While the concept of being an ally to your child is fairly new, the foundation of child rights and respectful parenting is well established. Here are some of our favourite resources to equip you in being an ally to your child and learning about the rights of the children you interact with.

Poster – The United Nations Rights of the Child – in Child Friendly Language

Books – on child rights

I Have the Right to Be a Child
by Alain Serres, Aurélia Fronty & Helen Mixter
A brilliantly readable children’s book that is a must have for homes, libraries and classrooms elsewhere. It puts the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child into terms that are real and understandable for our young friends.

Parenting For Social Change: Transform Childhood, Transform The World
Teresa Graham Brett
Teresa Graham Brett is an academic and her book tackles what it means to be a rights respecting parent in a robust yet relatable way. It is confronting and liberating all in one, a primer for being a Parent Ally. 

Parenting for a Peaceful World
Robin Grille
Psychotherapist Robin Grille takes a look through history and draws parallels between mainstream parenting practice and conflict and violence on a societal level. Fascinating and convincing and hopeful!

Escape From Childhood
John Holt
John Holt presents a persuasive argument for extending the full plethora of rights to children. Using everyday examples of behaviour and communication Holt asks his readers to take a fresh look at the harmful institution of childhood.

Child Rights: towards social justice
Anne Smith
Professor Anne Smith brings an academic approach to the movement of child rights in recent years. She brings important insight to the areas that are evolving rapidly, and how policy can continue to honour the rights of children. 

Books – on parenting in the Parent Allies way

Unconditional Parenting: Moving from Rewards and Punishments to Love and Reason
Alfie Kohn
Alfie Kohn provides all the research parents need to move from the old model of coercion, to a new model of consensual living. Convincing and practical, one to give to the wider family. 

How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk
Adele Faber & Elaine Mazlish
This is a classic for a reason! It is immediately actionable and parents will be set on a course of respectful communication from the first pages. 

Letting Go as Children Grow: From Early Intimacy to Full Independence – A Parent’s Guide
Deborah Jackson
This little known book is a wonderful introduction to the concept of giving our children space to bloom. A perfect gift for new parents who haven’t considered what role they might like to play in their children’s lives yet. 

Raising Our Children, Raising Ourselves
Naomi Aldort
A compassionate and compelling resources for moving into more connected, less coercive, parenting practice using stories from different families around the world.

Non Violent Communication – a language of life
Marshall Rosenberg
This incredible book is a life changer and a world changer. It will inspire you to embrace truly peaceful communication within your family, your workplace and your whole world.

Dance with me in the heart
Pennie Brownlee
A small, easy to read book with a wonderful perspective on childhood and lots of practical ways to allow your child to blossom. 

Blogs

10 habits that infringe on the rights of children and how to change them by Lulastic
I am pro-child by Happiness is Here
The routine shaming of children by Parent Allies
Raising entitled children by Jitterberry
Adultism by Lulastic
The dehumanisation of children by Racheous
20 ways to end childism by Happiness is Here
Attachment parenting is a social justice movement by Sophie Christophy
26 things to say to kids instead of “stop” and other commands by Sacraparental

Other Digital Resources

Inner Child Journey Digital Resource
with Robin Grille
Committing to our Inner Work is one of the principles of being a Parent Ally.  Taking an online Inner Child journey is one way we can access some of the baggage we are bringing into our parenting. 

Podcast on child rights, Parent Allies and unschooling
with Pam Laricchia and Lucy Aitkenread
An invitation to all parents to step in to their role of being an ally to their child.