What are Some Current Ideas about Effective Discipline?​

Parenting is a complex job and most parents feel the pressure these days to do it perfectly. Many authors, including renowned parent educator Barbara Coloroso, deliver a message that rejects any 'quick fix' solutions for giving children inner discipline and self-confidence. They say that good parenting begins with treating children with dignity and respect that will help them grow into responsible, resourceful, resilient and compassionate adults. 

Parents can create an emotionally healthy environment for their child by providing structure in their child's life, establishing rules, setting limits and teaching him how to handle conflict. It also means giving your child a sense of control over certain aspects of her own life, as appropriate. 
  • Establish your authority in matters of safety and basic family rules.
  • Offer them opportunities to make choices within these parameters. 
  • Help your child take responsibility for some tasks (setting the table) or self care (brushing their hair), and let them work at it with minimal interference. 
  • Teach them to take responsibility for their own behaviour. 
  • Talk to them, in simple understandable words, about problems and conflicts they encounter. The words may not appear to make a difference initially, but they will learn about themselves and other people from you. 
  • Help them learn from their own successes and mistakes.
​Books We Recommend
  • 1-2-3 Magic: Effective Discipline for Children 2-12, Thomas W. Phelan.
  • How to Talk so Kids Will Listen and Listen so Kids Will Talk, Adele Faber & Elaine Mazlich
  • Kids Are Worth It, Barbara Coloroso
  • Mom, They're Teasing Me: Helping Your Child Solve Social Problems, Michael Thompson
  • Parenting the Strong-Willed Child, Revised and Updated Edition: The Clinically Proven Five-Week Program for Parents of Two - to Six-Year-Olds, Dr. Rex Forehand and Dr. Nicholas Long
  • The Ten Basic Principles of Good Parenting, Laurence Steinberg


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