Category Archives: Consensual Living

Seeking harmony with each family member

• Redefining Misbehavior Part I: What is Misbehavior?

  What is this thing that occupies the minds’ of parents we call “misbehavior”? What defines misbehavior and is there another way of looking at it? This is part 1 of a series looking at misbehavior and what drives it.  MORE

• Respecting Children’s Boundaries

  Recently, I went to my parents’ house to visit my extended family. It was a completely solo trip (No husband! No kids!), and I got to relax and visit with my little nephews.  I really enjoyed my time playing with them, and they seemed to enjoy hanging out with just me. When it was time to leave, I sought out my oldest …  MORE

• AP Without a Family Bed

  Early on, one of my greatest attractions to Attachment Parenting was the way that it focused on meeting the child’s needs – even when it went against the grain. I loved the concept of honoring the child, and working to meet the needs of everyone in the family, instead of forcing the child to comply with the desires of the parents, while sacrificing his or her own wants or needs.  MORE

• Becoming a Gentle Parent

  For most people, becoming a gentle parent means a smaller change than they may think. I share three small but key differences that turned my parenting around and helped me get the most out of my relationships with my kids.  MORE

• Teenagers and Autonomy

  Allowing teenagers the independence to make their own choices can be frightening for many parents.  MORE

• How To Return To Gentle Parenting Intentions During Times of Stress

  Do you ever feel bogged down and negative about your parenting interactions when you are feeling tired, stressed or overwhelmed?
  Try a new way of confronting usual parenting challenges. Try to play when you were usually serious and flexibility if you were otherwise set in your decision. That change will help your brain become unstuck from the negative rut and return to your positive and peaceful goal.  MORE

• Allowing Children the Freedom of Self-Expression

  When my children were little, I had total control over what they wore. Nowadays, I have no control over what they wear, and I am happy to let them express themselves.  MORE

• 300 Positive Words to Describe Your Children

  Many of the characteristics that are undervalued in children are the very characteristics valued in adults. The next time you find yourself thinking about your children, try to think of their characteristics in a positive light. Mandy shares 300 fun and uplifting words to get you started.  MORE

• VOTE Now through May 31, 2013 for the Finalists in NPN’s Flickr Contest

  We created a place on Flickr for natural parents to share their favorite photos, and the amount of talent and beauty captured by your cameras and shared with our community has been amazing! Now vote for your absolute favorites from the finalists! Voting ends May 31, 2013.  MORE

• When Teens Practice Consensual Values

  One of the issues I had when I first began to consider parenting in a more consensual way was the idea that my children would be ill-prepared to handle real world challenges. But I realized how well we were preparing our kids when my son successfully resolved a problem with his high school teacher.  MORE

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