Children cannot thrive on bribes, threats, rewards, and punishment. (more…)

To get the tools we need, we must first become aware of the inappropriate, ineffective, or destructive tools that we are using. Then we must (more…)

When praise is experienced as manipulation, it might or might not get kids to do what the praiser wants; however, praise-dependent kids will spend a (more…)

Nagging invites kids to tune out the nagger. (more…)

Do we want to influence and empower our children, or control them and make them mind? Most of us will probably say that we want (more…)

The Golden Rule, as it is called, can serve us well when applied to our relations with our children. If we are not sure whether (more…)

External motivation does not inspire anyone to be compassionate, honest, trustworthy, or fair. It merely manipulates a child into performing a specific task. (more…)

Discipline...is not something we do to children. It is a process that gives life to learning; it is restorative, and it invites reconciliation. Its goal (more…)

Many parents struggle to come up with consequences that are appropriate and meaningful. If you have to struggle to come up with a consequence, step (more…)

Feedback enables kids to look at their expression of feelings, their behavior, and their deeds honestly and realistically. There are three different kinds of feedback: (more…)

Sincere compliments that recognize and show appreciation for something children have done can open the door to their setting their own higher goals and determining (more…)

With threats and punishment, children are robbed of the opportunity to develop their own inner discipline—the ability to act with integrity, wisdom, compassion, and mercy (more…)