Positive Parenting

Have you ever wondered, “What is positive parenting?”

Are you looking for positive parenting solutions?

In this article about positive parenting strategies, you’ll discover…

• The definition of positive parenting.
• The differences between authoritative and authoritarian parenting.
• Positive parenting books.
• Video about other parenting styles.
• Podcast episodes about parenting.

Learn about our coaching services for homeschooling parents.

Other Names for Positive Parenting

Positive parenting can go by a few different names. The terms below are frequently used for this style of parenting.

• Authoritative parenting
• Gentle parenting
• Peaceful parenting
• Attachment parenting
• Positive discipline
• Mindful parenting
• Conscious parenting

What Is Positive Parenting?

During our HomeSchool ThinkTank Parenting Podcast interview, parenting coach Sarah R. Moore defined positive parenting in the following way.

“Positive parenting is basically parenting with the good of the relationship in mind. Positive parenting is not looking for short-term quick fixes. It is not about getting kids to do things. Because all of those things that I mentioned at the beginning of the call are about power and control.

With positive parenting, we know that there is no place for power and control in a healthy relationship. And as I mentioned, this is not about being permissive.

This is not about having no boundaries or no guidelines, but this is working alongside our children to create win-win situations. I always say it’s never us against our child.

It’s us and our child against the problem we’re trying to solve.”

Dandelion Seeds Positive Parenting founder and parenting coach, Sarah R Moore. Interview on the HomeSchool ThinkTank Parenting Podcast.

Parenting Principles to Live By

Benefits of Positive Parenting

When you use positive parenting techniques, you’ll experience some of the following benefits.

• Raising kids with joy and fulfillment – theirs and ours.
• Finding positive ways to teach life lessons.
• Ending power struggles.
• Influencing kids’ behavior for the better.
• Your children will be happier and more successful than they would be if parented differently.

Authoritative vs Authoritarian Parenting

Authoritative and authoritarian parenting styles are nearly the opposite.

• An authoritative parenting style is good for children.
• Authoritarian parenting can have negative consequences for the child.

What is Authoritarian Parenting?

In our interview, Sarah R. Moore shared the following. Authoritarian parenting is, “It’s the my way or the highway, you must do what I say because I’m the adult type parenting.” An authoritarian parent is overly strict and demanding and lacks compassion and warmth in their interactions with the child.

Results of an Authoritarian Parenting Style

Science shows that an authoritarian approach to parenting is detrimental to children. The “My way or the highway” approach to parenting can lead to the following results.

• Aggressiveness
• Socially awkward
• Extremely shy
• Indecisiveness
• Difficulty managing anger
• Lack of independent thinking

What is Authoritative Parenting?

Parents who are authoritative guide their children through conversation and explain why they have certain rules. While a parent may or may not adjust their viewpoint, they will listen to their child and try to understand their perspective.

According to the American Psychological Association, “Authoritative parenting is nurturing, responsive, and supportive, yet sets firm limits for their children.”

Results of an Authoritative Parenting Style

• Close parent-child relationships
• High emotional intelligence
• Self-regulated
• Assertive rather than aggressive behavior
• Socially responsible
• Self-confident
• High self-esteem

Video with Examples of 5 Parenting Styles and Their Effects on Life

The video below is an overview of five different parenting styles. Most parents will likely blend styles from the various parenting categories. Watch the video to see examples of each parenting style.

1. Authoritarian parenting
2. Permissive parenting
3. Authoritative parenting
4. Neglectful parenting
5. Over-Involved parenting

Authoritative, Confident, Positive Parenting with Parenting Coach, Sarah R. Moore

“I wanted to have a relationship with my child where we would actually like each other and we would naturally want to collaborate with each other and cooperate with each other because we’ve got a good relationship.

It doesn’t mean we have no boundaries.

It doesn’t mean that I’m permissive.

It’s not some of the fallacies that people sometimes think of when they think – not authoritarian.

Instead it’s authoritative, confident parenting, but from a place of connection and love.”

Sarah R. Moore on the HomeSchool ThinkTank Parenting Podcast.

Positive Parenting Tips and Strategies

These suggestions were shared on the HomeSchool ThinkThinkTank Parenting Podcast by Sarah R. Moore.

• See the Child. See the child means looking at the child’s experience. Put yourself in their shoes. Understand that what’s going on for your child internally may or may not have anything to do with your request.
• Help Your Child Get Back Into Their Body. For example, if a child is face down and upset on the couch, you might go over and rub their back for a second. This might help your child get in touch with their senses.
• Offer a Hand. With a young child, you might offer to hold your child’s hand on the way to where you need your child to go.
• What Does Your Child Need Right Now? It’s about seeing what your child needs instead of what you are trying to accomplish. Rather than being egocentric or self-centered, consider what’s going on for your child.
• Reconnect with Yourself. Find something within yourself to feel peaceful, reconnect with yourself, and approach the situation calmly. This allows you to approach a situation in a peaceful manner rather than a controlling manner.

Positive Parenting Podcast Episodes on the HomeSchool ThinkTank Parenting Podcast!

• Positive Parenting with Sarah R Moore
• Listening to Your Kids
• Playing In the Rain with Dad
• Connecting with Your Kids
• Introverts & Extroverts In Your Family
• How to Stay Calm & Stop Yelling
• Make Transition Times Easier for You & Your Kids
• Connection Before Curriculum: Lessons from Homeschooling My Kids

Neuroplasticity: Rewiring Your Brain

What is neuroplasticity? It’s basically the brain’s ability to rewire itself. While this can happen involuntarily, you can also take steps to rewire your brain with intention.

Have you gotten into the habit of yelling, of controlling, of snapping, or whatever it is that becomes our default wiring?

This is directly related to neuroscience.

To some degree you are not even responsible for it because it is simply the wiring that your brain tells your body and your mouth to do when met with certain situations. 

Now, thanks to the brilliant concept of neuroplasticity, we can rewire our brains.

Sarah R. Moore on the HomeSchool ThinkTank Parenting Podcast.

Homeschool & Parent Coaching

How to Rewire Your Brain

Hi! My name is Jackie, and I’m the founder of HomeSchool ThinkTank and host of the HomeSchool ThinkTank Parenting Podcast. As a homeschooling mom, I’ve had times when I’ve struggled with parenting. However, I’ve overcome most of these challenges. How? I’ve read parenting books, taken classes, and learned how to manage my mind better.

Now I help parents like you with everyday problems and challenges. Yes. I’m a homeschool consultant and can give you the homeschooling guidance you need. However, I’m also a certified life coach.

If you want to be a better parent, the number one thing you can do is learn how to manage your mind better. As a certified life coach, I teach parents how to manage their minds better. The skills you develop with me will improve your parenting.

When you work with me, I can teach you how to manage your mind, rewire your brain, and improve your parenting. This is exactly what I did for myself, and it’s made me a much better parent.

Learn more about my coaching services here.

Parenting Books You Might Like

Whether you have a challenging child or an easier child, these books will help you improve your parenting skills.

• Brainstorm: The Power and Purpose of the Teenage Brain by Daniel Siegel.
• The Difficult Child: Expanded and Revised Edition by Stanley Turecki and Leslie Tonner.
• The Explosive Child: A New Approach for Understanding and Parenting Easily Frustrated, Chronically Inflexible Children by Ross W Greene PhD.
• Free to Learn: Why Unleashing the Instinct to Play Will Make Our Children Happier, More Self-Reliant, and Better Students for Life by Peter Gray.
• How Children Succeed: Grit, Curiosity, and the Hidden Power of Character by Paul Tough.
• How to Raise an Adult: Break Free of the Overparenting Trap and Prepare Your Kid for Success by Julie Lythcott-Haims
• How to Talk so Little Kids Will Listen: A Survival Guide to Life with Children Ages 2-7 (The How To Talk Series) by Joanna Faber and Julie King.
• Mindsets for Parents: Strategies to Encourage Growth Mindsets in Kids by Mary Cay Ricci, Margaret Lee.
• Parenting from the Inside Out: How a Deeper Self-Understanding Can Help You Raise Children Who Thrive by Daniel J. Siegel and Mary Hartzell.
• Parenting the New Teen in the Age of Anxiety: A Complete Guide to Your Child’s Stressed, Depressed, Expanded, Amazing Adolescence by Dr. John Duffy
• Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids: How to Stop Yelling and Start Connecting by Dr. Laura Markham
• The Power of Showing Up: How Parental Presence Shapes Who Our Kids Become and How Their Brains Get Wired by Dr. Daniel Siegel.
• Raising Resilience The Wisdom and Science of Happy Families and Thriving Children by Dr. Christopher Willard.
• The Self-Driven Child: The Science and Sense of Giving Your Kids More Control Over Their Lives by Ned Johnson and William Stixrud, Ph.D.
• Simple Happy Parenting: The Secret of Less for Calmer Parents and Happier Kids by Denaye Barahona.
• Untangled: Guiding Teenage Girls Through the Seven Transitions into Adulthood by Lisa Damour.
• The Whole-Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child’s Developing Mind by Daniel J. Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson.

Parenting is the cornerstone of homeschooling your kids!

Click here to discover more parenting and homeschooling books.