Peaceful Parent Happy Kids Book

The book that has helped thousands of parents stop yelling and deepen their connection with their children.

Discover the science-based approach that has helped parents worldwide create calmer homes, stronger relationships, and lasting change.

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Over 400,000 copies sold • 3753+ Amazon reviews

This is how you become the parent you want to be.

Most parents want to be calm, patient, and connected. But in the stress of daily life, we fall into power struggles, frustration, and discipline that doesn’t actually work.

Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids shows you a different path — one where cooperation grows from connection, not control.

Praise for Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids

"If you want to feel more confident and peaceful as a parent, this is the book. Dr. Laura helps you understand what drives your child's behavior, and gives you the practical tools to change it."

- Elizabeth Pantley, author of The No-Cry Sleep Solution series

"Having Dr. Laura Markham on your bedside table is like having an angel on your shoulder, whispering useful secrets in your ear...{She} shows us how to replenish our spirits so we can give our kids the best of ourselves, not what’s left of ourselves."

- Jack Canfield (Co-creator of the Chicken Soup for the Soul books)

Laura Markham's approach is down-to-earth, filled with respect and compassion for children and parents, and most of all, it's effective.

- Dr. Lawrence Cohen, Author of Playful Parenting and The Opposite of Worry

Dr. Markham says the number one best thing a parent can do is control her emotions. We're the grown-ups, she reminds parents, and the kids are usually just acting like kids. The tone throughout is warm and fuzzy, but I know that her compassionate parenting ideas work. My husband is a master of these techniques, and I'm still learning.

- Parents.com (by Kristen Kemp)

Dr. Markham turns some commonly touted advice on its head, but not without first building a convincing case for her assertion that peaceful parenting is based upon unconditional love and connection. In this compassionate yet practical text, Markham deftly leads parents down a gentler, kinder path to raising emotionally intelligent and happier children.

- Publisher's Weekly

Dr. Laura Markham's work is practical, easy-to-apply and transformative. Get a cup of coffee, find a comfy chair, and be prepared to get great advice from a wise, new friend and fellow parent.

- Jacqueline Green, Host of the Great Parenting Show

You can stop yelling—
and become the parent you want to be.

Dr. Laura Markham’s approach is grounded in one simple truth:
when children feel safe and connected, they naturally want to cooperate.

This book shows you how to create that connection—
even in the moments when you’re triggered, overwhelmed, or not sure what to do.

What makes this book different?

Most parenting books focus on managing behavior. Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids shows you how to transform what’s underneath it.

Instead of quick fixes, you’ll learn how to regulate your own emotions, strengthen your relationship with your child, and guide behavior in ways that actually work—because they’re rooted in how children’s brains develop.

Grounded in neuroscience, child development, and decades of clinical experience, this book gives you a clear, practical path to:

Stay calm—even when you’re triggered.
Understand what’s driving your child’s behavior beneath the surface.
Help your child with big emotions so they can actually calm down.
Use emotion coaching to build your child’s emotional intelligence and self-regulation.
Set limits your child can hear—without power struggles.
Strengthen connection so your child wants to cooperate—and so you enjoy them more.

The result isn’t just better behavior. It’s a calmer home, a stronger connection, and a child who develops the inner skills for real self-discipline.

You don’t have to figure this out alone. This is your roadmap.

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3753+ Reviews on Amazon

What you’ll learn in this book

The core peaceful parenting tools that help families move from conflict to connection.

How to stop yelling — without becoming permissive.
How to set limits your child can actually hear.
How to help your child with anger, tears, and big emotions.
How to build connection that inspires cooperation.

How to move beyond punishment and power struggles.
How to raise children who are emotionally intelligent and resilient.
How to create more peace in daily family life.
How to become the parent you want to be,

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*Are you in the UK, India, Australia or anywhere else served by Amazon.co.uk? The British publisher has renamed the book Calm Parents, Happy Kids — but it’s the same book!

Which book is right for you?

Start where your family needs the most support right now.

Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids

Best for parents who want a calmer, more connected family life. Learn how to stop yelling, set limits that help children cooperate, and build the strong parent-child relationship that inspires emotional resilience.

Peaceful Parent, Happy Siblings

Best for families dealing with sibling rivalry, competition, and conflict. Learn how to reduce fighting, teach real conflict-resolution skills, and help siblings build a stronger relationship — including through the transition to a new baby.

Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids Workbook

Best for parents who want guided support putting peaceful parenting into practice. The Workbook helps you strengthen empathy, connection, and limit-setting while regulating your own emotions and working through your triggers.

What parents are saying

My son thanked me this morning for reading this book. He said I am turning into the mom he always wanted. "Even if it means you don't always get your way?" I asked. He replied, "It's easy to learn from my mistakes when you aren't yelling at me about them." I almost burst into tears. This book is amazing, and by reading it I showed him that it is never to late to change your ways.

- Shannon, mother of 8 yo boy

This isn't another "techniques" parenting book - it's a way of life. This book isn't another book trying to find creative ways to punish your kids, but it's instead about connecting and having a great relationship with your kids. It isn't about being a perfect parent...it's about being the type of parent you WANT to be. I'd recommend this to ANYONE with kids.

- V. Ward

Following your advice has meant our son rarely has tantrums anymore. Dr. Laura's advice really works and makes being a parent (and a child, I'd say) much better. I don't pretend I am perfect all the time, but she helps me to learn and do better by my son.

- Beatrice, mother of two year old boy

This book changed my relationship with my kids. It gave me a good insight that understanding kids instead of yelling at them changes them so much. My son is so much more cooperative since I started empathizing with him and connecting with him. Thank you Dr Laura.

- Christina, mother of 3

In my opinion, this is the book they should send you home from the hospital with. Every parent will find it useful. Every child will benefit from the methods promoted in this book.

- Ishmael, father

Absolutely love this book! I bought multiple copies to share with other parents searching for the right parenting method. Most of the mainstream best sellers did not feel right.

- B. Lukomski

"I wish I had found Dr. Laura's Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids book when my son was an infant. I was feeling overwhelmed with my strong willed/high emotional needs child. Yelling and spanking were being suggested to me and it didn't feel right and it wasn't working! Now I have the tools to work with my son in a way that doesn't ask me to harden my heart and just become more strict. My husband has also completely jumped on board and I am so in love with all the positive changes he has made. Empathic limits has strengthened our entire family relationship. Do yourself and your children a favor and read this book. Life changing!"

- Aarana

Dr. Laura's work has profoundly changed my parenting...I recommend it to anyone who was raised in a home where they were yelled at and/or have become yellers themselves. There is a better, more effective way to relate to and guide our children. The title really says it all.

- April

The book has many ideas that can help parents stop yelling and over-reacting and really start parenting calmly and effectively, even during stressful situations. From meltdowns and power struggles to outlining more positive ways to deal with unacceptable behavior, the book is a fantastic resource for parents that want to really enjoy parenting and have a house full of truly happy children.

- Ariadne

Easy read, age appropriate examples of various techniques to help you model dialogue with your child, and she speaks to the research/psychology/neurological reasoning behind it all. A must read!

- Fizzy, Mother of 4 year old

“Dr. Laura Markham is America’s parenting coach”

— Philadelphia Weekly

Meet Dr. Laura Markham

Dr. Laura Markham trained as a Clinical Psychologist at Columbia University and is the founder of PeacefulParentHappyKids.com.

She translates neuroscience, child development, and decades of clinical experience into practical tools that help parents create calmer homes, stronger relationships, and emotionally healthy children. She's also a mom, so she understands kids — and parents!

More about Dr. Laura

Want deeper support?

Many parents begin with the book and then go deeper with the Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids Course.

Get step-by-step support putting these ideas into practice — and receive your copy of the book free when you join.

Learn More

Parents tell me this book lives on their nightstand

Because even reading a few pages helps them feel steadier — more able to handle whatever the next day brings. Over time, they find themselves yelling less, connecting more, and raising a child who feels safe and understood. And it gives you a clear path forward — one small moment at a time.

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