empathetic parenting
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Using Positive Discipline Instead of Scolding Your Child
Did you know that lecturing or scolding undermines the effectiveness of our parenting? Find out why as well as how to raise your children well without the use of scolding, chastizing or lecturing. I am a recovering serial lecturer. For the longest time, I tried to evoke a sense of urgency and good behavior in […] Continue reading
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Highly Sensitive Child Challenges: Supporting Your Child
Is your child emotional, reactive, shy, empathic, cautious, and sensitive to sensory stimuli? If so, you may have a highly sensitive child. Sensitivity is too often seen as a negative thing. “Stop crying,” “You’re being silly,” and “Just go and play” are phrases that highly sensitive kids hear all too often. But what if we […] Continue reading
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The best consequences for kids drop threats and problem-solve instead
Research has shown certain consequences for kids undermine the goal of raising good children. However, natural and logical consequences are invaluable ways to teach children. Learn more below. First, there was a pop! Then a snap! My ears were already ringing from screaming and now it sounded like a cap gun was going off around me. […] Continue reading
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Brilliant Tips to Ease Separation Anxiety in Children
Separation anxiety is so hard on parents and children. For a parent, it is brutal to see your child devastated. Then leaving them in that state of devastation feels terrible. Fortunately, there are powerful strategies that will help your child feel empowered when you’re gone. Whether you’re dealing with separation anxiety in children who are […] Continue reading
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Research says this is how to use positive parenting from a position of strength
To many, positive parenting, also known as authoritative parenting, sounds like a misnomer. If you take away punishment, how will a child know who is in charge? Find out how to execute positive parenting from a position of strength and raise well-adjusted, responsible children. Last week, a question popped up in the Parenting from the […] Continue reading
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Front-Loading, Redirection & Connection: 3 powerful strategies for your strong-willed toddler
All toddlers can be willful and even difficult. However, you may find you’re parenting a strong-willed toddler if your child tends to be prone to power struggles, is highly emotional and is determined to a fault. Fortunately, there are three powerful positive parenting strategies that will improve cooperation and calm tantrums in the most […] Continue reading
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Parenting a Strong-Willed, Highly Sensitive Child: What You Need to Know
Parenting a strong-willed, highly sensitive child is challenging. We want to preserve their spirit while effectively parenting them. This is how to work with your child’s temperament, improve cooperation and celebrate who they are. If you have a highly sensitive child, people may describe them as being an “old soul,” intuitive, and shy. My daughter […] Continue reading
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How to stop backtalk and restore peace in your family
For a parent, one of the most humbling and frustrating experiences is when your child backtalks or disrespects you. This powerful approach is rooted in positive discipline and will calm the most disrespectful behaviour and stop backtalk. Get a printable cheat sheet with this technique at the bottom of the post. There are times parenting […] Continue reading
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How Social Stories Help Children Who Are Struggling
Find out why social stories are an incredible tool for parenting young children. Find examples and a formula. Perfect for positive discipline. In the space of a couple of weeks, my five-year-old’s behaviour went from thoughtful and kind to unmanageably difficult. I’m used to a girl who, when I ask for help, leaps up to […] Continue reading
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This is the Crucial Difference Between Positive and Permissive Parenting
To the unknowing eye, positive parenting can be mistaken for permissive parenting. This is because positive parents forgo the use of punishment and listen to their children’s feelings. Here is the crucial difference between the two parenting styles. My daughter and oldest son were in the throes of a heated argument when a store attendant […] Continue reading
About Me
Hi, I’m Alana. When I’m not nursing cold, stale coffee, I usually can be found with the baby on my hip, barefoot, and racing after my two older kids.
Thanks to a degree in psychology and a free-range childhood backing onto an expansive evergreen forest, positive parenting and play-based learning are my passions.