Conscious/gentle/responsive parenting resources?

[Cindy1802]

Our 2.5 year old is a huge bundle of energy and fun - but with that comes a huge bundle of big emotions and tantrums. I'm not sure we are dealing with the tantrums the best we can, and wondering if anyone can advise any content/books/websites for us to learn a bit more about this?

Ideally I don't want an online course, my husband and I work long/different hours so would prefer to be able to read something separately in our own time.

I do follow some insta accounts but would like something a bit more extensive/in depth.

How to talk so little kids will listen is a great book. Janet Lansbury is a good author to look out for, she has written a couple of books (Elevating Childcare and No Bad Kids) and she does a good podcast (Unruffled).

How To Talk So (Little) Kids Will Listen - it's the gentle parenting bible! The original is usable from approx 2/3 but really comes into its own from about age 4, and has tools for all ages. The "Little kids" one is aimed at children who have some language onwards, is a bit more modern and I think more accessible to a modern audience (The "what not to do" examples in the original HTT come across as really dated now.) However has fewer tools aimed at older children age 7+.

The Whole Brain Child is also really great - most things by Tina Payne Bryson and Dan Siegel are.

Janet Lansbury's podcast, and the podcast Raising Good Humans are also good.

I have got into the Conscious Discipline methodology by Becky A Bailey recently. It was originally developed for teachers but can be used by parents too. I like that they teach self-regulation skills to the parents first so that the parents can then go on to teach those skills to the child.

I know you said no online courses, but there is a good one on Coursera called The ABCs of Everyday Parenting by Yale. I only recommend it because it's set up in the way that you can individually complete your own modules and come together to discuss them and try them out. Each part is either a single article to read or a short video (approx 9 mins) and you get practical tools you can use instantly right from the start. I would class this as more Positive Parenting than Gentle Parenting as it's still behaviourism, but it's a very good explanation of some behaviourist concepts that I hadn't really understood and it's not punitive, so might fit into your parenting style.

I think you're right to move away from instagram as it is a bit surface level, better to look for more in depth ideas. And stay away (IMO) from the FB groups as they can be a bit nuts!

Fab thanks ladies will take a look!