Ross W. Greene is the author of three books and was on the faculty at Harvard Medical School for more than 20 years. He is the founding director of the nonprofit organization Lives in the Balance through which he disseminates the model of care described in his books, now known as Collaborative & Proactive Solutions.
In this no-nonsense book, Greene sets out to "raise children in a way that enhances relationships, improves communication, and helps kids learn how to resolve disagreements without conflict." To accomplish these three noble goals requires a reliance upon collaboration rather than control. Every mother and father, in his or her heart, wants to travel between the Dictatorial Kingdom and the Pushover Provinces, but it takes a lot of time, energy, and patience not to just try to immerse their children into their own values, behaviors, goals, and dreams.
The ideal of working collaboratively in partnerships with children demands that we not only spend quality time with them but that we reflectively listen to them, express empathy, and be open to their questions and quests for solutions. Practicing the art of collaboration can lead all family members to mutually beneficial outcomes.
