Society is changing. Technology is changing. The world is changing. ANd it is changing at a rate that makes it almost impossible for parents to keep up. The Parenting On Track program is grounded in a 100 year old philosophy that focuses on building relationships between parents and children, and creating a family atmosphere that will be so solid, so strong, that no matter what changes are thrown our way, we will feel confident about the decisions we make. And, if there was some aspect of the way that you were raised that truly resonates with you, use it.

Many of the parenting programs available today rely on discipline strategies to “get rid of” children’s misbehavior or to “get” children to behave differently. Parenting On Track™ is unique in that it focuses on identifying, solving, and preventing problems instead of merely eliminating the symptoms.

Our program is based on a timeless philosophy grounded in Adlerian Psychology. The strategies presented in our program help parents create lasting, mutually respectful parent-child relationships. Parents learn how to enjoy their children when they are young while supporting and guiding them toward independence.

The Parenting On Track™ Home Program gives you all the tools you’ll need to start making positive changes from day one. Every individual parent and family is, of course, different and will experience change at different rates depending on their unique goals.

Since each individual and each family is different, some will find it easier than others. The fundamental principles of the program should already be familiar to you – respect, responsibility, independence, love, compassion, and enthusiasm – so you already have a head start!

Since there are no new-fangled concepts to tackle, much of the program is about discovering what combinations of strategies and techniques work best for your unique preferences, values, beliefs, interests and family dynamics.

Robust and adaptable, Parenting On Track™ strategies continue to give you what you need even as the dynamic of your family changes.

Since this program focuses not only on improving family relationships while your children are at home, but also prepares your children to thrive as responsible, independent adults once they leave your home, applying the principles during the teen years can be especially fruitful.

Parenting On Track™ empowers you to parent from your best whether you are single, married, divorced, or part of a blended family.

Not at all. It’s the perfect time. The younger your kids are when they start, the easier it is to introduce the core concepts and strategies. Since your children haven’t developed as many habits, the training will be easier and frankly, more fun. You’ll actually be able to bypass many of the challenges other parents encounter.

As long as you have children in your home, it’s never too late to start building healthy relationships with them. And remember, the pay off will go way beyond when your youngest child turns 18.

Of course not. But we aren’t talking about perfect parenting or perfect kids. Most of us draw on our experiences as kids to decide how to parent in any given situation at any given time. Many of us adopt strategies our parents used. But we also recognize that many of the things our parent’s did, don’t work with our kids. There is a reason for that. The world is changing. There are new challenges today.

This is a program that, at its core, understands that YOU are the best parent for your child. And, when you understand why kids misbehave, focus on what you want instead of what you don’t want, put your energy into creating capable, cooperative, responsible and respectful kids, you can incorporate any strategy that suits your style, preference or belief system.

Funny you should ask. I have never met a parent who could get their kids to do ANY of those things for long using a discipline strategy. First of all, they aren’t discipline problems. They are either training problems, or cooperation problems, or follow through problems.

When you focus on relationship strategies, what you develop in kids is a willingness to cooperate, a desire to become self-sufficient and responsible, an enthusiastic attitude towards independence. Those character traits are manifested through actions which include – brushing teeth, doing homework feeding dogs, and more.

HMMM! Have you ever watched a small child teach themselves to roll over, crawl, sit up, stand and walk? They are pretty tiny when they begin the process of becoming independent. Doesn’t it stand to reason that this drive to become independent continues through childhood and into adulthood? Of course it does. And if that is the case, then children are, by nature, interested in taking on more and more of their life.

Will they remember EVERYTHING by 7? Probably not. But it is not unrealistic to witness a 9 year old in complete charge of their “stuff” with an attitude of confidence, enjoyment and satisfaction.

Listen, that report might be true, but I have raised 5 teens and I can tell you this – when you invite kids into their lives when they are 2 and they begin making decisions when they are little, by the time they hit the teens years, they are pros. Practice, Practice, Practice. Now, that doesn’t mean they won’t make mistakes and some decisions won’t work out so well. But I also know, from not only my experience, but the experience of thousands of other parents, that the teens who practice decision making, who have the support of their parents and belief in their own abilities, navigate the teen years with very few bumps and bruises.

Um – well, honestly, this program probably isn’t for you. We at Parenting On Track don’t believe in perfectionism. We didn’t create a program to achieve perfection. The program is based on this over-riding idea:

Children are here to learn – we are here to teach, train and support them as they become independent, self-assured, engaged, connected human beings who will leave our homes at 18 and enter the world stage. Who do you want to send out into the world? A child who sat on the bench for 18 years watching you or a child that learned at your side? The choice is yours.

Sure. You can do anything you like. But let me ask you something - have you considered all the ramifications of using a “quick fix” approach with a small child and what you will replace time-outs with when your child reaches 13? Unless, of course, you think the 13 year old will gladly sit in time-out.
Parents are conditioned into thinking that they MUST do something when a child misbehaves, even if that “something” makes things worse. Yes, the misbehavior may stop momentarily, but within hours or days, the kids are back to their old tricks.

This is what I know – parents want long term strategies that create change, not just create momentary compliance in their children. Do you really want to be sending your kids to time-outs every day? Most parents I talk with would rather solve the problem once and for all and move onto more interesting things with their kids.

And here is a final thought – if Time-Outs worked, every one would use them for everything and we would have pleasant, well-behaved, respectful, cooperative kids. But that isn’t what Time-Outs produce. Something to think about.

Oh, of course you have time. That’s all you have is time. Are you anxious? Sure. Are you feeling frustrated and discouraged? Sure. But here is the thing – your daughter isn’t the problem. I know that’s hard to hear, but it is the truth. Most parents wait on their kids when they are little. A habit is created. The child begins to believe that it is your job to wait on them. Suddenly, a parent decides they are finished waiting on their kids and abruptly quit.

I’m sorry to say that the poor child, who has been waited on for 9 years in this case, is left with no resources, no training and no courage to take charge of their life. With a little training, a lot of support, with some faith, everyone in the family feels supported and respected. Will it happen over night? No. But it will happen.

Gosh, I wish that had been true for me. Instinctual would have made raising 5 kids a whole lot easier perhaps. But for most parents, loving kids is instinctual. After that it’s a crap shoot. And, I don’t want my kids to allow ANYONE to boss them around. Remember, if your kids allow you to boss them, which is highly unlikely unless you are abusive, they will allow ANYONE to boss them. Do you really want that?

Isn’t our job instead, to teach our children self-control, self-discipline, self-awareness? Well, that can only happen under the tutelage of a caring parent who is there to teach and guide, not boss.