Read what each chapter covers before choosing where to start.
1. Feelings are allowed, behaviour has limits
Acknowledge a feeling while stating the behaviour you are limiting.
2. What research can tell us
Distinguish evidence-based parenting support from a single example phrase.
3. Assessing online advice
Consider whether an approach is safe, feasible and developmentally appropriate.
4. A rule or a personal preference?
Examine what problem a rule solves and where choices are possible.
5. From infancy to the teenage years
Match your guidance to skills and support needs.
6. A practical five-step plan
Prepare your response: pause, understand, state the limit, offer room and act appropriately.
7. A supermarket tantrum
Keep your message brief and consider how to safely reduce the demands of the situation.
8. Leaving the playground
Make the ending concrete and help your child through the transition safely.
9. Hitting, biting and throwing
Protect the person being hurt first. Explore and practise an alternative once calm returns.
10. Stopping tablet time
Agree on a feasible endpoint and a stopping plan in advance.
11. Your teenager's privacy
Make transparent agreements about guidance and discuss concrete safety concerns.
12. Bedtime and closeness
Distinguish limits on activities from support with fear or discomfort.
13. Meals without pressure
Explore structure and appropriate support without using food as punishment.
14. Homework and tidying up
Make a task manageable and explore what help is needed to get started.
15. Conflict between children
Limit unsafe behaviour without automatically making the oldest child responsible.
16. Angry and hurtful words
State what language you are limiting and return to the conversation after a pause.
17. Coming home late
Arrange a safe return first, then discuss responsibility and transport.
18. Money, toys and belonging
State a financial limit and listen to the need behind the request.
19. Your child has boundaries too
Respect a no to unnecessary physical contact and model this yourself.
20. Photos and personal stories
Consider what you share about your child and involve them in that choice where appropriate.
21. Additional support
Explore what makes an agreement feasible and when individual support is needed.
22. Proportionate consequences and safety
Choose a related response that is no greater than necessary and protects basic needs.
23. An agreement can change
Explain why you are revising an unrealistic agreement and how the new plan works.
24. Parenting together
Discuss important agreements directly between adults.
25. Repairing your own mistake
Take responsibility for your response without making your child responsible for your anger.
26. When the pattern keeps repeating
Review the agreement, support and your own actions together.
27. A feasible plan for this week
Choose one agreement, appropriate support and a time to review it.
28. Practising three situations
Compare how your responsibility changes across different ages.
29. When to seek help
Identify where to seek support when difficulties persist.
30. Parenting with warmth and clarity
Choose one small change and model what you want to practise.