Humanistic Parenting

The Humanist approach to parenting is a compassionate and respectful approach to raising children. It is the application of Humanist values and principles to the job of parenting.

The starting point of this approach to parenting is to respect your child for the individual they are. We treat young people the same way we treat all other humans: compassionately, ethically and responsibly.

A Humanist views their job as a parent as that of a teacher. We recognize that our children are autonomous individuals. Our job is not to dictate their behavior, but rather to teach them to make good decisions for themselves and we teach them the life skills they need to be successful in the world. After all, you aren't going to be there with them when they are deciding whether to do drugs or have sex. They need to be prepared to make those decisions for themselves.

A Humanist parent strives to raise a child who is chooses to do the right thing because they understand their actions have consequences and they want to make good decisions that will benefit themselves and those around them?

The time to teach your kid the skills they need to succeed in life is now!

Additional Resources You Might Find Useful

In addition to the books and programs offered by Jennifer, there are a variety of other Humanistic Parenting resources available to you on the web.

Be sure to sign up for my mailing list to keep up with all that is happening in the world of Humanistic Parenting.

Websites:

• The Kochhar Humanist Education Center - offers life long learning resources for all age groups. (Jennifer is a Kochhar Humanist Educator)

• American Humanist Association Childhood Education Manual - on establishing education programs for children - best practices

• American Humanist Association - resources for Humanist parents

Books:

Dale McGowan - Raising Freethinkers - excellent book for learning specific ways you can encouraging thinking in your child. Very comprehensive to just about any situation you will find yourself in. I highly recommend this book.

Humanism for Parents - this is a great book. Even though it is geared towards non-religious parents, it still lays out the principles of Humanist parenting quite well and can provide you with helpful ideas on how to provide for the needs of your increasingly independant child.

You Learn by Living by Eleanor Roosevelt - excellent book - must read for Humanist parents. Talks about raising children and lessons learned.

Other Resources:

Parenting Videos from Greater Good

Quotes about Humanism from the British Humanist Association