What great parents do: 75 simple strategies for raising kids who thrive

Great parents do what they say they are going to do Great parents do what they know Great parents change themselves first Great parents focus near and far Great parents see parenting as a skill Great parents practice empathy Great parents watch out for "buts" Great parents respect their children's reality Great parents accept their kids just as they are Great parents avoid these toxic phrases Great parents teach kids to feel their feelings and choose their actions Great parents aren't perfect Great parents let kids make mistakes and experience failure Great parents resist the urge to "fix" feelings Great parents take ownership of their feelings Great parents acknowledge their moods and feelings Great parents pay attention Great parents cultivate self-awareness Great parents practice positive touch Great parents help kids develop positive habits Great parents distinguish between goals and methods Great parents show kids the way Great parents don't gratify behavior they don't want repeated Great parents "catch" kids being good (and tell kids specifically what they liked) Great parents discipline lovingly Great parents discipline in private Great parents avoid disciplining when tired or hungry Great parents see the goal of discipline as learning, not punishment Great parents understand that children's brains are different Great parents notice what they say and how they say it Great parents see that actions speak louder than words Great parents practice emotion coaching Great parents promote self-control Great parents view kids as little explorers and scientists Great parents give previews Great parents give kids the benefit of the doubt Great parents share their power Great parents are in charge Great parents maintain a warm and affectionate attitude Great parents treat their kids with respect, consideration, and kindness Great parents expect their kids to treat them with respect, consideration, and kindness

Great parents rarely say "good job!" or "you are so smart!"

Great parents (mostly) avoid labels

Great parents play it straight

Great parents use scaffolding

Great parents give a reason

Great parents give fair warning

Great parents are transparent about their decision-making process

Great parents know that reasoning has its limits

Great parents harness the power of natural consequences

Great parents give speeding tickets

Great parents create speed bumps

Great parents are consistent

Great parents strive to be matter-of-fact

Great parents teach happiness habits (and also practice them)

Great parents teach kids the three Ps

Great parents protect playtime

Great parents prioritize sleep

Great parents encourage sensible risk taking

Great parents encourage their kids to "do good"

Great parents avoid power struggles

Great parents avoid reward economies

Great parents make time to give kids their full attention

Great parents take care of themselves

Great parents pivot

Great parents use placeholders

Great parents reframe

Great parents focus on the positive

Great parents can change the mood (be silly and playful)

Great parents avoid drama

Great parents stop the action

Great parents offer replays

Great parents stage rehearsals

Great parents focus on the relationship

Great parents start where they are.