My name is Meg Meeker, and I’m a pediatrician, parenting expert and mother of four grown children. I’ve spent 30 years studying parenting, writing books and working with families across the country to help parents feel stronger and more in control. But I have a confession to make.

When I was a young parent, I was TERRIFIED of disciplining my kids. No one gives you a handbook when you become a parent. I remember being in the recovery room after giving birth while I was still in medical school. My doctor came in to check on me, and after I told him I was entering the medical field myself he said, “Oh, that’s great. You know what to do then. Best of luck!” and left the room.

I wanted to scream after him, “Wait! I’m not ready for this!” Medical school had taught me about children, but not how to parent them. I felt so alone.

Now, after years as a pediatrician and parent, I’m committed to tackling fear-based parenting for good. There might not be a handbook to parenting, but that doesn’t mean we have to do it alone. The first step to taking the fear out of parenting, is…