Conscious Discipline: A Pathway to Emotional Wellbeing

When your preschooler refuses to get ready for bed, how do you respond? What do you do when your 8-year-old is afraid to go to school because of being teased on the playground? Maybe you’re dealing with stress of your own and want to throw your hands up and shout, “You’d better get ready by the time I count to 3, or else!” But, as you probably have learned, matching your child’s emotional level only escalates the situation. Fortunately, there’s a clear alternative available to you in the Conscious Discipline program developed by Dr. Becky Bailey.   Used by parents and educators around the country, conscious discipline emphasizes the importance of first making a connection with your child and consciously bringing your own emotional level down so your child can do the same. This week on Mom Enough, Education Coordinator Sara Reichstadt and early childhood educator Katie Xiong from Kinderberry Hill Child Development Centers join Marti & Erin to talk about their experience using Conscious Discipline. Tune in to learn how this evidence-based approach promotes optimal social-emotional health and wellbeing, both for children and the adults who care for them.   WHAT MIGHT YOU DO TO GET STARTED WITH CONSCIOUS DISCIPLINE? Think of a recent situation in which your child was emotionally upset or engaged in behavior that triggered you to feel emotionally unregulated. How did you respond? In what ways could you have established a connection with your child in that difficult moment? What could you have said and done to bring the emotional level down for yourself and your child?    WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT CONSCIOUS DISCIPLINE & KINDERBERRY HILL? ❉ KINDERBERRY HILL. All of Kinderberry Hill’s childcare and education centers are still open and following guidelines to keep children and their families safe during the pandemic. Kinderberry Hill also has great resources on their website…check out their suggestion to paint with water!   ❉ CONSCIOUS DISCIPLINE. Learn more about Conscious Discipline -- a powerful approach to create connection, safety, and a problem-resolution focus at home.   ❉ POSITIVE DISCIPLINE: A CONVERSATION WITH AUTHOR DR. JANE NELSEN. Dr. Jane Nelsen, author of the well-known Positive Discipline book series (and a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother!) helps us move beyond a quick reaction to misbehavior, take a moment to consider the meaning of our child’s behavior and remember to help our child maintain a sense of connection and belonging.