Active Parenting is a comprehensive parenting program helping parents of kids ages 5 to 12 raise responsible, cooperative children who can resist negative peer pressure and thrive. The Active Parenting model is largely based upon the theories of Alfred Adler and Rudolf Dreikurs known as “Adlerian psychology.” These theories include the importance of mutual respect between people, and an emphasis on cognitive-behavioral approaches to change, personal choice, and responsibility. Parenting skills that derive from these theories and that are taught in Active Parenting are described as an “authoritative approach” (as opposed to autocratic or permissive), and include such methods as natural and logical consequences, recognizing the goals of behavior, family meetings and problem-solving skills, the importance of encouragement, and much more.

Dr. Popkin has extended the Adlerian model, creating specific methods designed to support and prepare families through “every stage, every step” of their child’s development. These include such tools as the “think-feel-do” cycle, the positive and negative approaches to the the four goals of behavior, the FLAC (Feelings, Limits, Alternatives, Consequences) method of discipline, the importance of relationship building through “family enrichment activities and the self-esteem spiral.”

In addition, Active Parenting includes communication theory evolving from the work of Carl Rogers, Robert Carkuff, and others that are used to teach active listening, empathy for others, feeling recognition, and problem-solving. These skills are taught under the title “Active Communication” and are the perfect complement to the cognitive-behavioral model of Adlerian psychology.