Why is this subject Peaceful Discipline, important in the world?
Children who are raised in peaceful homes “pay forward” what they’ve known growing up. Many of us have heard that “pain begets pain,” but kindness also begets kindness. Children raised with connection and respect will feel uncomfortable in relationships that don’t prioritize those things–and they won’t stand for them.
These kids grow up to be the changemakers in the world—the ones who care about social issues, won’t tolerate different forms of injustice, and who will speak out on behalf of those who can’t.
Kindness is so strongly at the core of what they value—because they experienced it at home first—that their compassion helps soften the “harsh” world around them.
The point, after all, isn’t to raise kids to be “tough.” Rather, the point is to raise resilient kids (there’s a difference!) who feel supported through adversity without the trauma that a “tough” life often encompasses. These kids’ inner strength comes from knowing they’re loved and accepted unconditionally.
They become the healers of a hurting world, helping create a safer future for everyone.
What is the pressing issue right, and how are you addressing it?
Children’s mental health is at an all-time low, not just because of the pandemic. Although there are various underlying factors, much of it comes down to children who feel “invisible” and undervalued for the unique goodness they bring to the world.
Life for them has become much more about living in a “performance society” where a child’s value depends more on their GPA and success in extracurricular activities than it does on whether or not they’re actually thriving in this one precious life they have.
We need to get back to fully seeing children for their innate value and creating a home life in which they can rest emotionally.
Let’s not raise a generation of burned-out and miserable future adults. We certainly have enough of that already. Instead, let’s raise children who actually feel good about their lives and the relationships that surround them because they’re truly joyful. Joy isn’t as elusive as many people think it is (I’ve lived this incredible shift firsthand).
Sarah R. Moore Biography
What is your background in this subject?
In addition to having spent 20 years working for a global company in persuasion, negotiation, conflict resolution, and communications (all great training for parenting!), I’m also an armchair neuroscientist with professional training in child development, trauma recovery, interpersonal neurobiology, and improv comedy.
I’m a certified Master Trainer in conscious parenting, and perhaps most importantly, I have firsthand experience as a Mama. I’ve worked directly with some of the world’s leading scientists and researchers to understand attachment and the parent/child dyad deeply. The consensus is that the whole world benefits when we work to heal our families. Our personal healing work has a beneficial ripple effect on the lives around us.
What is something that most people don’t know about you?
I have an uncanny knack for having odd experiences with wildlife. Need a large, wild monkey to run up your arm in Costa Rica? I’m your girl. A bat stuck in the hair? I’ve got that covered. Want to be licked by a random chipmunk that didn’t want to let go of my foot? Check! This is the short list of encounters with the animal kingdom. I also seem to bump into celebrities fairly regularly, but none of those have held onto or licked my foot so far.
What are your passions outside of your career?
Before the pandemic, we were world-schooling our daughter (using travel and real-life experiences as her best teacher), and I’m really looking forward to doing more of that again! Such an eye-opening experience in the very best ways.
Are there any social causes that you believe in and support?
On a small scale, I believe in performing random acts of kindness regularly. On a larger scale, I actively support charities that help underserved children and communities worldwide. Of course, at the most fundamental level, we need a healthy planet that offers easy access to necessities like clean drinking water, so that’s also a top priority.
What is next for you?
I have about three other books that are vying for my attention to see which one will bubble up and make it onto paper. Before I do that, though, I will spend some time reconnecting with my child. She’s my motivation for this work and my favorite human on the planet.
Peaceful Discipline: Story Teaching, Brain Science, & Better Behavior
Tell me about your book.
In Peaceful Discipline: Story Teaching, Brain Science, & Better Behavior, we explore:
- The body-brain connection to behavior, why most common “consequences” backfire long-term, and what to do instead
- How parents and children can regulate their nervous systems to foster greater connection, even in the thick of adversity
- How to use different types of storytelling and play as effective and benevolent teachers
It covers these topics from the contexts of neuroscience, attachment theory, and best practices of conscious parenting. This book helps mitigate adults’ very real struggles and gives them specific strategies that increase cooperation and connection with the children in their lives.
In short, this book helps bring joy back to families. How incredible would it feel to fall in love with our children and feel encouraged about parenting all over again? This book will help pave the way for that.
How Busy Executives Can Make Great Parents(Opens in a new browser tab)
Where can people buy the book?
Amazon is a popular favorite at the moment (here’s the direct link to the book), but you can request that any local bookseller order it and make it available to you. I look forward to hearing what you think of it!
Sarah R. Moore is the founder of Dandelion Seeds Positive Parenting and author of Peaceful Discipline: Story Teaching, Brain Science & Better Behavior. She’s a public speaker, armchair neuroscientist, and, most importantly, a Mama. She’s a lifelong learner with training in child development, trauma recovery, interpersonal neurobiology, and improv comedy. As a certified Master Trainer in conscious parenting, she helps bring JOY, EASE, and CONNECTION back to families around the globe. Based in Colorado, Sarah and her family spend much of their time world schooling. She speaks French and eats Italian food like a pro!) Her heart desires to bring greater peace and healing to the world through loving and respectful parenting. Follow her on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, & Twitter.
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