REVIEW: PROACTIVE PARENTING™ ONLINE DOWNLOADABLE SEMINARS
Recently, I had the chance to review all 10 online downloadable seminars by Proactive Parenting™
(http://proactiveparenting.net). These seminars are specifically for children between the ages of 1-6. These downloadable seminars are iPod/ iTouch/iPhone/MP3 friendly and you can even burn it into a CD.

Topics range from Yelling, Self-Control, Whining, Interrupting, Correcting Toddlers, Correcting Preschoolers, Siblings, Listening, Quiet, and Power Struggles. Now, isn’t that a nice healthy mix of behavioral issues we, as parents, face every single day?

Who doesn’t get tired at the end of a full day (or even midday!) and when having to deal with our precious ones, react rather than respond?

I have to say, listening to the seminars, gave me insights on how a child thinks and responds. Children not only listen to our words, they study our expressions and body language and make their own conclusions on how the world works and how they can use those same words, expressions and body language to make it work for them.

For example, having a time-out. Having time-outs isn’t very popular in my home. My kids don’t seem to respond appropriately after they’ve done their time-out and I was wondering if they had learnt anything out of it. From “Listening” – I learnt that it’s all a vicious cycle. I realised now why my kids have selective hearing powers. Kids just don’t listen to anyone who’s yelling. Especially if they’re
very emotional or hyped up themselves!

There are heaps of assumptions that we parents make out of our kids. I think I’ve failed considerably as I’ve assumed that my pre-schooler can think logically and maturely, just because he knows how to string proper sentences.

By listening (and re-listening) to these seminars, I found I could follow their techniques and guess what? It really worked on my pre-schooler! While I know I still need to react less and respond more, I’m really glad that I have these practical and effective methods to apply.

What I really liked about it, is that I’m able to listen to these seminars while I’m doing the dishes, folding laundry or preparing dinner (and the list goes on). In my home, reading a book on childrearing would be hampered by several moments of interruptions and of course, I would just lose the momentum and get bored with it!

I have never been able to attend a parenting seminar, as it’s quite difficult to get a sitter. Even if I did, I know I’d probably forget half the seminar bym the time I get home. So, having the opportunity to re-listen to these seminars whenever and wherever I wanted, was value for money.

I’m still taking baby steps in correcting my behaviour/reactions, but there is a light at the end of the parenting tunnel for me.