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Family Matters
Editor's Note: As I was compiling this bibliography of books to promote positive parenting, my children's piano teacher called to say he was running late because of some problems with his very willful pre-schooler. He was immensely grateful when I said I had a few books to show him that might be useful. I hope that the families you work with will also find some of the books on this list helpful as they journey through various stages of child development and parenting.
Positive parenting is built on respect for children and helps develop self-esteem, inner discipline, self-confidence, responsibility, and resourcefulness. Positive parenting is also good for parents: parents feel good about parenting well. It builds a sense of dignity. Positive parenting can be learned. Understanding normal development is a first step, so that parents can distinguish common behaviors in a stage of development from "problems." Central to positive parenting is developing thoughtful approaches to child guidance that can be used in place of anger, manipulation, punishment, and rewards. Support for developing creative and loving approaches to meet special parenting challenges, such as temperament, disabilities, separation and loss, and adoption, is sometimes necessary as well. This annotated bibliography offers resources to professionals helping parents and to parents wishing to develop positive parenting skills.
There is no perfect parent. We are all human. At the same time, most parents have a desire to do their best. All parents would like to raise healthy, confident, happy children. Yet, there are times when parents are not sure how to approach a general or specific parenting issue in a way they would like, in a way that would provide clear and loving guidance while keeping the child's self-esteem intact. It is easy to react to situations and regret it later. It is easy to hurt or shame a child without meaning to. When this happens, parenting can feel frustrating and demoralizing.
Positive parenting is an approach that is built on respect for children and helps develop self-esteem, inner discipline, self-confidence, responsibility, and resourcefulness. Positive parenting is also good for parents: parents feel good about parenting well. It builds a sense of dignity. In this regard, Barbara Colorosa, author of Kids are Worth It!, offers...