Aha! Parenting

3 Simple Big Ideas

Regulate Your
Own Emotions

Kids learn to manage their emotions when their parents model how it's done. That’s why Dr. Laura’s free coaching emails give you a blueprint for self-regulation, and the self-care that makes it possible.

Connect with
Your Child

From tantrums to texting, the secret of happy parenting is a close relationship with your child. Without that connection, we have little influence (”My kids won’t listen!”) and parenting becomes exhausting.

Coach Instead
of Controlling

Coach, instead of trying to control, so your child wants to cooperate with you. Sure, you need to set limits—but if you set them with empathy and respect, you’ll find your child is much more likely to comply.

About Dr. Laura Markham

What is Aha! Parenting?

Meet Dr. Laura Markham

Watch Video

You know what an Aha! Moment is, right?

With your child it’s that lightning flash of insight, when suddenly you see things from a new perspective, and everything has the potential to be different. This website has Aha! moments for parents of every age child, from pregnancy right through the teen years, guaranteed to help you create a home with a lot less drama and a lot more love.

Dr. Laura Markham, the founder of Aha! Parenting, trained as a Clinical Psychologist at Columbia University—but she’s also a mom, so she understands kids—and how tough it is to be a parent.

More about Dr. Laura Markham

WHAT PARENTS ARE SAYING

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"This website is gold!! Just what I needed. None of the other methods of "disciplining" were working for us. These articles are really helping me understand what my son needs. And the way you give specific actions to take, with suggested words! I often find myself thinking when reading about parenting, "But how exactly do I implement that????" I feel like I'm left hanging. This website does not leave me hanging. Thank you! We all want to be awesome parents; we just don't know how." - Lisa Ryder
”

“
This is consistently the BEST parenting website out there.
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Megan Nida

“
Yours is the best advice I've found so far on what to do when you, the parent,are angry. Most say something like, "Deal positively with your anger!" which makes me say, "Like HOW?" - Rachel at Milkbreath and Me
”

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"I found Dr. Laura Markham on www.Ahaparenting.com and just the most simple words have helped me to find a better version of myself as a mom and even as a wife. I have written on a wall at home to always choose love, love is patient, love is kind, love protects, love will get me home."
”

Dr. Laura Markham has been featured in thousands of articles including…

"Dr. Markham coaches parents to “hit the pause button” before taking any action, even in the face of a screaming child. "

"In the Atlantic Magazine’s animated video series about parenting, Dr. Laura Markham reveals the surprising childrearing method that promotes not only generosity, but also resiliency."

"Dr. Markham suggests explaining to your kids that chores are important because that's how you show respect and contribute to your family."

"Dr. Laura Markham’s Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids was a favorite among our panelists."

"Empathize, but don't take responsibility for the child's boredom," says Dr. Laura Markham, a New York clinical psychologist who specializes in coaching parents."