Worth Ignoring, Dr. Ray identifies fifty of the most common child-related truisms and parenting myths that can often mislead and undercut parents, and explains how the virtues of prudence, temperance and fortitude can help any parent discern the best course of action for his or her own family. Parents are encouraged to ask themselves: Does this have merit for our family, with our morals? Does it make sense? Does it align with wisdom confirmed through generations?
Covering a range of ages and stages, from the early years (“It’s a stage; it will pass”) to the teenage years (“Don’t make your child lie”), this book gives dedicated parents the tools they need to spot the hidden assumptions colored by pop psychology, and make parenting choices that are consistent with raising up good Catholic kids.
Parents who read Advice Worth Ignoring will feel empowered to judge the advice that’s right for their own family, regardless of who doles it out. Contains a special section specifically for adoptive parents.
Do you know anyone who is looking for straightforward information about adoption for themselves or others? Are you interested in learning more about adoption and finding answers to common concerns?
In his latest book, Adoption: Should You, Could You, and Then What?, Dr. Ray Guarendi — renowned clinical psychologist and father of ten adopted children — provides authentic answers to challenging, real-life questions. With humor and wisdom, Dr. Ray draws from professional and personal experience, as well as scientific research, to allay frequent misconceptions. Issues he addresses include:
frustrations about the adoption process, including why couples have to wait so long
healthy motives and reasons to adopt
how to make adopted children feel special
adopting children of various ages and if it will impact “birth order”
relationships (if any) between adopted children and their birth parents
rearing children with “special needs”
adopting children of other races
tips for responding to difficult reactions
talking to children about their adoption stories
whether adoptive children should be treated differently
Dr. Ray’s counsel in Adoption is relatable to all families. In an increasingly socially disconnected world, Dr. Ray reminds us that, through commitment and bonding, parents enable children to thrive at “home and beyond.” In discussing how to choose, live, and love adoption, Dr. Ray emphasizes that “a loving, strong parent can do much to put a child on the path to recovery” and counsels, “Never let the opinions of others overrule your decision to adopt.”
Paperback. 176 pages.
Raising ten kids revealed to Dr. Ray Guarendi and his wife, Randi, a lifetime of insightful lessons. Dr. Ray shares his wisdom with clarity and abundant humor, because as any mother or father knows, parenting is too important to be taken too seriously.
With his rich, tenfold experience as a father, Dr. Ray gives guidance that will help you gain confidence toward molding and instructing your own children. Through his many and absorbing anecdotes, you’ll learn how to act with calm authority whether with a disrespectful teen or a tantrum throwing toddler.
Through parenting, Dr. Ray learned to avoid labels and to respect each child’s temperament. He reinforces how with each child you can become a better parent.
You will learn, as did he, to be better able to stand strong in God’s grace and trust in His plan if your children have special needs. You’ll be moved by stories of children who were affected by serious health issues, substance abuse, and unstable foster-care placement. You’ll also learn:
Why stronger parents, who act more and lecture less, have smoother family lives
How “the look” is a form of classical conditioning that helps convey authority
The power of affection to show your children your love
To present a united front as parents and not be manipulated by your children
How perseverance and consistency in setting and enforcing expectations pays off
To resolve (and avoid) conflicts, teach respect and manners, and much more
Most strikingly, you will see God’s providence at work in forming your own family. You will grow in the resolve and wisdom to guide your children when young and give them wings to fly when older.
How do I handle difficult family members?
What do I do if I can't control my emotions?
When do I correct others, and when do I hold my tongue?
Too often we are late in realizing that we mishandled a situation, causing both resentment and frustration. But what if you could approach every situation with the mind of Christ?
Distilled from his decades of experience as a clinical psychologist and a practicing Catholic, Dr. Ray Guarendi, popular radio and TV host, offers here dozens of bite-sized reflections that combine sound spiritual advice with the best of modern psychology.
Dr. Ray will help you address countless daily problems and create a plan of action for your most common troubles. With his trademark frankness and humor, Dr. Ray tackles all the topics that too often bring confusion and heartache, including:
What to do when you're easily offended
Common excuses parents make for bad behavior in their children — and themselves
The difference between speaking your mind and losing your emotions.
The fine line between being a confident evangelist and being a jerk?
What you should do when emotions overwhelm you?
How to hold your children to high standards without causing resentment
The difference between making an excuse and justifying an action
How to tell people you're angry without being nasty about it.
What true humility is — and isn't.
Thinking Like Jesus is more than a self-help book. It will place you firmly into the mindset of a disciple of Christ so you can focus your attention on God and, ultimately, what it will take to spend eternity with Him in heaven.
Dr. Ray Guarendi directs us to the root of all healthy counseling: the words of the Redeemer.
Rightly regarded as America’s leading Catholic psychologist and family counselor, EWTN’s Dr. Ray Guarendi details here the fundamentals of Christian psychology in his incomparable down-to-earth style.
In some teachings, Jesus is two millennia ahead of what psychology is only now coming to understand. In others, He directly contradicts what today’s psychology preaches. In these pages, Dr. Ray explores the teachings of both modern psychology and Jesus Christ to identify the therapy tools worth employing — and those we should avoid. Most notably, he helps us understand that every tool and counseling guideline worth pursuing can find its roots directly in the words of Christ.
Jesus knows our minds far more intimately than we do, and He knows the rewards we receive for following the paths He advocates. Indeed, in tackling any interior or exterior difficulty, there is certain knowledge that with Christ’s guidance comes reassurance and peace of mind, if only we know the path.
Dr. Guarendi’s experience as a father of ten and his mastery of the New Testament enable him to provide recommendations for dealing with numerous daily issues, including:
How to overcome jealousy and other passions
What it means — and doesn’t mean — to turn the other cheek
How to turn negativity into a harnessed virtue — without changing your nature
How to transform your natural qualities into supernatural qualities
The benefits of having problem children
How to improve your self-awareness
What the old adage “know thyself” really means
How Jesus turns self-esteem mantras on their heads
With wit and wisdom, Dr. Ray Guarendi gives parents the tools they need not only to navigate the teen years but also to enjoy them. Teens are “full of life, enthusiasm, energy, and laughter,” Dr. Ray asserts, in defiance of a culture that conditions us to expect a far gloomier reality. Too often, the world tells parents to be content with mediocrity instead of the prospect of raising respectful and responsible children with strong character.
In a lively question-and-answer format, Dr. Ray unpacks issues ranging from sibling relationships and peer pressure to curfews and chores to overcoming backtalk and teaching your kids to avoid drugs.
Marriage expert Dr. Ray Guarendi has learned, through counseling many couples, that the secrets to building a better relationship with your spouse don’t include learning exotic new communication techniques or rearranging your lifestyle. In fact, a few of his ten “small steps” are so simple that you likely learned them in grade school.
In his lighthearted style, Dr. Ray explains that the secret of a good marriage is applying a handful of commonsense, time-tested ideas practiced by others who have done it well. Each chapter presents a baby step you can take, encouragement to overcome resistance to taking that step, and a fictional couple in dialogue with an anonymous therapist (guess who!).
Most inspiring, this book reminds you that a happier, more rewarding marriage is achievable. You will learn how to make simple changes that will leave “daily discontent” behind and create a positive chain reaction in both your marriage and your family. Dr. Ray even shows how couples who are on the brink of separation can restore healing and intimacy in their marriage.
With the doctor’s advice, you will overcome any reluctance you might feel to taking these practical steps and learn:
The importance of developing the habit of saying “I’m sorry” (with apologies to Erich Segal!)
Why silence can truly be golden (and how to really listen!)
How to be polite when you don’t feel like it and how to ask constructive questions
Tips on how husbands can support their wives in parenting (it’s easier than you think!)
How “touch says much,” and why affection sometimes chills in a marriage
How living by the “Just don’t say it” philosophy is a game changer
You will also find out why accepting your spouse’s concerns isn’t necessarily the same as agreeing with his or her feelings or viewpoint. Moreover, you will see how simple manners can transform your relationship, and you will gain pointers on how to give meaningful praise to your spouse.
With Dr. Ray’s experience and insights, you will find that in seeking to understand your spouse, you, in turn, will be better understood. The most minor of improvements often reap major rewards.
This is the book you need to master your anger so your anger won’t master you. Popular TV host, clinical psychologist, and best-selling author Dr. Ray Guarendi incisively cuts to the heart of the matter to help you determine whether your anger response is justified ― and what to do when it isn’t.
Dr. Guarendi unpacks for you the many types of anger and the types of people who suffer most from anger. For some, anger is a trait; for others, it is a state. Some are “wired fiery,” with an anger that is always simmering or on a low boil, while the anger of others often comes and goes quickly.
You’ll learn why feelings aren’t neutral, and whether anger is a product of your nature or nurture. You’ll also learn the difference between righteous and unrighteous anger ― and why those closest to us can anger us the most.
In his straightforward, engaging, and humorous style, Dr. Guarendi also unveils healthy strategies for coping with those who make us angry and how we can make choices to regulate our emotions. From this compelling, life-changing book, you will also learn:
The danger of harboring negative feelings
The surprising benefits of anger, as well as its liabilities
Pros and cons of venting anger and of holding it inside
The advantages of exercising self-control in the heat of an argument
Ways to take ownership of your thoughts, words, and actions
Best of all, this book will help you grow in virtue as you develop Christlike patience, charity, self-control, forgiveness, and humility in your relationships with others. By responding prayerfully and choosing to love deliberately, you will attain greater happiness, clarity of mind, and peace of heart.
Strained or broken relationships are an unfortunate fact of life for most of us. Friends fall away, siblings drift apart, children sever ties with their parents, and despite our best efforts, these painful fissures are difficult to mend.
Bestselling author and clinical psychologist Dr. Ray Guarendi shares practical wisdom and usable strategies to aid you in navigating your way through such situations. With strong doses of humor and hope, he will help you form healthy habits in the ways you talk, think, act, and react to strengthen your relationships and live a more virtuous life.
Through Dr. Ray’s down-to-earth style, professional experience, and personal stories, you will learn his tried-and-true rules for life and profit from them. You will discover the key to neutralizing insults and offenses and changing any relationship for the better. In these engaging pages, you’ll also learn:
Three conversation killers to avoid
The truth about your motives and those of others
The secret to becoming a real listener
Tips on offering (and receiving) different types of criticism
Ways to manage your expectations
When (and how) to speak up
Dr. Ray teaches you techniques for avoiding “psychological claptrap,” for responding better to hurtful comments, and for improving your communication skills. He shows you how to become more easygoing, more forgiving, less driven by reactive emotions—in short, a better practitioner of the Golden Rule—and sets you on the path toward peace of mind, heart, and soul.