Raise Happy Children: Teach Yourself

: introduction: overview: before you begin01: ACT don’t react: in the heat of the moment: the ACT formula: ‘the Autoparent’: ACT in practice: how to remember ACT: summary02: understanding yourself as a parent: parenting pressures: the parenting style graph: your own experience of parenting styles: your own parenting styles: the oxygen mask: summary03: understanding your child’s behaviour: the link between behaviour, feelings and needs: the fountain of needs: when needs are not met: bearing needs in mind: basic human needs: summary04: valuing your child: valuing your children: showing you care: difficult times: the importance of touch: building confidence and resilience: celebrating difference: summary05: recognizing feelings: emotional literacy: basic feelings in mammals: identifying feelings: layers of feelings: awareness of feelings: summary06: dealing with feelings: denying feelings: acknowledging feelings: mixed feelings: verbal and non-verbal approaches: worries: self talk: expressing feelings: summary07: anger and tantrums: what is anger?: in what ways is anger useful?: the dangers of ignoring anger: parents’ relationships: prevention is better than cure: first aid: what to do when your children are angry: tantrums: summary08: encouraging co-operation and: positive feelings: the value of play and playfulness: the power of language: giving choices: giving responsibility gives confidence: nag busters: positive attentionsummary: 14509: skilled listening: being someone to tell: blocks to confiding: being a helper: empathy: listening with heart and mind: skilled listening: when skilled listening is not appropriatesummary: 16310: problem solving: a model for problem solving: challenging limiting beliefs: problems without a solution: problems which need adult intervention: summary11: boundaries and freedom: what are boundaries and why are they important: family values and rules: keeping boundaries: challenging unacceptable behaviour: the discipline of consequences: thinking time: being firm: boundaries and the outside worldsummary: 20012: tackling sibling conflict: causes of conflict: battles for love and attention: status battles: dealing with fights: selective attention: playing or hurting?: bullying in the family: model for negotiationsummary: 22213: time to talk about difficult issues: conflict, separation and divorce: death and bereavement: talking about sex and relationships: alcohol, smoking and drugs: summary14: happiness: happiness derived from meeting needs: connectedness: parental guidance: the value of satisfaction and creativity: the other side of the coin: resilience and optimism: thankfulness: giving and receiving: nature and walking: moral and spiritual happiness: postscript: taking it further: index