Where Can I Learn Good Parenting Skills?

             Parents can strengthen their families, communities, and nations by learning new parenting skills. This applies to parents with children of all ages – from newborn to adults with families of their own. When we learn how to parent children with respect and love, we learn skills that can improve all relationships.

            There are many parenting books on the market. Some of them were written by trained professionals, while others are written by people who are passionate about their way of parenting. I have studied numerous books in various parenting classes, some of which are as follows. I like some of the ideas and suggestions better than others. It is important that parents adapt the ideas and suggestions to their own family situation because each child is a different person with their own needs and desires.

Raising an Emotionally Intelligent Child – The Heart of Parenting by John Gottman. Gottman is a professor of psychology at the University of Washington and a recognized expert in parenting. He wrote the book for “parents of children of all ages” and claims that his ideas “will enrich the bonds between parent and child and contribute immeasurably to the development of a generation of emotionally healthy adults.” The description of his book is as follows:

Intelligence that comes from the heart: Every parent knows the importance of equipping children with the intellectual skills they need to succeed in school and life. But children also need to master their emotions. Raising an Emotionally Intelligent Child is a guide to teaching children to understand and regulate their emotional world. And as acclaimed psychologist and researcher John Gottman shows, once they master this important life skill, emotionally intelligent children will enjoy increased self-confidence, greater physical health, better performance in school, and healthier social relationships. Raising an Emotionally Intelligent Child will equip parents with a five-step “emotion coaching” process that teaches how to: [1] Be aware of a child’s emotions. [2] Recognize emotional expression as an opportunity for intimacy and teaching. [3] Listen empathetically and validate a child’s feelings. [4] Label emotions in words a child can understand.

[5] Help a child come up with an appropriate way to solve a problem or deal with an upsetting issue or situation.

            No-Drama Discipline – The Whole-Brain Way to Calm the Chaos and Nurture Your Child’s Developing Mind by Daniel J. Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson. Siegel is a clinical professor of psychiatry at the UCLA School of Medicine and author of numerous books. Bryson is a pediatric and adolescent psychotherapist, international speaker, and the co-author with Siegel of this book and The Whole-Brain Child.

The pioneering experts behind the bestselling The Whole-Brain Child now explore the ultimate child-raising challenge: discipline. Highlighting the fascinating link between a child’s neurological development and the way a parent reacts to misbehavior, No-Drama Discipline provides an effective, compassionate road map for dealing with tantrums, tensions, and tears – without causing a scene. Inside this sanity-saving guide you’ll discover: [1] strategies that help you identify your own discipline philosophy – and master the best methods to communicate the lessons you are trying to impart; [2] facts on child brain development – and what kind of discipline is most appropriate and constructive at all ages and stages; [3] the way to calmly and lovingly connect with a child – no matter how extreme the behavior – while still setting clear and consistent limits; [4] tips for navigating your child through a tantrum to achieve insight, empathy, and repair; [5] twenty discipline mistakes even great parents make – and how to stay focused on the principles of whole-brain parenting and discipline techniques.

            Raising a Secure Child – How Circle of Security Parenting can help you nurture your child’s attachment, emotional resilience, and freedom to explore by Kent Hoffman, Glen Cooper, and Bert Powell. The authors are all psychotherapists and share a clinical practice. They devote their time and energy to “translating complex developmental research and clinical insight into straightforward and accessible guidance for individuals and families.” The description for this book is as follows.

Today’s parents are constantly pressured to be perfect. But in striving to do everything right, we risk missing what children really need for lifelong emotional security. Now the simple, powerful “Circle of Security” parenting strategies that Kent Hoffman, Glen Cooper, and Bert Powell have taught thousands of families are available in self-help form for the first time. You will learn: [1] How to balance being nurturing and protective with promoting your child’s independence; [2] What emotional needs a toddler or older child may be expressing through difficult behavior; [3] How our own upbringing affects your parenting style – and what you can do about it. Filled with vivid stories and unique practical tools, this book puts the keys to healthy attachment within everyone’s reach – self-understanding, flexibility, and the willingness to make and learn from mistakes. Self-assessment checklists can be downloaded and printed for ease of use.

            It is never too late for parents and grandparents to learn new parenting skills. The above- described books contain some ways for parents to improve their parenting. With families falling apart all over the world, there is much need for improved parenting skills that can strengthen marriages, families, communities, and nations.