Alternatives to Punishment

Better behavior without punishment is possible. It takes commitment, connection and a focus on cooperation. Children naturally follow the guidance of those they trust. Children also want to learn and grow, especially when they feel connected to you. The alternatives to punishment you find in this section will focus on real solutions and learning tools, to help children feel more connected, capable and cooperative.

Why take a positive approach to discipline and find alternatives to punishment? Studies show that children that are raised with inflexible, punishment based discipline have lower self-esteem and struggle with making good decisions on their own. The alternatives to punishment in this section are all aimed at helping you find the confidence you need when setting limits and boundaries. And keeping a loving, respectful, thriving relationship with your child.

Positive Parenting: Better Behavior Without Punishment Is Possible

by Ariadne Brill

Inside: Using positive parenting makes it possible to encourage better behavior without resorting to punishment and yelling. A few years ago, my 3 year old daughter ripped her brothers’ picture. She did it on purpose and with the intent to get back at her brother. Many parents believe that such “acting out” needs to be managed…

3 Examples of Moving From Compliance to Cooperation

by Ariadne Brill

Using compliance as a parenting strategy commonly involves conflicts, power struggles and threats of losing a privilege, punishment or bribery. Many parents want and expect compliance because they are the parent or “things need to get done” or “time is of the essence” or safety is a concern. However, compliance often comes at the expense…

Helping Your Toddler Self Regulate and Learn to Manage Anger and Aggression

by Ariadne Brill

Inside: Understand the feelings behind aggressive behaviors and help your toddler manage big meltdowns and fits of anger. On a sunny, beautiful morning, Mariah was on the floor, in a pile of tears. Her little hands stretched wide reaching desperately for Jenny. More accurately, reaching for the apple and egg in Jenny’s hands. Because for…

Enabling Children To Express All Of Their Emotions.

by Positive Parenting Connection

In an attempt to prevent a scene, parents use all the tricks to coerce their child in to following their instructions. They bribe and barter, they punish and threaten, or perhaps they simply whisper quietly and tell them “You’re okay,there’s no need to cry.” Sometimes these tricks work, though often what materialises is an even bigger outburst, either there and then, or saved up ready to be released in an explosion at a later time.

Encouraging Better Behavior When Your Child Acts Out

by Ariadne Brill

How to help a child who is acting out by setting clear, kind limits and offering positive guidance. Walking out of school, I noticed my son had an envelope in his hand. As he handed it to me with a shy but determined smile he said: “Mom, this is for you. I wrote you an an…

What You Need To Know To Navigate Tantrums Beyond Toddlerhood

by Ariadne Brill

Tantrums after the toddler years are normal and happen because of emotional overload. Frustration, anger, disappointment and sadness, can lead to a child having a tantrum at any age. Parents can help children manage anger, tantrums and intense emotions using positive parenting tools.

Positive Parenting Tools: Time In vs. Time Out

by Ariadne Brill

Most parents that use time out do so with good intentions and sometimes, a time out can give parents and children a chance to take a break from each other to cool off. However, non punitive parenting tools such as Time In are really effective in helping children develop life long skills such as regulating emotions and making decisions. It’s a mistaken but deeply ingrained notion that children need to feel bad about their behavior in order to change it. Learn more about time in and time out.

Help Siblings Get Along With These Five Positive Parenting Tools

by Positive Parenting Connection

Inside: Five Positive Tools for Helping Siblings Solve Conflicts and Get Along The following is adapted from Rebecca’s new book, The Positive Parenting Workbook. This inspiring and inviting guide walks readers through the process of charting a new path toward greater emotional awareness, clear communication, and joyful parenting! Filled with encouraging prompts and plenty of…

Six Super Helpful Ways To Keep Calm and Deal With Defiance

by Ariadne Brill

These Six Positive Parenting strategies can help you respond to your child when they are behaving in defiant, disrespectful or unhelpful ways. Children often act out when they are lost, fearful and in need of guidance. A child that is being defiant needs to reconnect with you and find his way back to calm. And until…

Positive Parenting: How To Encourage Children to Follow Your Guidance

by Ariadne Brill

Skip time out and other hurtful “discipline” techniques: Children learn right from wrong, not because they were sent to the corner alone, but because they begin to understand expectations and situations, and because they have enough information that will ultimately help them make better decisions.

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