When Children Hit

When Children Hit Question: Hello. I have two of your books and neither quite addresses our issue. On the topic of hitting you say: “When your preschooler hits you, decide what you will do instead of trying to control your child. Let her know that every time she hits you, you will leave the room […]

Logical Consequences and Avoiding Morning Hassles

Logical Consequences and Avoiding Morning Hassles Question Answered Via the Positive Discipline Podcast. I have answered some questions via Podcasts. Please let me know if you are willing to have your question answered this way. I can’t promise to get to all of them, but will certainly try. (So many wonderful opportunities, and not enough time.) […]

Bullying Siblings

Bullying Siblings Question: I have 3 boys. The oldest is 12, the middle 11 and youngest 7. The middle child has ADHD. My oldest son is a bully to the middle child. My question is how do I handle my sons when they are bickering in front of their friends outside? For instance, my oldest […]

Rude and Defiant

Rude and Defiant Question: My name is Vicky and I am a mother of an 11-year-old going on 12 son. This has been the most trying year I have had with him. He is rude when speaking to others, swears, defiant, disruptive, and argumentative, and lies. He has escalated this year to the point that […]

Step Parenting Blues

Step Parenting Blues Question: I just read your response to the lady regarding her partners five-year-old son. And, after reading the article by Mike Brock on Relational Parenting, his words confirmed for me what I have been feeling for a long time… we are not being good models of behavior with the constant, and sometimes […]

Is Positive Discipline Permissive?

Is Positive Discipline Permissive? Question: I love your books! They have taught me so much about parenting in a non putative way, very different from the way I was raised. I have two daughters 12 and 14, and my husband has two sons 11 and 15. He has an authoritarian mindset when it comes to […]

Three-year-old Love/Hate Relationship with Baby Brother

Three-year-old Love/Hate Relationship with Baby Brother Question: I have a 3-year-old daughter and 7-month-old son. Until now my daughter has been really gentle with the baby but in the last couple of weeks she has been “testing” out being a bit rougher with him (pinching his cheeks, hugging him a bit too tight, giving him […]

I See It, I Want It, I Take It

I See It, I Want It, I Take It Question: My three year old started preschool last year at age 2 and with that came the “take it” behavior. I see it, I want it, and I take it no matter who is playing with it. She will play tug of war with her friends […]

When is a Child Old Enough to Choose?

When is a Child Old Enough to Choose? Question: Hi Dr. Nelsen, We seem to be having morning issues with my three-year-old daughter. She wanted to wear a dress this morning even though it was a little chilly out. My husband put pants and a shirt on her and she was practically convulsing on the […]

Lazy Child or Normal Child?

Lazy Child or Normal Child? Question: Dear Jane, I am an American living in Germany and have been buying your books. They are great books with wonderful ideas, and I have had some success using the suggestions. Unfortunately real life cannot be completely covered in a book, and so I have a question. I have […]