Do you want to raise a well-behaved, happy child but feel that common forms of discipline used today, which focus on rewarding, excluding or punishing children, don't work for your family?

In The Gentle Discipline Book, Sarah Ockwell-Smith debunks many commonly held beliefs about punishment and motivation, and provides an alternative approach that will empower you to discipline your child in an effective way and with respect. Gentle discipline is not about mollycoddling your child or being a pushover - it means understanding your child, having realistic expectations of them, and responding to their misbehaviour appropriately. It focuses on teaching and learning, not punishment or rewarding.

In her trademark practical style, Sarah offers solutions for coping with the most common discipline challenges, including:

- whining and sulking
- aggressive and destructive behaviour
- not listening and refusal to do things
- rudeness and backchat
- sibling rivalry
- lying
- swearing
- low self-esteem and a lack of self-confidence

The advice is appropriate to a wide range of ages, from toddler to teenager, and, if you have been using more traditional form of discipline, it will give you the tools - and the confidence - to change to a more mindful approach.

Sarah's advice has given me the confidence to know there are alternative, gentler methods to things like the naughty step, and I'll be using this book as my bible for the next 16 years! And recommending it to all my friends * Charlie O’Brien, presenter, blogger, vlogger and mum to Noah *
What I value most about Sarah Ockwell-Smith's latest book is that it honours the struggles of both children and parents. She helps us see how understanding both sets of needs yields resolution and connection, which are not words we usually associate with discipline! Readers are treated not only to fascinating new discoveries about how children's brains and behaviour relate but also to the "ah-ha" moments that parents most wish for during times of conflict with their children * Dr Suzanne Zeedyk, Developmental psychology, Honorary Fellow, University of Dundee *
In Gentle Discipline, Sarah Ockwell-Smith challenges us as parents to pause, take a step back, and understand why children behave the way they do, so that we can make respectful and effective parenting choices... Congratulations, Sarah, this is a comprehensive, pragmatic, and common-sense approach to redefining what it means to discipline our children. Children all over the world will be thanking you! * Tracy Gillett, writer, mother and founder of Raised Good *
Any parent who wants to guide their children with more respect rather than govern them with fear will benefit from reading The Gentle Discipline Book. If you want reduce power struggles and punishments and replace them with more connection and understanding, this is a great read * Jessica Joelle Alexander, co-author of The Danish Way of Parenting *
The Gentle Discipline Book is a thorough guide to raising confident, capable children. Sarah Ockwell-Smith delivers valuable information and balances it nicely with practical and clear advice for implementing gentle discipline. This is a book that will remain by your bedside for reference for years to come -- Rebecca Eanes, author of Positive Parenting: An Essential Guide
A trustworthy combination of what-to-expect information and gentle-parenting solutions to the most common challenges faced by parents with young children -- The Green Parent

Sarah Ockwell-Smith is the mother of four children. She has a BSc in Psychology and worked for several years in Pharmaceutical Research and Development. Following the birth of her first child, Sarah re-trained as a Paediatric Homeopath, Antenatal Teacher and Birth and Postnatal Doula. She has also undertaken training in Baby Massage, Hypnotherapy and Psychotherapy. Sarah specialises in gentle parenting methods and is co-founder of the GentleParenting website (www.gentleparenting.co.uk). Sarah writes a parenting blog (www.sarahockwell-smith.com) which is read by 3 million parents per year, and is the author of BabyCalm, ToddlerCalm, The Gentle Sleep Book, The Gentle Parenting Book, The Gentle Discipline Book, The Gentle Potty Training Book, The Gentle Eating Book, The Second Baby Book, The Starting School Book Between: A guide for parents of eight to thirteen-year-olds, How to Be a Calm Parent and Beginnings. She frequently writes for magazines and newspapers, and is often called upon as a parenting expert for national television and radio.