The Gentle Discipline Book: How to raise co-operative, polite and helpful children

by Sarah Ockwell-Smith

No real learning takes place when children are disciplined using rewards; the child is simply complying because they want what is on offer. They are not learning right from wrong or becoming a better person.

Effort is so much more important than achievement. Praising effort and focusing on what the child has learned helps them to develop a growth mindset

When they have a meltdown they are saying, ‘I love you. I feel safe with you. Thank you for letting me be myself.’

Listen earnestly to anything your children want to tell you, no matter what. If you don’t listen eagerly to the little stuff when they are little, they won’t tell you the big stuff when they are big, because to them all of it has always been big stuff.

you cannot gently discipline your child if you are not disciplined enough to take care of yourself.