Parenting Archives

Being a Supportive Parent: Importance & Benefits

What does it mean to be a supportive parent? Why is it important to be supportive? How does being a supportive parent benefit children? According to author Alfie Kohn, today’s parenting advice focuses almost exclusively on a punishment-and-reward system of discipline. Not enough attention is paid to learning how to be a supportive parent outside of disciplining kids. Keep reading for Kohn’s advice on being a supportive parent and why it’s so important.

Best Advice for New Parents: 5 Helpful Tips

Are you a new parent? What should you know about raising a child for the first time? Parenting can be difficult at times, especially for first-time parents. Luckily, many books provide the best advice for new parents to make sure they’re equipped for the challenges that are coming their way. Read below for essential tips that will make your parenting journey go smoother.

Parental Rewards and Punishments: Examples & Alternatives

What are some examples of rewards and punishments for children? Is a reward and punishment system healthy for kids? What is an effective alternative? Author Alfie Kohn says parents who mainly focus on whether or not a child is being good or bad are creating a system of rewards and punishments with potentially harmful effects on children. In Unconditional Parenting, Kohn gives examples of rewards and punishments, including why they don’t work and some alternatives. Keep reading for Kohn’s examples of rewards and punishments and what parents can do differently.

2 Ways to Promote Independence in Early Childhood

Why is promoting independence in early childhood important? What are some effective ways to promote independence? Author Alfie Kohn created his unconditional parenting technique to teach parents how unconditional acceptance leads to more emotionally stable children. While this technique is more demanding than traditional parenting, Kohn says your investment will promote independence in early childhood. Read on to learn Kohn’s two ways to promote independence in early childhood.

Rewarding Good Behavior: Is It Helping or Harming Kids?

Should you reward children’s good behavior while punishing bad behavior? Does rewarding good behavior help or harm kids in the long run? Author Alfie Kohn cautions that it’s easy for parents to forget about long-term goals when busy or overwhelmed, instead shifting their focus to whether or not a child is being “good” or “bad” at any given moment. Kohn says creating a system of rewards and punishments leads to potentially harmful outcomes in children. Read on to learn Kohn’s advice about rewarding good behavior, including his examples of rewards for children.

Does Good Discipline for Kids Mean No Punishments?

Which forms of discipline are good for children? What do experts say about punishing your kids? According to author Alfie Kohn, good discipline for children relies on unconditional support and acceptance, not rewards and punishments. Kohn’s book, Unconditional Parenting, has received praise for its rejection of mainstream parenting techniques, choosing compassion in the face of bad behavior. Keep reading to learn Kohn’s advice for learning good discipline skills that will help children, not harm them.

First-Time Parents: The Most Important Thing to Know

What is most important for first-time parents to know? What advice can you learn from research in parenting? As a first-time parent, you might feel overwhelmed by the amount of parenting advice available to you. However, author Alfie Kohn’s Unconditional Parenting book takes a simple approach to effective parenting: showing your children unconditional support, acceptance, and understanding. If you’re a first-time parent looking for proven advice, keep reading to learn Kohn’s unconditional parenting technique.

The Importance of Play in Early Childhood

What is the importance of play in early childhood? How does playtime affect a child’s focus? Stolen Focus by Johann Hari says that playtime is crucial for a child’s cognitive skills. How children spend their time contributes to rising levels of difficulty in paying attention. Learn how changing a child’s lifestyle and playtime can affect them.

Poor Parenting Skills: Here’s What Not to Do

Which parenting skills are potentially harmful to children? How does mainstream advice teach poor parenting skills? In Alfie Kohn’s book, Unconditional Parenting, he argues that mainstream parenting advice has several potentially damaging effects, even leading to poor self-esteem and depression in children. Kohn’s technique of unconditional parenting aims to make children feel more loved and accepted by their parents. Read on to find out why society may have taught you poor parenting skills and learn Kohn’s solution.

3 Good Parenting Skills Every Parent Should Know

Which good parenting skills do the greatest parents use? Of all the good parenting skills, which are most important to know? In Alfie Kohn’s book, Unconditional Parenting, he advocates for “gentle” or unconditional parenting which doesn’t rely on a system of rewards and punishments. Rather, Kohn advises that good parenting skills consist of unconditional support, acceptance, and trying to understand your children’s perspectives. Keep reading to learn the three good parenting skills every parent should know, according to Kohn.