From My Own Aha! Moment to Yours: Welcoming Dr. Laura Markham
Our family, 2016.
By Marie-Aude Belanger Pelletier, WSP Community Engagement and Events Manager
When my husband and I moved from Québec, Canada to California, in 2016, with two young children, I was still searching for a parenting approach that felt like a true fit for our family’s values. I knew the kind of parent I wanted to be: warm, intentional, grounded, but I was still looking for a way (and let’s be real, very concrete ways) to actually live that out with calm and confidence.
Shortly after arriving, I met a fellow French-Canadian mom, who had settled in California with her family of five, a few years before us. They were familiar with Waldorf education, and although her kids were not yet school-aged, her home and parenting style were deeply rooted in Waldorf principles.
We quickly became friends, and I was struck by a parenting style I had never quite seen before. She consistently chose to connect with her children before stepping in to correct them, guiding them in a way that invited cooperation rather than conflict. Her kids were naturally highly included in the family’s daily life, helping with tasks that felt perfectly suited to their age. There was a calm and harmony in their home that impressed me; not because they avoided the usual family chaos (they had plenty of that!) but because even amid the messiness, that sense of warmth, deep connection, and balance shone through.
It was through this friend that I first heard about Dr. Laura Markham and Aha! Parenting, and that introduction became a turning point for me.
Through Dr. Markham’s books and her online parenting series, I began to understand my role as a parent in a new way; how to nurture healthy, whole-child growth while staying grounded. Three lessons from her work still guide me every day:
Prioritize the connection: When we create a strong connection first, discipline becomes less about control and more about guiding.
Empower rather than force: Children thrive when they feel heard and capable, not when they’re pushed or bribed.
The importance of self-care: Filling our own cup isn’t indulgence; it's a parenting strategy. When we carve out time to refuel, we’re better able to nurture our kids. Period.
So, when the opportunity came to bring Dr. Markham directly to our community, I didn't hesitate for a second…
Join us for Dr. Laura Markham Live, online!
We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Laura Markham for a live online talk on Monday, March 16, 4:30–6:00 pm:
“How to Help Kids WANT to Cooperate, Without Yelling, Threats, Bribes, or Punishment.”
This is a wonderful chance for our WSP community, and friends beyond our school, to explore her practical, heart-centered approach to parenting and discover tools that truly support family life.
Dr. Markham’s work has inspired many Waldorf communities around the country, and I’m excited for us to experience her insights together. Whether you’re already familiar with her books, “Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids! How to Stop Yelling and Start Connecting” and “Peaceful Parent, Happy Siblings” or hearing her name for the first time, I think you’ll find her perspective both grounding and refreshing.
I hope you’ll join us, and feel free to invite friends or relatives who might benefit from this conversation.
