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:
The Neurobiology of Peaceful Parenting
Four videos of Dr. Laura Markham's parenting hacks to work with your child's nervous system (and your own!) for optimal brain development & a more peaceful home.
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Why Peaceful Parenting?
Peaceful parenting raises an emotionally healthy child who WANTS to cooperate, without yelling, threats, bribes or punishment.
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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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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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The surprise side benefit of regulating your own emotions
Would you work harder to stay calm, if you knew it would change your child?
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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 More“I receive Dr. Laura Markham's weekly emails. Every bit of advice she offers is relevant and realistic. Many parenting advice experts are impressive and great but it is practically impossible to follow through on their advice. She gives advice for real people who have jobs and busy lives.”
Mother of a 2-year-old son in Raising Arizona Kids
Dr. Laura is a parent whisperer! - Liz McIntosh
Liz McIntosh
Dr. Laura's parenting advice completely changed my relationship with my daughter, improved her self-esteem, and transformed our lives. Providing my daughter with acknowledgement of her feelings and point of view reduced her oppositional behaviors and emotional meltdowns to nearly none. - Jodie Tokatlian
Dr. Laura, you have created miracles, large and small, in so many lives and our children thank you.
I love AhaParenting because there is always a "pick yourself up and try again" to it. - Chantal Harrison
Chantal Harrison
It's like these emails were meant for me. - Caroline Henry
"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
