Many parents carry a quiet, persistent question in their hearts: Is our home truly a place where my child feels emotionally safe, respected, and deeply connected? Even loving, intentional caregivers can feel unsure at times. Parenting often brings moments of doubt, overwhelm, and the desire to “do better” without always knowing what that looks like […]
behavior
Understanding Anger in Children and Ourselves: Modeling Calm and Healthy Responses
Anger is a natural and universal emotion. It shows up in all of us, adults and children alike. While anger itself is not harmful, how we respond to it can make a big difference in our relationships, our mental health, and the way children learn to handle their own emotions. Why Understanding Anger Matters Children […]
5 Tips to Make Preschool and Kindergarten Drop-Off Easier
Starting preschool or kindergarten is a big milestone—for both your child and you. While this transition can be exciting, it often comes with tears, clinginess, and a massive dose of parent guilt. If mornings feel stressful, you’re not alone! Separation anxiety is common at this age, and the good news is that there are gentle […]
What to Do When Your Child Hits
(Excerpt from the upcoming mini book by The Gentle Parenting Institute) One of the hardest moments in parenting is when your child hits. Whether it’s you, a sibling, or another child, the instinct to react quickly—and often emotionally—is strong. The toughest part is remembering not to take it personally. Behavior is communication. When we take […]
“Behavior Chart” for Managing Screen Time and Getting Tasks Accomplished
First… we were never a big “screen” family…. but we don’t shy away from screens, either. Our kids had Kindles but they were only brought out for long road or plane trips. They were occasionally allowed to play some games on our phones. And we love movies enough to watch one as a family before […]
The Truth About Negative Reinforcement
When you hear the term Negative Reinforcement, what do you think? What does that mean to you? Does the term ‘negative’ immediately make you think ‘bad?’ If it does, you’re definitely NOT alone. Negative Reinforcement is often used as a way to say that ‘bad’ behavior is being reinforced: “We have to make sure we’re […]
How We Avoid Punishing Our Children
I often see comments in gentle parenting boards asking, “If you don’t punish, what do you do?” Or, “There are definitely circumstances where punishments are necessary, right?” As a BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst), I frequently have to hold back from defining the term ‘punishment’ because I know that’s not exactly what folks mean. I […]
Give Your Energy to the Behavior You Want to See
A friend of mine, who also happens to be a Marriage and Family Counselor and BCBA, often gave what I considered a fantastic speech during trainings we used to do together. He would ask our audience during which scenario more energy was being displayed. Then he would dramatically shout something like the following: “What are […]