WELL PARENT | Do Positive Parenting Techniques Actually Work?

Parenting without rewards, bribes, nagging, yelling or taking away screen time? Is it even possible? Many parents hear about Positive Parenting or Positive Discipline and think 'that would never work for my kid'.

Well Parent has been running Parenting with Positive Discipline parenting workshops in Beijing and online since 2019. We asked some of the participants about the impact that this course has had on their family life. Thank you to all the people who shared.

  REBECCA H - MOM  

“I absolutely recommend positive discipline to EVERY parent….and grandparent, and aunt and uncle and teacher and caregiver. Anyone who has, or works with, a child. If we could all be united in the way we educate and communicate with our children - wow! What a gift to the future!”

“My communication with my children has become more consistent. When I’m facing challenging behavior, I try to ask myself what my childs needs are, and how I can help him, rather than correct him. One of the biggest changes for me is that I feel more positive about myself and I am coming to terms with the fact that I’m not a perfect parent.” 

  DANIELA - MOM OF TWO  

“Very authentic. I recommend this course to parents all the time! This is exactly the practical advice I had been looking for. I knew where I wanted to be, but had no idea how to get there. I just wish I had known it form the start.”

EDUARDO SANCHEZ - DAD

“I would definitely recommend this to other parents. It will show you a different way of communicating with your kids and it will help build and nurture an environment where everyone is treated with dignity and respect”

  FRANCESCA - MOM OF TWO BOYS 

"I was at a time in my life when I felt I could only scream and couldn’t relate or connect with my kids anymore. I was constantly hearing myself ordering the kids around and losing control if things were not going as planned. I was going to sleep at night thinking how badly I handled the situations, or feeling guilty and ashamed because I punished my kids. I was asking myself why does everything need to be so difficult and stressful, even the smallest tasks to get out the house to go to school?

So when I first heard of Rebecca’s workshop on Positive Discipline, I thought that’s it, I’ve got to try it.

Rebecca helped us navigate many aspects of dealing with kids in a kind and firm way which is so much better and more effective than the screaming and the punishments that I was using before. Through the role play we did in the workshop I finally got a glimpse about how my kids may be feeling when we fight or use a harsh tone.

I learned to connect with them before any correction taking place and to treat them with respect, as you would with any adult in your life.

Positive Discipline has many effective tools: routine charts being one of these. We were able to create it together with our kids and to implement it every morning to get out of the house, efficiently and quickly. I am so grateful for that.

Positive Discipline has helped us to build more trust between us (the parents) and our kid. As a result I can see my eldest son being more playful and relaxed around me, coming to me to talk more, and share his ideas about the things he would like to do during his time with me.

He’s still fighting with his little brother and having his tantrums, but we have learnt to deal with them, and we go through the process of validating the feelings he is having in the moment, recognizing there are no “bad” feelings.

What I loved the most about the workshop was the great feeling of meeting people every week that were experiencing the same kind of issues and problems as me. There was a community feel of not being alone, and we would support each other during the session and in the WeChat group during the hardest times at home.

The Parents Helping Parents part of the session was really helpful. One parent or couple would share their challenge and all the other parents would brainstorm about possible Positive Discipline tools and solutions. This helped me a lot to share the most difficult moments and challenges that we face every day as parents.

Rebecca was there to help and guide us. She has been so resourceful, kind, and patient, to explain and provide many examples to understand better our kids’ behaviors and the Positive Discipline approach. She kept us focused and motivated in this difficult and rewarding journey.

I am inspired by Rebecca’s way of dealing with what seemed problems to me, for her, were more opportunities to learn, and I will always cherish this positive attitude towards my kids and our way of parenting.

I would definitely recommend taking this workshop together with your partner or spouse, it helps a lot to be on the same page when implementing new tools with kids. I want to thank Rebecca for this experience, my family is more relaxed, and we are laughing more and more!"

  HEATHER - MOM OF 3  

“Having the opportunity to learn better ways to communicate with my children and watching the positive results is priceless!”

  PAULINE - MOM OF 2  

"I can not recommend this course highly enough! I just finished 6 weeks and WOW I am overwhelmed and flipping empowered now! It's hard work but the fruits are worth it! ❤️❤️❤️"

  CONOR - DAD OF A 'SPIRITED' 3 YEAR OLD  

"From the very first session, I was able to learn and discover new techniques to better engage with my young daughter on her level.  Learning the theme of the course “kind and firm,” gave me the courage and resolve to know when to hold the line but deliver the message in an empathetic manor. 

Parents will be given “Parenting Tool cards,” mechanisms specifically catered to help with a wide range of behavioral issues.  Rebecca explained how to identify the messages hidden underneath our children’s behaviour and therefore be able to better diagnosis the real issues at hand. 

In her weekly summation, Rebecca would employ “Parents Helping Parents” where each parent had the opportunity to raise specific issues they had dealt with during the week and the group brainstormed possible solutions.

Since taking the course, our relationship with our daughter has only strengthened and I believe she feels more comfortable expressing herself to us with honesty and trust.  You will find quickly you are not alone in your struggles and make some new friends in the process :)

I would highly recommend Rebecca Archer’s “Positive Discipline” parenting course to anyone with young children."

  KOKO - PARENT & EARLY CHILDHOOD TEACHER  

“Exploring the different ways we interact with children really made me start thinking about how it impacts them. The strategies and communication we learned makes children feel they are greatly respected. It is not only a simple behavior management tool, but also a great strategy to enhance children’s sense of security, self-esteem and sense of confidence.” 

  MIRANDA, MOM OF 2  

“Positive Parenting exceeded our expectations. We had been struggling to find techniques that would work with our 8-year-old. It was important for us to get the yelling under control. The course allowed us to see the world from our child’s viewpoint, understand what is going on inside their head, and how to respond to his reactions to be the most effective parent. We have implemented many of the tools taught “connection before correction" and "focusing on solutions instead of blame”. The class and exercises were very engaging which gave us the practical tools to implement the concepts and come out with a whole different perspective that has definitely shaped our relationship with our child for the better.  We are also now better able to avoid escalations or quickly defuse them when they do arise. Our parenting style has become more consistently mindful. This course has made a significant difference to our home. We encourage others to try it!

You really have given our family the best gift ever, I wish we had done it sooner!! We can't thank you enough for your shared knowledge & experience.”

  ANONYMOUS PARENT  

“The most effective part was the role plays. Through the role play I could set myself in the shoes of a child and feel what they would feel - it enhanced my experience and helped me to memorize the principles.

I realized that my old style of parenting ( blaming, shaming, shouting) was really not respectful to my children. It was really eye-opening to learn the positive discipline way, which is encouraging and supporting. Now every misbehavior is a learning opportunity for our family.

Many things have changed in our home. I am now much more relaxed and I feel like I enjoy my children more. Since I started to empower them by asking for solutions they behave much better. Now I ask my children for their suggestions for solving the problems we are having and their solutions can be pretty good! We hold a weekly family meeting and they are very keen in participating, they proposed to be in charge of preparing the dessert as well, on rotation.

Of course is still a work in progress, it’s a long journey and arguments still happen, but overall we are committed to stay respectful as a family.”

  TESTIMONIES ABOUT THE FACILITATOR  

  REBECCA H  

"I would absolutely recommend Rebecca as a facilitator. Not only is she a competent and knowledgable instructor, she also has a wonderful warmth, honesty and humor that puts everyone at ease. She created a safe space that made it easy to share and be vulnerable, and that is rare."

  ANASTASIA LUTZ  

“I honestly think Rebecca is a gem in the parenting community, she is witty and knowledgeable, never judging and always with a positive attitude. The course was very enjoyable and useful, I was so glad I did it. Rebecca is a great coach! Very passionate, patient, and dedicated to help.”

 READY TO JOIN THE NEXT SESSION?

  FOR PARENTS OF 2-10 YEAR OLDS  

6-WEEK WORKSHOP SERIES: Sunday evenings 7:30-9:30pm Beijing time

WHERE: Online on Zoom

PRICE: 1,300 RMB per person / prior participants can attend free.

EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT: Sign up before Monday 27 Feb 7:30pm and receive the course for only 1,10 RMB

  WHAT YOU’LL GET  

• 6 x weekly 2 hour workshops with 'Parents Helping Parents' problem-solving session

• Simple weekly tasks to implement in your family life

• Weekly hand out with summaries, reminders, exercises

• Private supportive WeChat community

Scan the QR code below to chat with Rebecca or to sign up.

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