Peaceful Parenting
What does it mean to be a Peaceful Parent?
No human is always peaceful. Peaceful Parenting just means that we work on ourselves first, so that we aren't taking our own emotions out on our children.
- We take responsibility for regulating our own emotions, so we can stay as calm as possible with our children.
- We set limits with empathy.
- We reflect before we react, looking for the reason behind our child's behavior.
- We connect before we correct.
- We try to accept our child's "big" emotions with compassion, which helps the child move past them.
- We apologize and repair when we mess up.
- We take responsibility for keeping our own "love cups" full, so we can pour our appreciation, acceptance and unconditional love into our child.
And we end up with more peaceful homes and hearts, a lot less drama, and a lot more love.
Start Here:
Ten Tips To Become a More Peaceful Parent
Ten tips for practicing peaceful parenting with your child, to raise a healthy, happy, emotionally intelligent child.
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Mindful Parenting: Your #1 Responsibility as a Parent
If we can stay mindful—meaning we notice our emotions and consciously CHOOSE how to act on them—we model emotional regulation, and our children learn from watching us.
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13 Tips to Transition to Peaceful Parenting
You Can Be That Peaceful Parent. Here's your plan.
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When You Get Angry At Your Child
How to Handle Your Anger at Your Child. In our calm moments we know that we could handle any parenting moment much better from a state of calm. Here's how.
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Healing Yourself So You Can Be a More Peaceful Parent
The truth is that virtually all of us were wounded as children, and if we don't heal those wounds, they prevent us from parenting our children optimally.
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Teen's Perspective: What Peaceful Parenting Taught Me
I often get questions from parents unconvinced of the effectiveness of my parenting techniques. I have a treat for you--a first-hand account from a peacefully parented young adult.
Read MoreFolks, she's brilliant. It's wonderful to have parenting experts who don't see the child as the enemy in a locked combat, for one thing. I recommend it.
"Your emails are life savers! So well thought-out and written!" - Helene Brazier-Mitouart
"I'd really recommend Laura Markham's Aha! parenting books and website for brilliantly practical ways to parent with kindness instead of punishment." - Makchoon
Makchoon
I have seen amazing improvement in my *very* angry 17 year-old son after acknowledging that there was a reason he was so angry and acting out. We have had several heartfelt conversations and I have seen a real change in how he treats his younger brother, and how he treats me.
I know that I am a better parent thanks to Dr. Laura's inspirational words and suggestions.
My daughter reacts so much better when I empathize and stay patient. And now I get to model that behavior instead of letting my frustration get the better of me.
"Another brilliant article, pulling compelling information together in a readable way. Thank you so much for the work you do. You help me as a parent of teenagers, and I pass your articles on to clients." - Nancy Eisenberg
Thank you so much for this great advice! You give me ideas for how I can "do it better" and that lifts me up with hope and positivity too!
"I just want to say that the advice about dealing with toddlers on this website is excellent. It is amazing how much my attitude changes my son's behavior. If I make an effort to empathize with him, he is so much more cooperative. It does take an effort -- after all, I have a lot to do and I don't always want to take the time. But I find it is worth it to avoid the tantrums and fussing. He is much better behaved now, and other people even comment on it."
Jennifer
Today I say thank you, tears streaming from my face, so proud of my little boy and all he will become. Thank you. - Jennifer B.
Jennifer B
Your philosophies are the only tools we've come across which offer practical advice grounded in clearly laid out lay terminology. Our family life day-to-day is nothing short of a miracle, thanks to you! - Dana Questad
Dana Questad
