Editor’s Pick. Written by Sue Elvis. Some people might say that family rules are essential because they ensure a child knows what is right, and avoids what is wrong, and so he will act appropriately. If the rules are broken, then the child will have to face the consequences, which might include punishment. “My children…
Category: Peaceful Parenting
How Do I Move Toward Positive Parenting?
Editor’s Pick. Written by Jennifer Andersen. Many parents want to move toward positive parenting. They want to abandon controlling, bullying, and being punitive with their children. Instead, they want their relationship to be authentic, open, and genuine. These mothers and fathers ask “how do I do this? Where do I start? What do I do?”…
Parenting with Respect
Editor’s Pick. Written by unnecessarywisdom. There are a lot of parenting theories swirling around right now. I’ve found that I can relate to many of them and sort of fit with some of them. But I don’t really belong to any of them. I never found a group and followed along. And in searching for…
Nudity Unleashed
Editor’s Pick. Written by Candy Cook. I’m the mother of two sons. I was 22 when my oldest son was born. I was aware that my sons would grow up in the same world as young girls. The same world that would subject them to body-image doubts and self esteem issues similar to the issues…
Your Child, Not Your Property
Editor’s Pick. Written by biglovelittlehouse. My husband was playing with my daughter at the dinner table and was having cute little conversations with her. He tickled her underarm (which she normally thinks is hilarious) and suddenly she said “DON’T tickle me.” And that was that. Wes apologized and told her he wouldn’t. Children are born…
5 Ways I have Stopped Bullying My Kids
Editor’s Pick. Written by Jennifer Andersen. I am still bullying my kids. It is not intentional, and I wish I did not, but when the days are long, and I am tired, I lose my patience and yell, threaten, shame or withhold affection. This happens with less severity and frequency than it used to, but…
Remembering The Gift of Presence
Editor’s Pick. Written by Alice Hanscam. Technology has increased our opportunities to accomplish things, as well as increased the things we need to accomplish. And I wonder, at what cost to the important relationships around us? As your attention gets pulled in multiple directions, how are you feeling? Satisfied at accomplishing so much? Energized by…
Are we Bullying Our Children?
Editor’s Pick. Written by Jennifer Andersen. What if our efforts to stop bullying are misguided? What if the real solution comes long before our children enter school or set foot on a playground? What if bullying comes from us? Many will be up in arms at this suggestion. They will quickly dismiss it as asinine.…
Honesty, Anger and Parenting
Editor’s Pick. Written by Laura Markham. We need to be honest about our own feelings — with ourselves! We need to notice our emotions as they come up, take responsibility for them, and work through them. Because the truth is that every parent sometimes feels rage toward his or her child. Stuffing those feelings doesn’t…
Have American Parents Got It All Backwards?
Editor’s Pick. Written by Christine Gross-Loh. Imagine my surprise when I came across a kindergartener in the German forest whittling away on a stick with a penknife. His teacher, Wolfgang, lightheartedly dismissed my concern: “No one’s ever lost a finger!” Similarly, Brittany, an American mom, was stunned when she moved her young family to Sweden…