I often want to explain to people my parenting philosophy, my teaching theory, and my opposition to some traditional ways… Read more My Favorite Parenting and Education Books
Category: Positive Discipline

Healthy Eating Habits: Shaming is not Educating
I’ve noticed several times now that when I say I keep sugary foods away from my children or teach them… Read more Healthy Eating Habits: Shaming is not Educating

3 Years, 6 Months: When They Become Overwhelmed with Shame
I remain amazed at how predictable child development is. We dealt with an issue where my son, my third, fell… Read more 3 Years, 6 Months: When They Become Overwhelmed with Shame
What the “Rat Park” Experiment Might Teach us about Screen Time
Screen time is a highly controversial parenting issue of our day. As busy (or “lazy”) parents can’t tend to the… Read more What the “Rat Park” Experiment Might Teach us about Screen Time
A Congruent Response, not a Gentle One
Feedback I see a lot about trying to employ “positive” parenting (non-punitive) is that a person is trying gentle parenting… Read more A Congruent Response, not a Gentle One
Introduction to Misbehavior is Growth: Toddlers (Humanizing Toddlers)
This is the Introduction to Misbehavior is Growth: An Observant Parent’s Guide to the Toddler Years, offered as a free… Read more Introduction to Misbehavior is Growth: Toddlers (Humanizing Toddlers)
Top 5 Tools for Dealing with Children’s Emotions
In the hierarchy of emotions between parent and child, parents manage their own emotions and field the big emotions of… Read more Top 5 Tools for Dealing with Children’s Emotions
Preschool Conflict Resolution Tool: Make a Book about a Conflict with the Child
As anyone who has read Misbehavior is Growth or reads my blog, The Observant Mom, knows, I favor an educative… Read more Preschool Conflict Resolution Tool: Make a Book about a Conflict with the Child
When a Child Turns 4, You May as Well be Ready with Lessons About Social Behavior
As a child turns 4, they really start to grow in creativity. They have BIG ideas. They might start to… Read more When a Child Turns 4, You May as Well be Ready with Lessons About Social Behavior
You’re Right: Traditional Education Sucks
It is totally infuriating to me when someone says something like “Only 20% (sometimes 5%) of students think and work… Read more You’re Right: Traditional Education Sucks