I didn't know how blessed I would be after attending one of your seminar series. These techniques will be valuable for years to come. So many times you have put the words I needed into my mouth. They are thoughtful, caring, child-centered words that help children learn about life in little baby steps. I have shared your techniques with colleagues, friends and family. I reference your QuikTips articles frequently when sharing these ideas.
Michelle Hayward - Independence, MO
Since attending your DWD Seminar (twice), we have used many of the techniques with great success.
As a family physician, I (William) have also found the teachings of DWD valuable in counseling parents. In an ideal world, this course would be a requirement (for parents). Parenting is a continual challenge and we are always looking for ways to improve our skills to benefit our children. We thank Calvin and Carolyn for sharing their experience and expertise through their work.
Dr. William & Debbie Bednar - Liberty, MO
Please also watch these personal Video Testimonials from alumni.
Notes from Fans and Passers-By
I found DWD to be chock full of effective strategy and tactics to use in the never-ending job of disciplining children. I used to teach in the Shawnee Mission school district and I wish I had been able to take DWD while I was teaching. I attended a lot of inservice programs, and many didn't offer the possibilities for application that I hoped for. DWD, on the other hand, is extremely relevant and useful. It also infected me with a genuine desire to approach discipline within a framework of love.
Cathy - Leawood
Dear Cal and Carolyn, I was so glad to get your newsletter. I was feeling lost for a bit when I didn't get the regular news and tips. It is wonderful to have you back online. Thank you for that. You may remember I have three grandchildren with ADHD that live with me and were driving me berzerk at the time I took your class. What a blessing it was to hear about your training classes at just the right time. I do not know how I could have continued caring for the children without your wonderful guidance. I have never met anyone who is as devoted to children's futures as you are. I appreciated your classes so much because they made me look at myself as a trainer. Even if you have a good heart and want to be happy, it is practically impossible to escape repeating the training processes your parents used. Kindness is so much better as a management tool than anger, belittling, sarcasm or frustration. What a better life parents have when they use tools that bring positive results. I have more personal peace, satisfaction, and fulfillment than I ever imagined I could have. (And this year I am home schooling to all three!) Thank you again for the classroom instruction and the wonderful books, articles, and placemats (which I have on my desk at all times). These are a constant reminders of 'how to'. The instruction you have given us gets the information in the head: then, building a 'day to day' usage of it begins to change the heart of the parent. You can see that it really works and that it then provides reason for a more peaceful existence through a more positive outlook that is necessary to move our little family along to a much happier future. I cannot thank you enough for the privilege it has been to gain the 'heritage' you have given me. If there is ever anything a family can do to help themselves, this is the most worthwhile course I have ever seen offered. I wish you all the very best in the future and am anxious for your newsletters again. We love you guys,
Jean - Overland Park, KS
My husband and I just finished the five-week course of Discipline Without Damage parenting seminar offered in Overland Park. We had read the monthly column in the parenting newsletter "Mother and Child Reunion" and thought many of their ideas were very good. We got a lot out of the course. They present the principle of Positive Parenting, eliminating "punishment" (as the primary motivator for change) and instead focus on teaching the child better behavior for the future. (I'm also going to apply for CEU's for occupational therapy!) Anyway, I just wanted to let the group know that it was a very valuable, worthwhile class for us. We wish we would have taken it when Danielle was even younger. Principles they teach can start with kids as young as 12 - 18 months. They have a comprehensive website with articles and much information. Check it out!
Brenda - Prairie Village
I was surfing the net when I came across your site and I was captured by the good advice and teaching on Child displine. I was really impressed by all you are doing; please keep it up. I am going to try out the tips on how to build confidence in my kids. Thanks again, and God bless!
Paul - Kampala
I really liked your "Merry Christmas" message. It's a nice reminder of what Christmas is all about.
Sue Jones - Overland Park, KS
I have recently had the privilege of viewing some of your articles in the Mother and Child Reunion Magazine. After reading several of your articles, I noticed your website, which I have just spent the last few hours reading. I have gained some insight! Praise the Lord, there might be a light at the end of the tunnel after all! However, I'm dealing with some issues with my son ..., that have me feeling like a total failure....My son and I have been in counseling for over two months now, and while I can see a significant change, I still worry that I'm not doing all that I can... in accepting, processing and dealing with the issues that seem to be knocking both of us flat on our behinds. There are so many different issues...I have noticed a book about fathers and daughters, and I was wondering if there was a book for mothers and sons? I have also recently read such books as: The Strong Family & Creative Discipline. These books were located in my Church Library. I have also recently attended the seminar, Smart Discipline, and have been increasingly encouraged...I would like your advice on how I can come through this time period with my sanity intact. Thank You.
Marci Rene' Fox - Springfield
I attended your workshop on the "Power of Quiet" at the I Care Conference this past weekend. Just wanted to let you know I really enjoyed it and found it quite helpful.
Amy
I am in your class now and I wanted to share with you a situation that happened last night. Had I not been taken your class it would not have turned out differently; before we would have all been frustrated and nothing would have been accomplished except hurt and a ruined evening! Last night, as my son and I were getting home he noticed the neighbor kids playing outside (the parents frequently let their kids play outside with NO supervision-which I won't allow) and asked if he could go play with them. I said after dinner, you may ask your friends if they would like to come over here and play. He began whining and proceeded into a fit right in the front yard. I gently picked him up (fit and all) and took him in the house and told him" Let's go to the think space." He resisted but went in there still whining and crying. After about five minutes HE told me he was ready to talk. He ate his dinner calmly, we talked about what happened and why I did what I did. Before this class we would have had a negative night.
Erin S. - Raytown
Dear Cal and Carolyn, I attended the "I CARE" Conference held today, and I just want to tell you it was the greatest thing that I have ever been to. I really enjoyed the both of you. You are great people. I learned a lot and have already started using some of your techniques at home with my family. I am thankful to have been a part of this today and hope to some day in the future be able to listen to more of your insights and speak with you. Thank You So Much.
Tammy Corriveau - Excelsior Springs
Thank you Cal & Carolyn for giving me a whole new insight into releasing the "power struggle" from parenthood. You're wonderful!
Dagmar - Eudora
Hello Calvin and Carolyn, Just wanted to say hello and thank you for all your work. I can say that it has helped me be a better parent and a better person and I appreciate your hard work and all the help you've given me and my family. I hope you are having a good summer. We are. We just got back from a long trip from KC to Denver to Mt. Rushmore to Minnesota. Recently I've been reading some excellent Parenting/child psychology books and want to share them with you. I just finished Queen Bees and Wannabes by Rosalind Wiseman and Odd Girl Out by Rachel Simmons. Right now I'm reading Real Boys by William Pollack, Ph.D. The next three books on my list to read are Dads and Daughters by Joe Kelly, Yes, Your Teen is Crazy. . . by Michael J. Bradley, Carroll O'Connor and finally Kids are Worth it by Barbara Colorosso. I also want to take your course again this fall or whenever the next one starts, since I just missed the one.
Andy Wefald - Overland Park
Cal and Carolyn, Thank you for all of your wonderful insight!
Laura McCandless
Hello Calvin and Carolyn, I finished Dads and Daughters, by Joe Kelly and I highly recommend it to any Dads with daughters. I consider it required reading for Dads with daughters and it's a good starting place for reading and learning about being a good father. One of the suggestions in it is to set aside 15 minutes each week with your daughter for a real conversation, then time the amount of time you each spend talking. At the end add up your times and see how much you each talked. Try to get to the point where you, as the Dad, only talk for 5 of the 15 minutes. Listening is the key! I'm almost done with Kids Are Worth It! by Barbara Coloroso and it is also very good and I also consider it required reading for ALL parents! I think you would both like it very much too. There are similarities to Jim Fay's material and she offers lots of very good tips on bed time, money management, chores, allowance, mealtime, sibling fighting, teaching your kids HOW to think and not what to think, letting your kids develop.
Andy Wefald - Overland Park
Please also watch these personal Video Testimonials from alumni.
