What is GD and any book recommendations?

[RachaelM]

Could someone give me an overview of what the term "Gentle Discipline" means in terms of the strategies used and avoided?

Also some book recommendations would be great. 

I have an almost 3 year old and until now we've been very laid back with her, no need for any discipline most of the time, and when we do it's just a case of explaining the WHY to her and finding something else for her to do. 

Now I feel she is testing things a bit more, which is great but I have the feeling I need to outline my strategy a bit more and agree on something with my husband for those moments when she completely ignores our request to stop doing something, even with an explanation and so on. 

I think we just need a consistent way of reacting so she knows. Some days if she doesn't listen, which isn't often (yet), I just give up...which is obviously a TERRIBLE strategy but I sometimes lose the energy and run out of ideas!

Your advice is greatly appreciated!

[IdentityCrisisMama]

I haven't loved any of the super general books for your child's age but I can rattle off a few that you may find interesting and/or ones I've seen recommended frequently.

Here are ones that I either haven't loved or found that useful but that seem popular: 

• Playful Parenting
• The Positive Discipline Series 
• I think Dr. Sears has a discipline book, which I imagine is good, fairly general and targeted to younger kids 

One of my favorites for younger children is: 

• Becoming the Parent you Want to Be 

My all time favorites: 

• Unconditional Parenting 
• Taking Children Seriously 
• A general text book for Child Development 

[IdentityCrisisMama]

Here is a big list of resources with some good descriptions: http://www.mothering.com/community/a/gentle-discipline-resources

[mary934]

For me - GD  are working with approaches= proactive + collaborative problem solving , rather than doing to = reactive + rewards, punishments , consequences . Limit setting is collaborative and not the parent alone. Difficulties and challenges are more about lagging skills and unmet concerns rather than wanting to test limits.

My favourites  - the how of GD  are books by Ross Greene - the CPS collaborative problem solving approach 

his site http://livesinthebalance.org 

Myrna Shure books - also on problem solving  I can problem solve 

Mindfulness for children - helps kids calm down , be attentive , self soothe 

Mary 

[RachaelM]

Thanks guys, I will start to check these out :)