The words you use today become the voice your child carries for life.
Six short lessons. Six simple language changes you can try at dinner tonight — drawn from more than forty years of guiding preschool-aged children.
You love them deeply. You're tired. And you hear yourself saying it again.
- "How many times do I have to tell you?"
- "I won't talk to you until you stop yelling!"
- "Don't run!"
- "Pretty soon we're leaving."
None of those make you a bad parent. They're the phrases most of us grew up hearing, so they're the first ones that come out when we're stretched thin.
The trouble is they rarely work. The reminder turns into a repeat, the repeat turns into a raised voice, and by bedtime everyone feels a little worse than they did at breakfast.
Here's the encouraging part: small changes in wording make a big difference. Not scripts to memorize. A handful of simple changes that invite cooperation instead of resistance — and that start working the evening you use them.
Ending tonight's standoff is the small win.
Picture two sixteen-year-olds. Same neighborhood, similar schools, both raised by loving parents.
The first is bright but hesitant — quick to look to others for cues about how to feel. The second walks into a room knowing who they are. They talk easily with adults, handle disappointment without unraveling, and make thoughtful choices when no one is watching.
Neither family lacked love. The difference was built slowly, in thousands of ordinary moments — and most of it was built with words.
becomes the voice they hear inside later.
A child who hears "I'll talk to you when you're quiet" learns that calm is what opens the door. A child who is told what TO do, instead of what NOT to do, learns to picture the right choice. That's how a standard moves from outside your child to inside them.
Words That Work gives you six of those tools for starters.
Six lessons. Ten short videos, about five minutes each.
Each lesson teaches one change in how you speak — why it works, what it sounds like in real life, and how to make it your natural habit.
Practical Positives
Tell children what TO do. It gives them a clear picture of the better choice instead of the poor one.
I'll Talk to You When…
No lecture, no battle of wills. It invites calm instead of challenging your child — and when they settle, you keep your word and talk.
The Leading Question
A question invites your child to think it through — and a child who figures it out owns the answer.
Get Ready, Get Set
Specific timing gives a young brain the moment it needs to switch gears — and transitions get calmer.
The Perfect Choice
Two good options guide your child toward what you want while giving them a moment to pause and decide.
Tone: The Sound of Safety
Children respond to HOW something is said as much as WHAT is said. Tone is the sound of safety and trust — the secret sauce that makes the other five land.
Every lesson follows three simple rules
Positive
Say what TO do, not what NOT to do.
Accurate
"Five minutes" instead of "pretty soon." Children need specifics.
Consistent
The same patterns, day after day. That's where lasting change happens.
Built over forty years, one child at a time.
In 1983, Calvin and Carolyn Richert began developing Direction With Dignity at Kiddie Kampus, a small Montessori-inspired school in Overland Park, Kansas. What started as practical classroom tools grew, over four decades, into a complete framework for raising children who are calm, confident, and guided from the inside out.
Parents drove hours to attend the Richerts' six-week seminars. They published more than 120 magazine articles on parenting and the award-winning book, The THINK Space. Each idea was road-tested in their own classroom first. And together, they personally helped raise more than 400 children — and watched them grow into capable, grounded adults.
The results last.
"Our son spent several years at Kiddie Kampus, where DWD was a central part of his early education. Nearly four years into public school, we still see the lasting impact. His teachers consistently commend his empathy, his respect for peers and adults, and his determination to persevere through challenges."
Julie K."Being in sync, due to our DWD training, allowed us to direct our kids from the start in a peaceful and deliberate manner. We came to view conflict as opportunities to guide the growth of our children."
Brian M."Using DWD has truly transformed how we engage with our children. The structured routines and intentional communication brought a clarity and consistency to our home that had been missing."
Ken N.Words That Work
A mini course from Enlightened Parenting
- Six lessons in ten short videos — about five minutes each
- Six language tools you can use the same day
- Built on Calvin and Carolyn Richert's Direction With Dignity framework
- Instant access in your private member portal
- Watch on your phone — in the car line, on a lunch break, after bedtime
DAY
Questions parents ask
How much time does this take?
Each video runs about five minutes — under an hour for the whole course. You could watch it all in one evening, but most parents get more from one lesson a day, trying each one at home before moving to the next.
Will this work if my child is strong-willed?
This approach was developed with real children, not ideal ones. Strong-willed children often respond especially well, because the language invites them to think and choose rather than simply obey.
Is this the full Enlightened Parenting course?
No. Words That Work is a focused starting point — six of the language tools from the complete course. The full Enlightened Parenting course goes much deeper, with more than 100 lessons, companion guides, and bonus modules on bedtime, potty training, ADHD, and more.
How do I get access?
Right after checkout you'll receive an email with your login to the member portal. You can start the first lesson within minutes.
What if it isn't right for us?
Email us within 30 days and we'll refund your purchase in full. No hassle.
Your child is learning from every word you say. Let's make them count.
Six lessons. Six simple changes. A calmer evening tonight — and a stronger foundation for the person your child is becoming.
Start Tonight — $29Inspired by Direction With Dignity® by Calvin and Carolyn Richert.
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