Barbara Coloroso

Barbara Coloroso is an internationally recognized author and speaker in the fields of parenting, teaching, school discipline, and conflict resolution. Her work focuses on developing ethical children through positive parenting approaches, and she has written several influential books including "Kids Are Worth It!" and "The Bully, the Bullied, and the Bystander." As a former Franciscan nun and teacher, Coloroso developed her educational philosophy through direct classroom experience and extensive study of child development. Her teaching model emphasizes three core principles: treating kids with respect, giving them responsibility, and teaching them critical life skills. Coloroso's approach to discipline and child-rearing rejects both permissive and authoritarian methods in favor of what she terms "inner discipline." Her work has been particularly influential in addressing bullying in schools, with her writings providing practical strategies for parents, teachers, and students to combat destructive behaviors. Her concepts and methodologies have been adopted by parents, schools, and organizations across North America and internationally. Coloroso continues to conduct workshops and speaking engagements, addressing topics such as positive parenting, teaching responsibility, and building communities of respect.

Parents and educators consistently rate Coloroso's books 4+ out of 5 stars across platforms, particularly valuing her practical discipline strategies and clear explanations of child development concepts. What readers liked: - Real-world examples that demonstrate how to apply concepts - Balance between theory and actionable advice - Accessible writing style that breaks down complex topics - Focus on building kids' self-discipline rather than punishment - Specific scripts and phrases to use with children What readers disliked: - Some repetition across different books - Examples can feel dated in newer editions - Limited coverage of special needs children - Some find the tone preachy or idealistic Ratings: Amazon: "Kids Are Worth It!" (4.6/5 from 312 reviews) Goodreads: "The Bully, Bullied and Bystander" (4.1/5 from 1,847 ratings) "Parents consistently report that her methods work," notes one Amazon reviewer. "Finally, practical solutions without compromising values," writes another.

Kids Are Worth It!: Giving Your Child the Gift of Inner Discipline Explains a parenting approach focused on developing children's inner discipline and ethical behavior rather than using punishment or reward systems.

The Bully, the Bullied, and the Bystander: From Preschool to High School - How Parents and Teachers Can Help Break the Cycle of Violence Examines the dynamics of bullying behavior and provides specific strategies for addressing and preventing bullying in schools and communities.

Just Because It's Not Wrong Doesn't Make It Right: Teaching Kids to Think and Act Ethically Outlines methods for helping children develop ethical thinking and behavior through everyday situations and challenges.

Parenting Through Crisis: Helping Kids in Times of Loss, Grief, and Change Addresses how parents can help children cope with difficult life changes, trauma, and loss while maintaining emotional stability.

Extraordinary Evil: A Brief History of Genocide Analyzes the social and psychological factors that enable genocide, connecting schoolyard bullying to larger-scale societal violence.

Alfie Kohn writes about parenting and education with a focus on moving away from rewards and punishments. His books examine how to raise children through unconditional support and collaborative problem-solving approaches.

Adele Faber provides practical communication strategies for parent-child relationships based on respectful dialogue. Her work with Elaine Mazlish established core techniques for effective parent-child interactions that parallel Coloroso's emphasis on dignity and mutual respect.

Ross Greene developed the Collaborative & Proactive Solutions model for working with challenging children through understanding and addressing underlying causes. His approach focuses on problem-solving partnerships between adults and children, emphasizing skill development over conventional discipline.

Jane Nelsen created the Positive Discipline model that emphasizes mutual respect and teaching life skills through natural consequences. Her work provides tools for developing capability and responsibility in children while maintaining clear boundaries.

Michele Borba focuses on character development and bullying prevention in children through empathy-based approaches. Her research-based methods address social-emotional learning and moral intelligence development in educational settings.