Parenting Tip: Using Storytelling for Discipline

I recently read an article that intrigued me about a way to work with parenting skills on children in teaching them ways to control their anger. Too often I find that popular parenting books tend to focus on the behavior of the child and what a parent can do to change that behavior. This philosophy can often lead to reinforcing parents that they can control their children, and therefore control the reactions their children have. I've found that when a parent spends all their time and energy focusing on their child, they lose some necessary self-reflection about how they too might be influencing the behavior. As a parent, 80-90% of the focus should be on you and what you are modeling, 10-20% on how the child is responding to what you showing.

"The mom was executing a powerful parenting tool to teach her child how to control his anger — and one of the most intriguing parenting strategies I've come across. "With little kids, you often think they're pushing your buttons, but that's not what's going on. They're upset about something, and you have to figure out what it is."
-NPR Article "How Inuit Parents Teach Kids to Control Their Anger"

This article analyzed a different culture than the U.S, the Inuit culture, particularly observing the way they parented. I think they highlighted the Inuit culture because they are known for being a peaceful society, children and adults. The writer of the article stated that the number one rule in their culture across the board was that they believe in not yelling or shouting at small children.

"There is no raising your voice to children, it is seen as demeaning, as though the adult is having a tantrum."

Well when you cannot yell or use your tone to demonstrate that you mean business, what is left to use as a skill? Their solution to discipline?.....They use storytelling.