Have you heard the term Positive Parenting? It’s more than a just a fad or a catch-phrase to describe the latest discipline technique. It is a research-backed approach to parenting kids respectfully that is gaining momentum and support around the world.
When I first started learning about positive parenting, I couldn’t get my hands on enough resources to learn more. Over the last 6 years, I’ve discovered plenty of amazing books, speakers, websites, associations, and blogs that have helped me learn to be the parent I want to be – and which have made parenting a LOT EASIER!
Today I’m sharing with you my positive parenting resources list in the hopes that you’ll find it as helpful as I have!
There are Amazon Affiliate links in this post. Please see my Disclosure to learn more.
What is Positive Parenting?
It is a collection of skills and knowledge that create an approach to kids that focuses on connecting with kids and treating them respectfully, without the use of punishments or bribes.
It has also been shown by research to be effective, in the short term and long-term, in raising confident and emotionally healthy kids with good self-esteem.
To find out more – check out this post: What is Positive Parenting? Is it for my family?
Connect with Positive Parenting Authors
Become familiar with some of the most well-known positive parenting experts and authors! I’ve listed their names, along with their most popular books, their websites and social media links.
Alfie Kohn
Author of: Unconditional Parenting and Punished by Rewards
Known for: Challenging the need to control children through the use of punishments and rewards. His catchphrase encourages parents to “work WITH” kids instead of “doing TO” them.
Website: Alfie Kohn Website
Social Media: Twitter
Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish
Authors of: How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk
and Siblings Without Rivalry
Known for: Their highly successful books (sold over 3 million!) and parenting workshops which remain popular with parents 30 years after their initial release.
Website: Faber Mazlish Workshops
Judy Arnall
Author of: Discipline Without Distress
and Parenting With Patience
Known for: Detailed, common-sense explanations of the downsides of using punishment, as well as providing tons of common-sense and positive alternatives.
Website: Professional Parenting Website
Social Media: Facebook, YouTube
Pam Leo
Author of: Connection Parenting: Parenting Through Connection Instead of Coercion, Through Love Instead of Fear
Known for: Saying, “We can’t teach children to behave better by making them feel worse. When children feel better, they behave better.”
Website: Connection Parenting Website
Dr. Laura Markham
Author of: Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids: How to Stop Yelling and Start Connecting and Peaceful Parent, Happy Siblings: How to Stop the Fighting and Raise Friends for Life
Known for: Encouraging parents to take a vow of “Yellibacy.”
Website: AHA Parenting Website
Social Media: Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Google+
Alyson Schafer
Author of: Honey, I Wrecked the Kids
and Ain’t Misbehavin’
Known for: Her humorous approach to helping parents decrease their stress through positive parenting strategies.
Website: Alyson Schafer
Social Media: Twitter, Facebook, Google+, YouTube
Janet Lansbury
Author of: Elevating Child Care: A Guide to Respectful Parenting
and No Bad Kids: Toddler Discipline Without Shame
Known for: Being a 1980’s model/actress and for following the teachings of Magda Gerber.
Website: Elevating Care Website
Social Media: Twitter, Facebook
Dr. Jane Nelson
Author of: Positive Discipline
and Positive Discipline A-Z: 1001 Solutions to Everyday Parenting Problems (Positive Discipline Library)
Known for: Being a mother of 7 children and the author/co-author of over 15 positive parenting books!
Website: Positive Discipline
Social Media: Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, YouTube
Barbara Coloroso
Author of: Kids Are Worth It! : Giving Your Child The Gift Of Inner Discipline
and The Bully, the Bullied, and the Bystander: From Preschool to HighSchool
Known for: Encouraging parents to communicate these 6 critical life messages to their kids: I believe in you, I trust you, I know you can handle this, You are listened to, You are cared for, You are very important to me.
Website: Kids Are Worth It
Social Media: Twitter, YouTube
Lawrence J. Cohen
Author of: Playful Parenting
and The Opposite of Worry: The Playful Parenting Approach to Childhood Anxieties and Fears
Known for: Advocating a playful parenting approach to help build connections with kids.
Website: Playful Parenting Website
Social Media: Twitter
Naomi Aldort
Author of: Raising Our Children, Raising Ourselves
Known for: Addressing the emotional needs of children and their parents.
Website: The Authentic Parenting Site
Social Media: Google+, YouTube
Dan Siegel
Authors of: No-Drama Discipline
, The Whole-Brain Child
, The Yes Brain
, Parenting from the Inside Out
Known for: Looking at the neuroscience behind how children learn and grow and what parenting strategies are the most effective for the development of emotionally and mentally resilient children.
Website: DrDanSiegel.com
Social Media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube
Dr. Marshall Rosenberg
Author of: Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life, Raising Children Compassionately: Parenting the Nonviolent Communication Way
Known for: Creating Non-Violent Communication, a way of speaking and using language that helps people listen to others for their underlying feelings and needs, and express their feelings and needs in ways that others can hear peacefully.
Website: Center for Non-Violent Communication
Also be sure to read the kernels of wisdom that I gathered from each of my Top 10 Must-Read Positive Parenting Books.
Positive Parenting Websites
An assortment of other helpful online parenting associations and websites that encourage respectful and proactive parenting.
Attachment Parenting International | Ask Dr. Sears Website | Positive Discipline Association | Kids In The House | Positive Parenting Solutions
Positive Parenting Online Series
The ABCs of Positive Parenting
An ongoing series which breaks down the positive parenting approach into its critical ingredients.
Each post summarizes the current thinking and parenting research in that week’s topic, and gives examples of how the strategies might look in real life.
Teaching Kids About Character Alphabetic Series
This series covers 26 positive character traits that we’d like to encourage in children.
Each posts reviews positive parenting strategies to use, examples of how and when to use them, and recommends children’s books that can reinforce the traits.
Positive Parenting Blogs
Although there are generic parenting websites out there that provide links to articles and resources, blogs have so much more to offer! (I may be slightly biased…)
Bloggers write new posts several times a week about topics that relate to their own lives with their children – and share their experiences, expertise, and encouragement. They are real parents – who are thrilled to be entering a conversation with you.
These are my favourite positive parenting blogs.
Messy Motherhood
Amanda is a Children’s Mental Health Counsellor with credentials in Play Therapy – and she’s a mom of 2. Her blog’s slogan is: “Nurturing the seasons of motherhood.”
Amanda doesn’t shy away from the not-so-glamorous realities of day to day parenting, and her advice is always helpful and intended for real parents. Although this girl knows her stuff, she’s never condescending and totally relatable.
Check out her top posts: Overwhelmed Mom and the Mom Funk and The Ultimate Guide to Stop Yelling at Your Kids.
Positive Parenting Connection
Ariadne is a trained Positive Discipline Parenting Educator, the creator of Positive Parenting Connections, and a mom of 3. Her blog’s slogan is: “Cooperation begins with trust!”
She writes, along with a number of other experienced collaborators, about non-punitive parenting with kids of all ages.
Check out the collection of posts filled with Alternatives to Punishment and the advice in this post to Avoid Button Pushing Moments was just perfect!
Picklebums
Kate is a former Preschool Teacher and an Aussie mom of 4. She blogs about all things to do with raising kids and parenting.
She’s funny – and witty, and she makes beautiful printables with inspiring messages like these Love Lunch Box Notes.
My favourite parenting post of hers is probably this one on why we shouldn’t strive to make our kids happy.
Bounceback Parenting
Alissa is a mom of 3 blogging about real parenting and ways to connect with kids.
Her blog’s slogan is “Joyful parenting for real people” and she focuses on sharing ways to help other parents find the joy in everyday parenting moments, regardless of the challenges.
I love her 64 Positive Things to Say to Kids post and her brutal honesty and self-reflection in The Day I Realized I Was Bullying My Kids may strike a note with you.
Peaceful Parents, Confident Kids
Kate is a mom who blogs about positive, peaceful and respectful ways of raising kids.
Her blog’s slogan is “Parenting with respect” and she focuses on sharing everyday stories of life as a parent, inspirational posts as well as positive discipline tips and strategies.
She’s got an amazing Beginner’s Guide to RIE Parenting post that will connect you to all kinds of other positive resources and be sure to check out her post on Rebuilding a Child’s Confidence.
One Time Through
I’m Sue – a former Behaviour Therapist turned Elementary School Teacher, and mom of one amazing boy who I refer to as Onetime. My blog’s slogan is, “Parent smarter…not harder.”
I blog about how to turn everyday activities with kids into fun learning experiences – and am passionate about sharing all the things I continue to learn about positive parenting.
My most popular parenting posts are: Helping Aggressive Kids: 10 Positive Parenting Tips, Healthy Self-Esteem in Kids: 10 Things Parents Can DO To Help and 10 Ways to Discipline Without Controlling Our Kids
I hope you enjoyed browsing through this list and that I’ve saved you some time finding positive parenting resources for support, answers and encouragement!
To find even more positive parenting tips, follow me on Facebook and Twitter.
Best,
What a fabulous resource!
I am so honored to be mentioned among so many great authors and bloggers!
Thank you!
Thanks so much for dropping by Kate! Love Picklebums! Best, Sue
This is a great list! It is great to have all of these resources in one place. And there are some new ones I wasn’t familiar with. I will be referring to this over and over!
Glad you find it helpful Ashley. Hope I’ve saved you some time! Thanks for dropping by, Best, Sue
I’m curious as to why you haven’t included Dr Dan Siegel of The Whole Brain Child and No Drama Discipline – to our family those books provide the research-backed basis for the positive parenting techniques that many of the authors propose using anecdotal evidence.
Hi Tiffany and thanks so much for dropping by! The Whole Brain Child is one of my favourite parenting books as well – I’ve actually included it in my list of favourite parenting resources here: https://onetimethrough.com/positive-parenting/positive-parenting-book-list/. I guess it just didn’t make my top 10 – mostly because it’s a little more challenging to read than the others, and it had fewer strategies to share than the other books I mentioned in this post. I highly recommend it though for sure and I have used it as a reference for many of my positive parenting series posts! As for No Drama Discipline – it’s currently on my list to read, so I can’t recommend it yet. I hope it’s as good as I hear. I’m currently working my way through Dan Siegel’s “Parenting from the Inside Out” which has also brought lots of “lightbulb” moments. Thanks again for your feedback!
thank a lot for your web site it assists a great deal.
Thanks for sharing this books! Will check it out soon!