Reading
On each week's page, you'll find the reading for that week, which will be in my book Peaceful Parent, Happy
Kids. To get the most out of this course, I encourage you to do the reading. We’re using the book as our
starting place, but in the lectures I won't waste your time by repeating what's in the book; we'll be going
deeper into the material and expanding on it to give you more resources.
We've sent you a free copy of Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids as part of the course because it’s the foundation
for these ideas. (If you haven't received your book within 2 weeks of your registration date please email
[email protected] right away.) Please begin reading the book as soon as you have a chance.
If you don't have time to read, please consider getting your hands on the audiobook. (I'm afraid that I
can't give it as part of the course because the audio publishing company owns the audios, so I don't even
have a copy!) Many parents tell me that listening to the book made it possible for them to squeeze in
"reading" time.
If you've already read PPHK, I suggest that you nevertheless review the assigned reading each week. In the
lectures I won't be repeating what's in the book, and you'll find new insights as you review.
My new Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids WORKBOOK is not part of the Course,
although in the Course I do gift you some exercises from the WORKBOOK as homework exercises. I also use the
example of how to calm down when your children are fighting in the car in both the Week 2 Course Lecture and
in the Workbook. But if you want to go deeper, I recommend the WORKBOOK as an additional resource just
because it takes the work in this Course and gives you more practice. And practice, as you know, is how you
rewire your brain! And for Course grads who are taking the Course again and did all the Homework on their
first time through, I've given you suggested Bonus homework from the WORKBOOK, which you'll find in the
Bonus section. (No, the WORKBOOK does not substitute for Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids, which is our text in
this Course. PPHK gives you the theory. The WORKBOOK gives you the practice and takes the work deeper.)
If you have more than one child, you'll find Peaceful Parent, Happy Siblings is also an enriching addition
to the course, since it takes the ideas you're learning and applies them to the dynamics between your
children. Peaceful Parenting always improves the dynamics between your children, but sometimes extra support
on how to apply these ideas to sibling dynamics is priceless.
I also encourage you to start a journal (either in a notebook or on your computer) in which you can record
your thoughts, frustrations and success stories as you begin reading and applying the ideas in Peaceful
Parent, Happy Kids. This writing is just for you; you won't be asked to share it. But journaling develops
the prefrontal cortex of the brain in positive ways that help you self-regulate and become happier, and it
will help you to make the most of this course. Record your questions, too, because keeping them in mind as
you read will help you formulate answers.
Weekly Lecture
On each week's page, you'll find a link to our audio lecture for that week. The audio is about an hour in
length and you can break it up to listen over the course of the week. If you get a chance to listen to it
more than once, many parents say they have new insights their second time through.
All the audios in this course can be listened to right from the page. You may also listen to them off-line
by downloading to your computer, or to your phone via your Dropbox account. Listening off-line will require
completing a few steps ahead of time while you do have an internet connection, so be sure to read our Audio
FAQs to get set up. If you don't have a Dropbox account, or have questions about listening offline and on
your mobile device or tablet, please read our Audio FAQs.
Daily Inspirations
It takes about three months to develop a habit and rewire your brain. I've designed these three months
of daily inspirations to help you rewire your brain so that you're more able to stay calm under
pressure.
Each week, you'll also find links to five short audios, called Daily Inspirations. These are only 4
minutes in length. I encourage you to find a time when you aren't driving so that you can close your
eyes and simply be present.
These audios deepen over time, so start at the beginning and follow them in order, even if you get behind.
There are five for each week, so on the weekend you can either catch up, take a break, or repeat your
favorites. If you're already a meditator, wonderful! But I still encourage you to listen to these Daily
Inspirations in addition to your regular meditation, because they cover specific material that's designed to
change your brain and support you in your parenting.
