Parenting Guru Talks Calmer, Happier Parenting Tips

Your parental blues could begin with volcanic kid tantrum and evolve into excessive nagging or yelling. Noël Janis-Norton knows how to solve this with her calmer, easier parenting methods.

The educator has more than 40 years experience in tutoring parents, offering seminars and home consultations in the United Kingdom and in Southern California – where she works with many Los Angeles County parents.

“I love coming to this area and I do lots of consultations, seminars and talks,” Janis-Norton told Patch.

This parenting guru is a mother, foster parent and grandmother. She's armed with simple parenting steps to overcome frustrations and cut the yelling.

“The most frustrating part of parenting, and this is what every parent says, is how parents have to repeat, remind and nag kids in order for the children to do what are supposed to do,” Janis-Norton said. 

Parents often react in a negative way, pretending not to hear their child, refusing or ignoring the tantrums, she said. 

That’s where her biggest tool comes in: descriptive praise, a technique that describes why a child should be praised.

Janis-Norton’s breathe-easy method tells parents to stop nagging or giving attention to kids’ negative behavior. She recommends parents give attention to positive behavior that describes the child’s actions and isn’t just vague terms, including “awesome,” “great job” or “I’m proud of you.” 

For example, if two kids are playing together, instead of saying, ‘Oh kids you play so well together,’ you should say, ‘you’re playing so well with your brother or sister and you haven’t had any arguments for 15 minutes,’ Janis-Norton described.  

The ultimate goal is to build confidence, self-esteem and stop destructive behaviors, including screaming, throwing things or kids who fire insults, she said.

“It brings out the best in the children and brings the best out of the parent, too,"

Local parents have heard her speak at Occidental College, , , , , Colonial House Preschool, , , , and .

Educators and even celebrities have recommended Janis-Norton’s methods.

Two-time Academy Award nominee Helena Bonham Carter, who has two sons with partner, director Tim Burton, plugged Janis-Norton’s descriptive praise method on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno in February.

To learn the simple steps to calmer, easier parenting you can sign up for Janis-Norton’s workshop on Sunday, Oct. 23 or Sunday, Nov. 6 from 1 to 6 p.m. at Kids Klub, 380. S. Raymond Ave. in Pasadena.

To sign up for a workshop or check out Janis-Norton’s CDs or DVDs on the Calmer, Easier, Happier Parenting website.