Parenting Skills Curriculum

A 12-step core curriculum (plus 4 optional extension steps) for raising kids without punishment, rewards, or praise — using connection, co-regulation, and descriptive noticing instead. Read about why I built this.

Designed for: A family with 2-year-old twins and a 6-year-old, with neurodivergent (ND) considerations baked in throughout.

Quick Start

1. Tonight: Read only "The One Thing" box in Step 1 and write "Flooded or receptive?" on a sticky note.
2. Start with Step 1. Don't skip ahead.
3. Pick one track. Each step has 3 tracks. If you can only do one, pick the Child Skill track.
4. Stay as long as you need. Move to the next step when you're at ~70%, not 100%.

Curriculum Steps

Companion Guides

• Buddhist Lens: Optional Deepening
• Co-Parenting: When You're Not on the Same Page
• When Other Adults Parent Differently
• FAQ: Common Questions
• Parenting Curriculum Skill Map
• Waldorf Lens: Optional Deepening
• 🚨 EMERGENCY MODE
• 6-Step Compact Path

Quick Reference Cards

Printable one-pagers for the fridge.

• Step 1 Quick Reference Card
• Step 2 Quick Reference Card
• Step 3 Quick Reference Card
• Step 4 Quick Reference Card
• Step 5 Quick Reference Card
• Step 6 Quick Reference Card
• Step 7 Quick Reference Card
• Step 8 Quick Reference Card
• Step 9 Quick Reference Card
• Step 10 Quick Reference Card
• Step 11 Quick Reference Card
• Step 12 Quick Reference Card
• Step 13 Quick Reference Card
• Step 14 Quick Reference Card
• Step 15 Quick Reference Card
• Step 16 Quick Reference Card

What Makes This Curriculum Different

No Praise, Rewards, or Time-Out

Traditional programs use labeled praise, sticker charts, and time-out. This curriculum replaces them with:

• Descriptive noticing instead of "Good job!" — describe what you see
• Natural outcomes instead of rewards/consequences — let reality teach
• Time-in and co-regulation instead of time-out — stay with them during big feelings

ND-First Design

Every step includes "ND Adaptation" sections for kids with autism, ADHD, sensory differences, PDA profiles — and for parents with ND brains too.

Built for Overwhelmed Parents

Each step has:

• "The One Thing" — If you read nothing else, read this
• "If you only have..." — 10-second, 1-minute, and 30-minute options
• Quick Reference Card — Printable one-pager
• "Good enough" framing — Permission to do less and still count it

Expect the full curriculum to take 6-9 months, not 12 calendar weeks. That's not failure — that's realistic pacing for a family with young kids.