Gentle Discipline: Using Emotional Connection--Not Punishment--to Raise Confident, Capable Kids Paperback – August 29, 2017

I highly recommend this mom to ALL parents. If you’re trying to be a better parent and be different than your parents this is the book.

Growing up in my generation it was always seen that disciplining had to be a means of punishment or reward. Never anyone batting an eye and thinking much of it. I truly have appreciated the insight this book has brought to me and my family, and I look forward to raising my son in a more gentler and more understanding way of life. Thank you!

Sarah Ockwell-Smith's book is excellent as it provides not only information concerning why it is necessary to be gentle in disciplining children but demonstrates practical techniques to accomplish this task. She cited Banduras studies on role modelling that is the most important task as a parent and is not easy for those who were not parented well or maltreated as children. This is especially important in discussing the dangers of using corporal punishment. She has a chapter about school discipline which is timely as it is still legal in 19 US states to use corporal punishment, usually paddling on school children, with disastrous results overrepresented in punishing disabled, autistic or minority children. Congress over the last few years has rejected several bills to make this illegal and is currently rejecting a similar bill. I can vouch for the authors skill in advocating for gentle discipline without physical punishment. I have 32 years in this field of child protection and have written articles and a book on the subject. Her book richly deserves 5 stars.

this book was easy to read and apply to life lessons

Love this book. So many helpful insights on how a child’s brain develops and operates.

This book provided a great start to helping this mom change some behaviors. Helping to become more self aware of why my sons acts the way he does. Gives valuable answers, positive changes, and scenarios to help. Great in the audible version. Highly recommend.

I love this book. It's been so insightful and is so in alignment with how I want to raise my son. I've definitely learned a lot and had my eyes opened about ways of responding that don't work and the importance of seeing life from their perspective. It's easy as a parent to view a situation from your (adult) point of view and it's so eye opening to come at it from their children's point of view. This book has been wonderful about opening my eyes to this, and more, and it's given me so much space (i.e. patience and understanding) for him and his toddler upsets. It's really made a difference in how I parent and I haven't even finished the book yet! Highly recommend.

This book has created a revolution in my life as a mother and I am forever grateful for taking the time to read it. My ideas about discipline have completely changed and I learned a lot about what drives children’s behaviors. I am using the tools from this book every single day for all of my children from ages 6 to 16.