anyone else late to the party?

ambrvan · April 2015

I've been around TB for a few years, but I've mostly been on Blended Families. I have a DS (5) and SD (9 on May 2nd). To be honest, I've often scoffed at what I thought was "attachment parenting." I didn't really give much thought to"parenting style" or theories, but I've found that my parenting style is becoming increasingly authoritarian.

And I don't like it. I don't like the future I see for my kids, myself, or my relationship with them. Although I love my children, the joy I once had as a mother has been lost in the sea of power struggles and my need to control everything (yes, I have been to therapy). No, I'm not saying that I'm ruining my kids' lives our that we're in trouble, but I am saying that I would like to be better for and give better to my children.

I'm currently listening to Dr. Laura Markham's book in audio format, "Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids," and I started reading a bit on AhaParenting.com. I'm anxious to try creating better connections with my children.

If anyone has any other book recommendations, please share.

pixieprincss · April 2015

Welcome! My own children are still quite young, but I use AP ideas in my work with kids through 6th grade and find positive disciple to work well across the board. I love ahaparenting! Some great reads for you kids' ages:

Top 2:

How to Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk

Hold Onto To Your Kids

Others:

Siblings Without Rivalry

Playful Parenting

Unconditional Parenting

Raising Our Children, Raising Ourselves (Sometimes the tone of this book bugs me, but the premise is very much about how parenting helps us heal our own childhood wounds and there are gems in it)

WDDCH · April 2015

It's never too late to change and better ourselves. I can be authoritative as well. Wandered in here tonight and saw your post - I can definitely relate.

Just wanted to applaud you for taking steps to build a happier home. It won't always be easy, especially when trying to break the habits of how things have been dealt with in the past.

My husband told me this week, "I just want to be a chill parent. I don't want to flip over the small things or even the big things. I want to handle it all better and more calmly!" Me too! Glad I found this board.