Parent Magic

I first picked up this parenting guide when my oldest was twelve—it was still titled *Surviving Your Adolescents* back then. The strategies helped me manage my own reactions and give him the space to handle his consequences, which led to a calm home with zero screaming matches. He often tells friends that my mom found that book, and it completely changed how he navigated his teen years. Seeing him now as a devoted dad makes me incredibly proud. My second son, now twenty, asked for the same approach at thirteen and handled his few consequences gracefully; he’s actually preparing for a career in ministry. My youngest is fourteen now—a spirited, neurodivergent, and intense kid who brings as much love as he does anger. We’re about to start the fourth edition together, and I know it will bring clarity to our next phase. I’ve recommended this book to nearly fifty parents; it really is life-changing.

Parent Magic is hands down the top parenting program I’ve encountered. I’ve successfully applied it with my own children, a foster child with ADHD, and even integrate it into my work as a therapist to support other families. It’s a game-changer for preserving your voice and your peace of mind. I can’t recommend it enough.

I visited Parent Magic in West Chicago for the first time and know I’ll be coming back. The team was genuinely helpful and professional, which made all the difference. I really appreciate how they ensured my order went through smoothly despite the challenges we’ve all faced lately!

Parent Magic has a decent book, but it just isn't the right fit for my kids. I bought it for my 9, 11, and 12-year-olds, specifically because my 11-year-old has ADHD and DD, and unfortunately, it didn't provide the help we were hoping for.

This concise resource serves as a perfect quick-reference guide to the key concepts from the 123 Magic book. I keep it close by for immediate support whenever I need it.

I’ve put Parent Magic’s approach to work with my own two children, and now I’m sharing it with my teenage kids, who are starting their own families. It’s a great guide for helping them become more thoughtful and effective parents.

Parent Magic delivered exactly what they promised with this title. The book breaks down the 1-2-3 Magic system into clear chapters filled with practical strategies that are directly applicable in the classroom. As an educator in West Chicago, I found the methods presented to be incredibly useful for managing student behavior. It is a solid, high-quality resource that lives up to its 100% rating.

Parent Magic in West Chicago has been a reliable partner for our pregnancy resource center, providing the educational materials we need for over five years. We frequently use titles from the 1-2-3 Magic series, which remain our most popular classes. While the core content is excellent and perfectly suited for families, schools, and resource centers, the presentation could use a refresh; specifically, a modern update to the costumes and recording style would make these DVDs even more engaging. Despite the dated look, the educational value is undeniable, and I still highly recommend this series for anyone looking for effective parenting tools.

Parent Magic really delivered with this DVD. It provided a straightforward path to understanding and shifting the unhelpful dynamics in our home. We still have work to do, but the progress is undeniable. The breakthrough came when my four-year-old, who used to kick, bite, and scream through every time-out, actually walked to her room on her own. She’s still a strong-willed kid with big feelings, but the boundaries are now clear and easy for her to grasp. The atmosphere at home has shifted dramatically—there’s less anger and aggression, which brings a huge sense of relief. My older kids (ages 7 and 10) don’t need time-outs often, but this method has effectively curbed the constant whining and backtalk. I’m deeply grateful for the tools Parent Magic provided to help our family find calm.

Parent Magic has been a cornerstone of my practice for years. In the retail therapy space here in West Chicago, it stands out as the most effective tool in my professional kit. I rate it a perfect 10/10.

Parent Magic truly is a game-changer. I first tried their approach back in 1992 with my two sons. My eldest was just four then, and let’s just say he had a lot of energy. When the doctor prescribed Ritalin, I decided to try a different path, and I’m so glad I did. This program didn’t just help my kids; it saved our family dynamics. Now that my boys are 30 and have their own families, the connection we built is still there. If they’re being a bit cheeky, I can still get a rise out of them with the same techniques. It really is the best decision I ever made.

We bought this set from Parent Magic in West Chicago because the original one finally wore out. It’s become a staple in our parenting classes at the Pregnancy Resource Center, and the parents absolutely love it!

Parent Magic’s West Chicago program did a fantastic job of getting us up to speed on the 123 Programme. Even though we already knew about it, the approach really helped our son and daughter buy in. It’s been a great introduction for our 9-year-old boy and 6-year-old girl.

Dr. Phelan is an exceptional speaker who clearly embodies compassion and sharp intellect. It’s wonderful to know there are people like him making the world a better place. The video from Parent Magic is packed with practical real-life examples, case studies, and actionable advice, featuring actors with children of various ages to illustrate the points. We’ve already started implementing the suggested strategies, such as focusing on positive reinforcement. It was eye-opening to track the ratio of criticisms to praises and realize how often we used to reprimand in the past. Tools like charting and kitchen timers have also been very effective for us. Overall, the video offered great insights into our own parenting styles, and it was reassuring to confirm that being warm and loving towards our kids is exactly what matters. We’re glad we got this from Parent Magic in West Chicago!

As a parenting educator, I assign this workbook as take-home material, and it effectively confirms that students have grasped the core concepts. I confidently recommend this resource and program to anyone seeking guidance on child-rearing.

This resource from Parent Magic in West Chicago proved to be a true lifeline for our family. We started reading it after our child psychologist suggested it, following years of struggles that began when my daughter was nearly three. At the time, we were convinced she had a serious issue and were starting to lose our patience. I was skeptical that the advice would work, but I figured we had nothing to lose. The improvement was noticeable within just a few weeks, and seeing her develop better self-control was incredible. If you are on the brink of exhaustion, I highly recommend giving these methods a genuine try—you won’t regret it.

Parent Magic delivered exactly what we needed. The book is incredibly easy to understand and even easier to put into practice. Our three-year-old adapted to the 1-2-3 Magic technique far better than we expected. After a lot of back-and-forth between my husband and me regarding discipline and praise, this method helped us finally get on the same page. We do still count to three occasionally, but the real win is that he is beginning to grasp the link between his behavior and the consequences. It feels great to be aligned as parents, and we are excited to see how this approach works with our second child on the way.

Parent Magic has been a wonderful resource for me. I’ve bought the 1-2-3 Magic book multiple times over the last 12 years to help support parents in my work. The program is straightforward yet effectively encourages parents to be mindful of their own behavior and stay calm when enforcing rules. I even apply these principles with my own kids. Highly recommend!

I found the two videos from Parent Magic in West Chicago to be incredibly practical. They are straightforward to grasp and make it simple to apply the techniques right away.

Parent Magic in West Chicago really helps bring structure to daily life. Their approach to building discipline is practical and easy to put into action. Highly effective for anyone looking to establish consistent routines.

Parents Magic really delivered in West Chicago! As two educators, we have tried every trick in the book, but this approach actually made a difference for us. The results were fast, and our home feels much more peaceful now.

For over a year, life at home with my three-year-old twin girls was nothing but constant screaming and crying. If one wasn’t throwing a fit, the other was. I read every parenting book on the shelf, trying "peaceful parenting" techniques, but nothing worked. I found myself yelling more, and soon I was having tantrums right along with them. It felt like an endless cycle of turmoil, and I genuinely wondered what was wrong with me. Even counseling didn’t fix the chaos at home. When our pediatrician recommended Dr. Phalen’s work, I was skeptical about adding yet another book to my pile. But I was thrilled to find the video format. One Saturday morning, while managing the chaos of two screaming toddlers, I watched the "Tantrums" video in short bursts. Dr. Phalen’s advice clicked immediately. Suddenly, my rational brain engaged. I had a clear strategy and knew exactly how to handle them before they wound up. I started applying his methods that same afternoon, and the results were instant. It’s been three weeks, and tantrums are now the exception, not the rule. The kids are more playful with each other and with me, and we are all so much happier. Thank you!

We picked up this guide from Parent Magic during a parenting workshop in West Chicago. It has genuinely helped us manage our household with our four-year-old. Highly effective and worth the investment.

As a parent who had previously watched other families struggle and decided to never use the "count to three" method, I was skeptical when I first bought Parent Magic's 1-2-3 Magic book. That decision turned out to be life-changing for us. Even now, with kids aged 11 and 14, the principles still hold up, and I appreciate how it has helped us escape the cycle of constant yelling and negotiations. I also use the method as a preschool teacher, where it works wonders for children as young as two. It gives them a sense of control by letting them choose their own outcome, which effectively diffuses those inevitable power struggles. It’s simple, understandable, and genuinely effective.

Parent Magic in West Chicago delivered exactly what I needed. I started with the book and realized my husband and nanny would benefit from the video system too, so I ordered the DVD. It’s a smart choice for busy parents—the video conveys the same essential information as the text but is much quicker to digest. While the production looks a bit dated, the core content is spot-on and gets the job done perfectly.

Parent Magic has truly delivered a gem with this book. The techniques are easy to grasp and, more importantly, they actually work. If you are tired of the constant battles and negotiations with your kids, this is the solution you need. It’s highly effective—just apply the methods consistently, and you’ll see results with almost any child. Highly recommended!

Living in West Chicago with three boys aged 2, 4, and 8, I found Parent Magic’s 1-2-3 Magic system to be a true lifesaver. Purchasing both the book and the video last fall completely transformed our household. Even on those days when I’m utterly drained from keeping up with the trio—counting to three and staying consistent—knowing the method works brings me immense relief. I’ve successfully navigated the toughest parenting challenges without raising my voice, slapping, or giving myself a headache. It truly feels like I’ve mastered the art of discipline, and I owe that peace of mind to you.

I’m thrilled to share that my daughters are raising their own kids with the same grace and respect I taught them, often pointing out when other adults drop the ball. Just like my mom passed down Dr. Spock’s wisdom to me, I’m proud to be passing the 1-2-3 Magic method from Parent Magic down to the next generation. My father introduced me to the program when my eldest was two and barely manageable, and seeing it work so well for our family, I can’t wait to see it shape my girls’ future parenting as well.