Bonnie Harris is the founder of Connective Parenting, an approach that advocates unconditional acceptance of children while setting the limits necessary to ensure mutual respect.

But how do parents give children the power they need while maintaining appropriate discipline? How do they avoid power struggles when children are demanding or defiant? And how do they maintain balance and peace?

The answer to these and other questions lies in a process of problem solving that engages both children and parents. Children learn how to make smart decisions and work through difficult dilemmas, while parents support and encourage their child’s own thought processes and teach the collaboration skills that end in win/win situations. By facilitating problem solving through the child’s engaged, active learning parents teach children boundaries, accountability and respect. By switching from director to guide, parents teach the collaboration skills that end in win/win.                                                                             

In this interactive workshop, Bonnie will walk us through the steps of connective communication and the principles of the problem solving process. Using story and role-play she’ll demonstrate the application of theory and principle. Parents will gain the confidence to switch from director to guide, and be able to equip our children with the skills that will carry them successfully through life.

Bonnie Harris, M.S.Ed. has designed and taught parenting workshops and counseled parents for more than twenty years. She speaks and gives trainings internationally. Bonnie received her master's degree in Early Childhood Education from Bank Street College in New York City. She founded The Parent Guidance Center in Peterborough, NH in 1990, now The Family Center, dedicated to parent education and support. Her book When Your Kids Push Your Buttons, was named one of the NY Post's top ten parenting books, has been published in seven countries, and led to numerous television appearances. Her second book Confident Parents, Remarkable Kids: 8 Principles for Raising Kids You'll Love to Live With was published in 2008. More information about the Connective Parenting approach is available at www.connectiveparenting.com