Research says: Parent-child relationships that include healthy communication and the ability to set limits is the #1 factor in self-esteem, social competence, academic success, and psychosocial development of children. (Strage and Brandt, 1999) What Conscious Discipline Does: Conscious Discipline significantly enhances parent-child relationships in the areas of setting limits, communication, satisfaction, involvement, and support. Becky Bailey believes that self-control must be the first priority for all parents. Self-control is the ability to reach out and empathize with others, to accept and celebrate differences, to communicate feelings directly, to resolve conflicts in constructive ways, and to enjoy feeling close and connected to others. The Seven Powers for Self-Control are ways of perceiving and thinking. Each of the Seven Powers has a slogan to help you remember to use that particular power in times of conflict. The Seven Powers for Self Control POWER OF PERCEPTION No one can make you angry without your permission POWER OF ATTENTION What you focus on, you get more of POWER OF FREE WILL The only person that you can make change is yourself POWER OF UNITY We're all in this together POWER OF LOVE See the best in each other POWER OF ACCEPTANCE This moment is as it is POWER OF INTENTION Conflict is an opportunity to teach From these Seven Powers of Self-Control emerge the Seven Basic Discipline Skills. Dr.Bailey believes these are the only skills you need to constructively respond to any difficult moment. As parents change their attitudes and behaviors, so will their children. Conscious Discipline is about parents teaching their children how to behave, NOT about parents controlling their children's behavior. Seven Basic Discipline Skills Composure: Living the values you want your child to develop. This teaches integrity. Encouragement: Honoring children so they will honor you. This teaches interdependence. Assertiveness: Saying no and being heard. This teaches respect. Choices: Building self-esteem and willpower. This teaches commitment. Positive Intent: Turning resistance into cooperation. This teaches cooperation. Empathy: Handling the fussing and the fits. This teaches compassion. Consequences: Helping children learn from their mistakes. This teaches responsibility. Resouces: Easy to Love and Difficult to Discipline & Conscious Discipline by Becky Bailey. *SEE LINKS SECTION FOR HER WEBSITE IN ADDITION TO OTHER PARENTING RESOURCES