Tag Archives: parenting expert

Talking to Children About ‘Stranger Danger’

Posted on March 16, 2020 by SarahOckwell-Smith

I’m often asked my opinion of talking to children about interactions with strangers and how I would best approach the topic. It may surprise you that I am really not a fan of the idea. Why? Continue reading →

Posted in Preschoolers, Teens, Toddlers, Tweens | Tagged how to keep children safe, how to tell children about stranger danger, parenting expert, parenting expert stranger danger, parenting expert UK, stranger danger, talking to children about strangers, teach children about stranger danger, tricky people

The Three Biggest Mistakes Parents Make When Disciplining Children

Posted on August 29, 2017 by SarahOckwell-Smith

It doesn’t matter if you’re an authoritarian parent, hot on punishment and reward, or a gentle parent, focused on connection and empathy. Your kid is going to misbehave. Because that’s what they do….. Continue reading →

Posted in Mothering, Preschoolers, Teens, Toddlers, Tweens | Tagged discipline not working, gentle discipline, gentle discipline book, gentle parenting, parenting expert, parenting not working, positive discipline, positive discipline book, Sarah Ockwell-Smith, ToddlerCalm

Why Common Discipline Methods Don’t Work (and What to do Instead)

Posted on February 20, 2017 by SarahOckwell-Smith

most common discipline methods focus on encouraging children to do and be better, so that they are motivated by rewards if they behave ‘well’ and punishments if they misbehave. This would seem sensible, but it makes one huge mistake. Continue reading →

Posted in Preschoolers, Teens, Toddlers, Tweens | Tagged child behaviour expert, effective discipline, gentle discipline, gentle discipline book, how to discipline, how to make toddler behave, naughty children, naughty step, parenting expert, positive discipline, time out

Gentle Parenting – You Mean ‘Hippy, Pushover Parenting’? Busting Ten Gentle Parenting Myths.

Posted on December 19, 2016 by SarahOckwell-Smith

…if people ask me to explain gentle parenting in a nutshell I always say the same “treating children how we would like to be treated ourselves”. To this day I don’t understand why it is so controversial, except perhaps that we don’t treat ourselves very well? Continue reading →

Posted in Babies, Mothering, Preschoolers, Teens, Toddlers, Tweens | Tagged childcare expert, discipline techqniques, gentle discipline, gentle discipline book, gentle parenting, gentle parenting book, gentle parenting expert, how to discipline, natural consequences, parenting expert, positive discipline, positive parenting, problem with naughty step, problem with time out

Using Consequences as a Discipline Tool

Posted on August 9, 2016 by SarahOckwell-Smith

Consequences can be an effective discipline tool when used mindfully and carefully. Sadly consequences can also be ineffective and even damaging, depending on how and when they are used. There also seems to be a lot of confusion surrounding the use of consequences as a form of discipline. The largest source of confusion seems to be that of the difference between natural and logical consequences, something I hope to clear up in this post. Continue reading →

Posted in Teens, Toddlers, Tweens | Tagged child development expert, childcare expert, consequences, examples of logical consequences, examples of natural consequences, gentle discipline, gentle parenting discipline, logical consequences, natural consequences, parenting expert, parenting expert UK, sarah ockwell-smith discipline, the gentle discipline book, what are natural consequences

The Gentle Sleep Book – 13-24 month (1-2 year) old toddler sleep Q&As.

Posted on October 12, 2014 by SarahOckwell-Smith

On the first Wednesday of every month I run a free Sleep Q&A session on my Facebook Page for ‘The Gentle Sleep Book’. I often find that the questions that are asked are repeated quite frequently and there tend to be … Continue reading →

Posted in Toddlers | Tagged baby can't sleep, baby sleep advice, baby sleep coach, baby sleep expert, baby sleep expert uk, baby sleep specialist, baby won't sleep, child sleep expert, child sleep expert uk, gentle parenting sleep, gentle sleep advice, gentle sleep book, gentle sleep coach, gentle sleep training, night weaning, parenting expert, parenting expert UK, sarah ockwell-smith sleep, the baby expert, toddler can't sleep, toddler doesn't sleep through the night, toddler wakes lots, toddler won't go to bed, toddler won't sleep

The Gentle Sleep Book – 7-12 month old baby sleep Q&As.

Posted on October 12, 2014 by SarahOckwell-Smith

Posted in Babies | Tagged 4 month old won't sleep, 5 month old won't sleep, AP, babies, baby can't sleep, baby expert, baby sleep advice, baby sleep coach, baby sleep consultant, baby sleep expert, baby sleep expert uk, baby sleep help, baby sleep trainer, baby sleep training information, baby won't sleep, fourth trimester, gentle sleep book, gentle sleep training, help with babies sleep, help with baby's sleep, how to get my baby to nap, how to get my baby to sleep, newborn baby won't sleep, newborn sleep, newborn sleep advice, night weaning, parenting expert, parenting expert UK, sleep

Ten Common Baby Parenting Myths You Might Believe (and why you shouldn’t).

Posted on September 16, 2014 by SarahOckwell-Smith

There are so many parenting myths in circulation in society. I’m sure you’ve come across many yourself. Many of them are obviously myths and therefore easy to ignore. Others however seem far more ingrained and sound more plausible. Their plausibility and popularity cause a great deal of misunderstanding, and often stress, for vulnerable new parents. Continue reading →

Posted in Babies | Tagged baby myths, baby sleep expert, baby sleep myths, baby sleep training, baby teething myths, baby teething signs, baby teething symptoms, baby weaning myths, does my baby have colic?, dream feeding, dreamfeeding, health visitor training, How can I get my child to sleep more?, How can I help a teething baby?, How can I help my baby to sleep better?, how do I get my child in a bedtime routine?, how long should my baby sleep for?, parenting expert, parenting expert UK, parenting myths, the baby whisperer, tracy hogg, what is colic?, when should I wean my baby?

5 Reasons Modern-Day Parenting is in Crisis

Posted on July 7, 2014 by SarahOckwell-Smith

Modern day parenting is in trouble. I have worked with thousands and parents and their children across two decades and what I see worries me, what worries me more however is the advice these parents are given and trustingly follow. … Continue reading →

Posted in Mothering, Preschoolers, Toddlers, Tweens | Tagged 5 reasons modern day parenting is in crisis, baby expert, baby expert UK, baby sleep expert, british nanny parenting, Emma Jenner, huff post, huffington post, parenting expert, parenting expert UK, supernanny. problems with modern day parenting, uk baby expert, uk parenting expert

How to Calm a Crying Baby (and Get a Little More Sleep at Night)

Posted on January 26, 2013 by SarahOckwell-Smith

Note: This is a collaborative post, please see author listing at the end. “My baby is only happy in my arms, the minute I put her down she cries.” “She wakes every hour throughout the night, every night, I’m exhausted.” … Continue reading →