Peaceful Parents, Happy Kids

Anger

Managing Your Toddler's Tantrums

Laura Markham Ph.D. on October 13, 2021

Toddlers feel passionately about everything, and simply don't have the frontal cortex capacity to control themselves when they're upset.

Toddlers feel passionately about everything, and simply don't have the frontal cortex capacity to control themselves when they're upset.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

3 Things to Help Keep Sane as School Approaches

Laura Markham Ph.D. on August 30, 2021

A child's emotional well-being and love of learning are the foundation of all future academic achievement. If a school option isn't working, stay open to new ones.

A child's emotional well-being and love of learning are the foundation of all future academic achievement. If a school option isn't working, stay open to new ones.

Motivation

How to Motivate Children for Success

Laura Markham Ph.D. on May 29, 2021

Children internalize feelings of accomplishment that strengthen character, confidence, and self-regulate emotions for life.

Children internalize feelings of accomplishment that strengthen character, confidence, and self-regulate emotions for life.

Anger

Strengthen a Parent-Child Relationship Through Connection

Laura Markham Ph.D. on May 25, 2021

You won't be able to pull this off all the time. But if you make it a habit several times a day, you'll find yourself shifting into presence more and more often.

You won't be able to pull this off all the time. But if you make it a habit several times a day, you'll find yourself shifting into presence more and more often.

Unconscious

Don’t Believe Everything You Think: Retraining

Laura Markham Ph.D. on May 2, 2021

Retraining your mind takes effort, but as you keep practicing, it gets easier.

Retraining your mind takes effort, but as you keep practicing, it gets easier.

Coaching

Raising Great Kids: Emotion Coaching and Modeling

Laura Markham Ph.D. on April 25, 2021

Giving your kids a good start in life means sending ripples generations into the future.

Giving your kids a good start in life means sending ripples generations into the future.

Parenting

Guiding Children to Behave Instead of Punishing Them

Laura Markham Ph.D. on April 15, 2021

If we want kids to accept our guidance, we need to maintain a positive relationship with them.

If we want kids to accept our guidance, we need to maintain a positive relationship with them.

Trust

Secrets of Saying No: Appropriate Limits

Laura Markham Ph.D. on April 11, 2021

It's that larger affirmation, that Yes, your child senses and responds to, that helps them accept your No.

It's that larger affirmation, that Yes, your child senses and responds to, that helps them accept your No.

Laughter

Obedience: Reasons Kids Don’t Do What We Say

Laura Markham Ph.D. on April 9, 2021

The good news is that following these practices consistently not only raises a self-disciplined child; it also raises a child who knows you'll follow through.

The good news is that following these practices consistently not only raises a self-disciplined child; it also raises a child who knows you'll follow through.

Anxiety

How to Prepare Your Child for a Successful Return to School

Laura Markham Ph.D. on April 3, 2021

Take a deep breath and remind yourself: My child can do hard things with enough support. And so can you.

Take a deep breath and remind yourself: My child can do hard things with enough support. And so can you.

Fear

When Your Child Is Worried About School Re-Opening

Laura Markham Ph.D. on April 1, 2021

What our children need most from us when they're feeling big emotions is just our calm, warm presence, which helps them feel safe to explore the feeling.

What our children need most from us when they're feeling big emotions is just our calm, warm presence, which helps them feel safe to explore the feeling.

Stress

Stressed and Overwhelmed? Here's Where to Start

Laura Markham Ph.D. on March 29, 2021

You can't prevent stressful events. But you can change how you think about them.

You can't prevent stressful events. But you can change how you think about them.

Education

Remote Learning: 6 Tips to Engage and Motivate Your Child

Laura Markham Ph.D. on March 26, 2021

As you put the energy in to help your child develop good work habits, they realize more and more success, so they're more motivated and self-regulating in their schoolwork.

As you put the energy in to help your child develop good work habits, they realize more and more success, so they're more motivated and self-regulating in their schoolwork.

Education

Remote Learning: 6 Tips to Engage and Motivate Your Child

Laura Markham Ph.D. on March 24, 2021

Research suggests ways that parents can engage and motivate children in learning, even when kids are in remote school.

Research suggests ways that parents can engage and motivate children in learning, even when kids are in remote school.

Empathy

7 Steps to Set Limits With Empathy for Teens and Preteens

Laura Markham Ph.D. on March 16, 2021

This approach makes our children better people. It makes us better people. And it creates a home with a lot less drama—and a lot more love.

This approach makes our children better people. It makes us better people. And it creates a home with a lot less drama—and a lot more love.

Punishment

How to Change Your Child's Behavior—Without Punishment

Laura Markham Ph.D. on March 14, 2021

Connection and compassion will transform any relationship.

Connection and compassion will transform any relationship.

Parenting

How to Structure Special Time With Your Child

Laura Markham Ph.D. on March 11, 2021

What's so special about special time? It transforms our relationship with our child. And since that relationship is 90% of our parenting, you can't get more special than that.

What's so special about special time? It transforms our relationship with our child. And since that relationship is 90% of our parenting, you can't get more special than that.

Laughter

What's Special About Special Time

Laura Markham Ph.D. on March 10, 2021

Just show up and give your child the tremendous gift of being seen and acknowledged.

Just show up and give your child the tremendous gift of being seen and acknowledged.

Parenting

What's So Special About 'Special Time'?

Laura Markham Ph.D. on March 9, 2021

Special time is the antidote for parents and children, an essential nutrient that heals the upsets and disconnections of daily modern life.

Special time is the antidote for parents and children, an essential nutrient that heals the upsets and disconnections of daily modern life.

Family Dynamics

Keeping Siblings from Each Other's Throats During Quarantine

Laura Markham Ph.D. on March 8, 2021

We can get through this hard time in a way that makes us stronger: With love.

We can get through this hard time in a way that makes us stronger: With love.