Gentle Parenting Tips for Toddlers

Using Books to Start Conversations

Gentle parenting does not mean permissive parenting. Creating a  collaborative, empathetic, and respectful parent-child relationship while setting clear, firm boundaries is the foundation of  this style of parenting. The traditional concepts of reward and punishment are not used in this method, but rather behavior corrections occur through the three C's-- Communication, Consistency, and Compassion.  Discussion, redirection, and understanding childhood development help parents guide their child in developing self-awareness, understanding, and self-control. Picture books can be a great way to open the door to discussing troublesome behaviors. Below, I list a few books and the common issues that they address.

The Meanies (available for pre-order)

The Meanies (available for pre-order) discusses the common childhood impulse to blame other people or to deny troublesome behaviors. It also offers a tip to help children self-regulate impulsive behaviors like hitting or taking toys. 
This book is written in rhyme and tells the story of a young boy who blames imaginary monsters he calls the Meanies for his poor behavior. He takes a toy--> it's the Meanies. The pushes a friend--> it was the Meanies. With some guidance and self-realization, our main character realizes HE is in control of himself and he comes up with his own way to send the Meanies away for good.  This book is great for children 3-7 years old.

Children often develop fears that may be difficult for parents to explain or resolve. This book with Halloween in the title tells a cute story but has an underlying theme of 'everyone is scared of something.' Scary Halloween Costumes  offers a fun way to open up the dialogue between parents and young children about the word scary.
Millie and Jack are the main characters in this story. They are getting ready for Halloween and while Millie (the older sister) understands the word scary, Jack does not. Jack explores all the things that people in his life have declared as scary on his way to finding the perfect Halloween costume. This book is perfect for children 3-7 years old. 

Scary Halloween Costumes - Available Here

Chasing Butterflies - Available on Amazon

Separation anxiety is a common issue among young children. Reading this book, Chasing Butterflies, can help parents start the conversation with their young children about how letting go and exploring the world leads to good things. 
Some children have a hard time leaving their parents to be with other caregivers. It is tempting to sneak out of the house or building when your child is distracted, but this leads to a child becoming even more anxious and worried. Talking with your children and giving them time to adjust to new caregivers is the best way to develop trust and secure attachments. This book explains that letting go can lead to positive things is perfect for children 3-7 years old.

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Reading books with your children is a great way to start discussions about topics of concern. It's a great technique for gentle parenting! Let me know your suggestions for tackling difficult issues with your children in the comments.