show-faith-parents.jpg A Positive Discipline Tool Card One of the biggest mistakes some parents and teachers make, when they decide to use Positive Discipline, is becoming too permissive because they don’t want to be punitive. Some mistakenly believe they are being kind when they rescue their children, and protect them from all disappointment. This is not […]
Category Archives: Parents
Closet Listening
closet-listening.jpg A Positive Discipline Tool Card Have you ever tried talking with your children only to be frustrated by one word, unenthusiastic, totally bored responses? Many parents become discouraged when they ask their children, “How was your day?” and their children say, “Fine.” Then they ask, “What did you do today?” The response is, […]
Letting Go: Morning Hassles and Responsibility
by Dr. Jane Nelsen letting-go.jpg “Jimmy, time to get up! C’mon, Jimmy, get up now! This is the last time I’m going to call you!” Sound familiar? Mornings in Jimmy’s home are much like mornings in other homes around the world—hectic, argumentative, and full of hassles. Jimmy has not learned to be responsible because […]
Sense of Humor
sense-of-humor-parents.jpg by Dr. Jane Nelsen No one ever said parenting had to be boring or unpleasant. Laughter is often the best way to approach a situation. Try saying, “Here comes the tickle monster to get children who don’t pick up their toys.” Learn to laugh together and to create games to get unpleasant jobs […]
Control Your Behavior
control-your-behavior-parents.jpg by Dr. Jane Nelsen The Positive Discipline Tool Card of “Control Your Behavior” is sometimes easier said than done. Have you ever lost control of your behavior with your children? Fortunately we can use the parenting tool of Recovery from Mistakes when we lose control of our behavior. But it is always better if we […]
Pay Attention
by SingleDadBrad pay_attention_blog.jpg Are your children getting the impression that they are not important? Put down whatever you are doing and focus on your child as though he or she is more important than anything else you could do. Don’t forget to schedule special time. (See the Special Time card.) Remember what Toni Morrison said: […]
Happy New Year 2022
Welcoming the new year is a great time to reflect on the past and plan for the future. This past year has been challenging. However, challenges can provide opportunities for learning — a key principle of Positive Discipline. A POSITIVE DISCIPLINE TOOL FOR 2022 When parents share a challenge they are having with a […]
ASK FOR HELP
by Jane Nelsen and Mary Nelsen Tamborski Excerpt from the Positive Discipline Parenting Tools Book ask-for-help.jpg A Positive Discipline Tool Card Telling children they are capable is not effective. They must have experiences where they feel capable. 1. Children feel capable, belonging, and significance when they contribute. 2. Look for every opportunity to say, “I […]
Helpful Hints For Empowering Vs. Enabling
empower-your-kids.jpg An Excerpt from Positive Discipline for Teenagers by Jane Nelsen and Lynn Lott A friend asked me if Positive Discipline was a program to teach parents to manage their children. I said, “No, it is a program to help parents empower their children to manage themselves.” You may be vividly aware of how […]
Positive Time Out
positive-time-out.jpg An excerpt from Positive Time-Out Many parents and teachers say “Go to your room (or to the corner) and think about what you did.” I’m amazed that many adults don’t know the answer when I ask, “Do you know why that is a ludicrous statement?” They come up with all kinds of responses […]