 |
When I started taking classes at the community college there was one subject that caught my eye and reeled me in. Early Childhood. I flew through the early childhood classes soaking up everything I possibly could about kids. I studied Art for the Young Child, Language for the Young Child , Infant and Toddler Care. I took workshops, seminars and attended conferences. If it had to do with kids I was there.
All of those classes helped in my preschool teaching career and I was glad to have spent the time I had learning about kids. But it wasn’t until Big M was born that I realized just how valuable that education was. All of those tricks and techniques that had been stored away in my “I’ll need it someday file” became relevant.
As a parent, I am able to pull from this huge resource of information and experiences in just about every situation or challenge that comes along. I will admit that it has crossed my mind (and maybe my lips) that every parent should be this prepared. Wouldn’t parenting be so much easier if it was your area of study? Of course the idea that every parent would have the desire to get a degree in KIDS is just plain silly.
The lucky thing is… you don’t have to get a degree in kids to learn tricks and techniques to become a better parent. You can get the information from those who not only took the classes but have used that information with actual, real life kids.
Amanda from notjustcute.com wrote an e-book called Parenting with Positive Guidance: Building Discipline from the Inside Out. The e-book had such a great response that Amanda has decided to provide an e-course based on the book. I cannot tell you how excited I am.
I have always tried my very best to practice positive parenting and knowing just how passionate Amanda is about positive guidance I am sure her e-course will be right up my alley.
Amanda has a BA in both elementary and early childhood education. She also has 15 years of experience. That isn’t what draws me though. I like that she actually has kids. So not only does she understand the workings of kids in a classroom setting, she has tried these fabulous techniques with her own kids.
Parenting with Positive Guidance E Course
includes
~Four week video classes
~Links
~Printables
~Discussion forum
~2 free e-book (yep… including the one that was so popular 
)
Now for the fun part. Hip hip hooray!!!! Amanda has offered one of my readers… oh yeah one of YOU a chance to take her e-course for free. That means that we could take the class together. What’s more fun than that? If you just can’t wait to find out if you are the winner go ahead and click over. Registration is open!
The giveaway starts now and runs until next Saturday March 24th 6pm PST. Entry is easy. Just leave me a comment telling me what current parenting challenges you are facing.
One entry per person please.
I am being compensated for this post. All opinions are mine.
*** Update… the giveaway is closed but registration for the E Course is still open. Click here to visit Amanda Morgan – NotJustCute.***
Hi
I am a mom of a wonderful almost six year old boy and an adorable almost one year old daughter. It goes without saying that my life from morning till evening is hectic!! I find my self always rushing and in turn rushing my kids. This is more apparent of course with my son.I find my self rushing his meals, his getting dressed routine, bath time and I feel stressed if he asks ” mom please read the story again” at bed time:(..I’m thinking why can’t I just chill and take it easy. I’m so focused on getting things done that I am always in a hurry. Now how does this relate in my opinion to positive parenting? Well I think I need more time in order to be positive. Being in a hurry gets me to sometimes choose the shortest route of getting my opinion across i.e saying no or don’t or stop etc. when I wish I had the time to sit and smile and positively reinforce the good behavior I want to instill in my child. So how can I be a positive parent on the run?:)
I am a mom of 2 lovely girls. I would love to take this e-course because the ripple effects would not only be with my children but with many families I work with as a school social worker! My biggest parenting challenge right now is juggling work and family life. There always seems to be so little time to get everything accomplished in a day! I feel like my 3yr old is growing up too quickly and often takes on roles of a much older child. I am often reminding her that I am the mommy and she can go play! Would love some strategies to help with this. I don’t want to discourage her from helping and want to encourage her independance in a positive way. I also want to thank you for the bedtime suggestion. I am trying your suggestion tonight. We’ve been laying down with her for naps and bedtime for over 2 yrs now and I hope this works!
Hi there! I have 2 boys, age 5 and 2, who I absolutely adore. Probably my biggest challenge as a mommy is needing to have more discipline. I’d love to get to the point where I can be loving but also in control! I would SO love to win this! The title and description sounds like it would be right up my alley!
I’m a mother of a 2 year old, who believes she’s 6 years old! She wants to do what all the big kids (her cousins & Playgroup friends) do. Most of times, I let her do the big kid things, but I hesitate because I wonder if I’m not letting her experience being a “2 year old” and instead exposing her to too much “grown up” experiences. I’m always questioning is over exposing too much of a good thing or not. As any mother, I want to provide as much positivity in my daughter’s life….
Thank you for the opportunity to win this!
As a stay at home mother of four year old twins…I need this desperately! My biggest challenge is to keep my patience when they team up together and feel so strong. Then I loose it many times and chose the easy way of shouting to them what is not solving the situation surely on a long term so….I need this course desperately
I have also twins,almost 5 year old.Let´s get down and dirty.
Hi! I am a mom of 4 kids ( 1 boy end 3 girls ) age betwen 11 and almost 5. I think every mom (and dad ) would benefit from a positiv parenting course. At the moment I could need more of BED (balance,endurance and discipline). Well I would be thrilled to take the class together with you. Hope springs eternal!
I have three girls. The oldest two are wild and crazy and I can’t get them to do anything I want them to. I feel like I spend a lot of my day yelling, getting mad, nagging, ect. I have a hard time finding the line between love and discipline. They need both and I have a hard time giving both at the same time. Does that even make sense? Anyway, I would love to win this class!
Im a mother to 3 great kids, but my oldest almost 7 year old is a very strong willed little boy and I sometimes lose my patience and am out of ideas so I would live to learn more about positive parenting!!
I have a 3 year old son who is determined and confident. While I find this to be a great thing, I dont know how to respond when he asks me for something 50 times in a row. Like getting a bunk bed. I say no and he continues to ask. I change the subject, he keeps asking. I leave the area, he finds me and keeps asking… What do you do?
I have a great 2 year old son and am expecting a baby girl. He tells us “no” sternly a lot after we tell him to do something he doesn’t want to. He’s very sensitive so I have some trouble enforcing discipline. I know we will be experiencing a transition period soon with a new baby and would be greatful for new skills.
Thanks
I biggest challenge I am facing right now with my 3 year old is to control my actions, language and anger. She seems to pick up anything I say, do or act. Not only I have to act as a role model but also explain to her good or bad behavior without been judgmental of her actions. I know that she doesn’t intentionally mis-behave, she is just trying her increased vocabulary. How do I tell her appropriate things and tone to say things so that it doesn’t hurt an outsider or a relative. Today I was surprised when she refused to wear the clothes in got for her without even seeing what I got from her cupboard. I feel She wants to exercise her control over things. The advice and tips from this e-course will be very helpful for understanding my girl better. SOS
Mansi Shankar recently posted..1 Box, 1 Week and many ways to play
I have a 5 year old boy and 3 year old boy. My oldest has some challenges and we are constantly walking a fine line with how to discipline him, work through behaviors that he can’t truly help, to learn about himself in a positive way, while not bringing him down. In the meantime, we try to keep things as consistent as possible for an enthusiastic, energetic 3 year old! Always looking for more help and guidance from different angles of child development!
I would love to take this not only for myself and my children but for all the families I see on a weekly basis. I am a Social Worker and I work in child abuse and neglect prevention. I would like to think that I would have a ripple effect on the community. As for the class helping myself and my own family….at times I feel like I spend so much time and energy on helping other families grow and flourish my own family life is hectic and spinning out of control. Fingers crossed that I am selected
We have a 3 year-old daughter and a 2 month-old son. Our three-year-old is very active and has a strong will. I love the fact that she is always thinking, but I would like to learn how to focus on positive reinforcement of the good. Right now we seem to have one power struggle after another. Certainly, we are all still adjusting to the new baby, but I’m sure there are many ways I can improve. I want to be the best mom for my kids that I can be.
What a great contest! Sooo many of us need some extra advice or different ways to approach our kids. I have three daughters aged 8, 4 1/2, and 3 1/2. Our biggest issue is with our little ones. They are only 10 months apart (the youngest is adopted), and they are both VERY competitive with each other. It seems like everything turns into a competition or race between them and they HAVE to be the winner or things go south quickly. Obviously they both can’t be first all of the time. We’re working on taking turns and being kind and generous, but I’d love to have more tools and resources to deal with this and many other issues that result from this mindset. Thanks for the opportunity to try to win this worthy prize.
Hi! I’m a new reader! This sounds like a GREAT giveaway! I have a spirited three year old daughter. I have always try to use positive parenting strategies but I am human and sometimes find myself getting frustrated and not parenting the way I truly want (and NEED) to. Right now we are having challenges in the mornings with getting ready for school (she goes to preschool 3 days a week). She is very VERY opinionated about her clothing which we are trying to accommodate when possible but three clothing changes? REALLY? She is THREE! Ha. Anyway, thanks for the opportunity to win this great prize!
I am the mother of two; an almost 3 year old and a newborn. My challenge is managing the two, but really staying positive with my oldest. I would LOVE to take this course!
My biggest challenge is a 1-1/2 year old who always wants to be held. She is going through a phase where she wants to experience everything from a higher vantage point, and it is exhausting. =) Any ideas that would keep things positive would be great!
I am finding my biggest parenting challenge is how to extend positive parenting to my children as they become older. At 9 and 6, they are challenging me to find new ways to interact with them in a positive manner and I am feeling that I am at a loss on many days. It doesn’t help that I am a single, work at home mother with an almost non existent support system.
Not sure why my comment ended up here. Could it be moved so I can still be considered for the giveaway? Thank you.
Your comment is in the right place! Thanks for entering.
I remember this stage! Have you considered using a sling?
Thanks for the great giveaway! My biggest challenge is my own attitude. I easily lose my patience and while I try to suppress that, it’s really not fair to my child. He is a typical almost 4 year old boy and I know I’m the real challenge.
I’d love to learn how to cope better and enjoy _all_ of the time we spend together.
Hi I am a military wife and mom of a preschooler and one days away from making his entrance in this world. We are a family constantly strained by change and moving every 3 years or so. I find that as my amazing daughter gets older and constantly more vocal it is hard for our personalities to meet on the good side of life. When we do structured activities or preschool lessons it goes alright but I want us to find more success in making our personalities sit aside while we enjoy the wonderful experience of learning. I love spending time with my daughter but I know with another on the way life is going to be a balancing act and I don’t want her to get left in the shadows of learning or spending time growing. I just want to find a way to balance teaching her and work through our differences.
Mommy of three little ones — the biggest challenge is my oldest, my almost four year old. Regular four year old challenges include: bedtime, being nice to her sister, and being nice to the cats. I do plan on making some books on these topics and may contact you for advice. I’ve just discovered Positive Parenting and working on being positive — but it’s tough. I wish I was raised this way.
Where to start
I have 2- and 4-year-old boys. My younger one responds so easily to all of my “gentle/positive” discipline efforts but my older one…not so much. I feel like I need to get a better handle on the situation before we really start buckling down for homeschooling next year!!
I am a mother of a five and an eight (soon to be nine) year old, and an assistant preschool teacher. Although I’m only an assistant, I spend a lot of time doing actual teaching and dealing with a variety of issues. Every child has different needs and wants, and different ways that effectively work with discipline.
Honestly, I think my biggest issue at the moment is being patient and open-minded with my eight year old daughter. She has some very different likes and dislikes than my husband and I do, and she has this need to please others that can be very frustrating. I want to teach her self respect and how good friends will like her for who she is, not for what she can do for them.
Hi, I am a mom of an active 18 month old and a less than full time working Doctor
. I juggle my homeschooling,playing,cooking, washing and just playing mommy all week. It’s a labour of love and I am blessed to have a cute little family. I would be most grateful if I can get some knowledge/tips/lessons to how I can improve and make my parenting interesting and be more organised and creative as a mum to a lil boy.
Yikes, Jullian! I think I started my spring break a little early and missed the giveaway! I think as a parent of 3 and a teacher I have seen every type of behavior, or at least I thought I had, everyday a new and interesting challenge is presented before me and everyday I have to take a deep breath and remind myself to live the example I seek to instill in my children. It is a humbling experience. I have heard RAVE reviews for the e-book and check into Not Just Cute often! I always love her weekend links! Thanks for the giveaway!