It’s no secret that I love Dr. Laura. If you follow my blog or my Facebook page, you know that I speak of her often; that I suggest her website to parents looking for gentle, loving guidance; and that I myself have come as far as I have, largely because of the help that Dr. Laura offers. If you haven’t yet visited Aha! Parenting.com, it is a brilliant website filled with simple, easy to read articles that walk parents through some of the toughest aspects of dealing with children of all ages. Last week I was honored to have an ACTUAL PHONE CONVERSATION with this woman I feel I’ve been taking advice from the past three years. Dr. Laura has transformed my family by giving me the support and information I needed to be able to change myself. I was not always a ‘peaceful parent’ and I so badly wanted to be. Aha! Parenting.com helped to make that happen.
I was pleased to find that Dr. Laura’s book, Peaceful Parent, HAPPY KIDS, is much like her website. Dr. Laura is great at reminding us that as parents we are not perfect, but that we are capable of being the gentle, compassionate parents we (and our children!) would like ourselves to be. This a 3-part, 5-chapter book, with each chapter divided into sections. Some of the sections are further broken down by age (0-13 Months, 13-36 Months, etc.). I will be sharing what I’m reading as I get further along, but so far I love her book. I have seen so much of what I’ve been learning to do in her writing. It’s validating to know that I am on the right path, and to be reminded of certain things that I’ve let slack!
My favorite chapter in the book (I’m reading out of order) is Chapter 5, ‘Raising A Child Who Achieves With Joy And Self-Esteem’. This chapter helps parents to support children through various ages and stages of behavioral development. Like Ahaparenting.com, the book is useful for parents whether we’re just starting on our gentle parenting journey, or have been practicing it since the beginning.
Would you like a free copy of ‘Peaceful Parent, HAPPY KIDS‘?! I know you would. Comment here and tell me anything you love about gentle parenting, Aha.Parenting.com, or the journey you’re on! Within the next week Dr. Laura and I will pick the winner and I will contact them via the page or email. Thanks for reading and I hope you win!
Also, if you’d like to hear the interview, click here, and comment to let me know what you thought!
Hello! I have been following you for so long now, and I love everything you do. I appreciate the effort you put into your blog, to encourage, inspire, and help parents. I love so many things about gentle parenting. Specifically, I really take to heart the closeness I have with my son. He trusts me to take care of him and help him through big emotional situations. Thank you for this interview! What a wonderful opportunity to share your and Dr. Laura’s wisdom with us!
I would love to win a copy of this book! Love Dr Markham and the single crunch. Favorite thing about gentle parenting? I feel good about it. If I stray from gentle solutions I don’t feel like I’m being true to myself or fair to my son.
the thing i like best about gentle parenting is building a relationship that “traditional” parents wish they had – and in turn being an example for change! where i live i think im probably the ONLY person doing this kind of parenting, so its rather lonely. but i hope that somehow someone is taking notes!
I love that the message of gentle parenting seems to be reaching farther and farther all the time. Our children will change the world with peace and love!
I’m always in need of another good book to read and Dr. Laura’s sounds like a must-have for parents on this wonderful path of parenthood.
Loved the interview!! I visit Dr. Markham’s website on a daily basis! I just couldn’t get through my day without reminding myself to see things from my kids’ perspectives. I think that’s my favorite part of parenting gently; it’s helped me to see through their eyes and start thinking of them as individuals with their own voices. My almost 3 yo is a very exuberant little guy, and if I hadn’t changed my parenting style a year ago, I’m pretty sure we wouldn’t have much of a connection now. Thanks for all both of y’all do!!
I didn’t even know she had a book out! I have a blended family and trying to get my hubby to the ‘gentler’ side has been hard. I try to show him things off of the Dr. Laura site all the time, and I also didn’t know about the Aha parenting site too. Wow, I have a lot of catching up to do
I would love this book so that my husband and I can read it together and hopefully get him to my side of changing how he parents to more of what I and Dr. Laura believe is best for children. Thank you!
I love how respectful it is, that it treats the child with dignity and doesn’t try to force outcomes with manipulation. It practices the way we’d like adult to adult communication to be, and it doesn’t assume that children aren’t entitled to the same treatment. It models and teaches respectful communication by example, when our little learners are learning how to go on in the world. And it doesn’t assume children are blank canvases that have nothing to contribute, but they have knowledge and intelligence, even when very young. And I hope that my husband and I will do a more fitting job parenting our small baby than the way we were raised because we are lucky enough to be helping her to grow up in a different tme than when our parents raised us, when it is easier to try and do things better.
I love when my daughter smiles at me or lingers for an extra squeeze after a bout of tears or frustration. Peaceful parenting is hard work, but I think I am slowly becoming a better mom.
I am a recent convert to gentle parenting, trying to break the cycle of yelling and screaming (of which I heard a lot when I was a kid). I would love to have a copy of the book to get my partner to read it. I love the web site but I do prefer an actual book. I am old fashioned that way.
I am so thankful that there are different strategies on parenting, especially Dr. Laura’s approach, which I feel very close in my heart to.
This is incredible! I can’t wait to listen to the full interview with my husband. You introduced me to Dr. Laura and Aha! Parenting. And I can’t get enough of it!
Wow how lucky you are to speak with her! I would love to win Dr Laura’s book! Hmmmm…. one thing I love about gentle parenting is seeing my kids responding to it, by being gentle with each other. Makes my heart warm
What a breath of fresh air! I came across this blog and interview via pintrest and I feel overcome with joy. Finally a parenting style that fits!
I was also told in the hospital to let my baby cry so that they learn to “self-soothe”. Of course, I could never do that. I was told I was ” spoiling” her. I couldn’t disagree more. I was loving her! Doing my job and responding to my daughter’s needs!
What a wonderful way to raise a child. To listen and love, demonstrate that their thoughts and feelings matter. I am a firm believer that any child given love, attention, and firm boundaries will blossom into a young person of great capability. We are after all raising the future. Surely we want our children to grow with love and an understanding of how we effect the world around us with words and intent while teaching the self confidence and esteem they need to make important life decisions.
I would love to receive a copy of this book. It would be read, re-read, recommended, and worn. To me, Ms. Kimberly and Dr. Laura are on a whole new level of raising social/emotional aware young people in a world where being anti social and unemotional is becoming increasingly the norm. You ARE making a difference in the world and I thank you.
My family has gone through some major changes over the past 6 month. My mother in law passed away, a few days before my husband announced we are going to separate. Our dog, who was still in good health followed her a couple weeks later. When my husband then moved out, my daughter (she just turned 7) was finally crushed. She actually said 3 bad things have happened to her. All the while I have been trying to also make changes in how I raise her and her little brother (22 mo). It’s been quite the journey and I have read a few books and been to Dr. Laura’s website. In the beginning of July we then moved to our current house, which was again a major change. This made the separation be final for her. She has been having problems with anger outbursts (maybe once a week to 10 days) and I am trying my hardest to be patient and gentle. I would very much like to read up more on how to become the parent she and her brother really need, and I want to be.
I’m new to gentle parenting, but I love it because it makes sense for us. I know I am helping my kids develop needed skills like empathy and compassion!
I’ve been blessed with two beautiful children, and they’ve taught me how to love so much more deeply. I want to be a better parent to them because they deserve nothing less than that.
I love (and hate!) that gentle parenting forces me to grow as a person! It’s not just about forcing my kid to behave well, it forces me to evaluate my own behavior towards my son, my husband, and others.
love gentle parenting and Dr Laura. i don’t always succeed on the path that i have chosen, but i am trying to be a better parent, and Aha Parenting and The Single Crunch help me when i’ve strayed…
transitioning our parenting world to a more accepting and loving space is such an important job. We’d appreciate any resources that help us to do that.
I believe gentle parenting is a loving way to raise vibrant and spirited Indigo children. I am growing alongside my children and happy to model calm and cool responses to things that used to drive my crazy. Your entries on The Single Crunch have been eye-opening, a comfort and an inspiration. As I shed many of my beliefs about how I ‘should’ be as a person and a mother, I embrace a new way of living with my children that brings us joy amidst the many challenges that can sometimes overwhelm when you are mothering on your own.
I believe and NEED gentle parenting. I especially need it for my son. He is a beautiful smart free spirit. His qualities will ensure him confidence and success when he is older. However as an almost four year old, it translate as a death wish. He is agressive, chooses not to follow rules, comes off emotionless and is a general stress on my sanity. But I so love him, would give my life for him. I know he needs and wants love, he just doesn’t wanna admit it. I had a new baby 4 mths ago and he has an olded sister of nine. He has just lost his way and can’t find his place in our family. I need all of the tools I need him to bring him back to the fold.
Plus, our last name is Price
I would love your book.
Thanks,
Joanne
I love that gentle parenting (when I manage it better..! I have just ordered the book and am trying every day) will stop generations of harsh parenting. I was raised by an alcoholic father who beat my mother and we lived in terror and after that I was bullied my whole childhood at many schools. I spent my life trying to survive and improve myself in order to be accepted finally and have self-esteem. I have failed so far, trying every type of therapy under the sun, in fact I have in the process become a therapist myself which does not help still. I fight for my child to have a good, happy life with acceptance and self-esteem. So the legacy ends. For that I need books like dr Markham’s because my DNA and neurolinguistic programming are stronger than me. Instead of delving and delving deep and being unable to change what has been formed when I was young, I get my practical advice from the happy kids book now and can save my child from a lieftime of pain! The innocence of children must be protected, even from loving mothers who need advice. The other books I swar by are by Ingeborg Bosh (past reality integration) I really recommend them (to help yourself and your children.
This is so wonderful. I recently gave birth to my daughter who is now four months old. I got a inner message early that I need to “trust my intuitions deeply” with her. And so I did, through the small hospital natural birth, exclusive breastfeeding, babywearing to the extreme of holding her practically every moment, even holding her hands through her sleep at night. And I got a lot of mainstream criticism- like spoiling her, being extreme, not letting her practice independence, raising her to be invert, etc. But just as I start doubting myself I came across the concept of attachment parenting. And I realize thats what my intuitions have been leading me to do all along!though i didn’t even know I was doing it.
What a revelation
Kimberly, is there a transcript of this interview? For your hard of hearing/deaf readers.