A good relationship with your children gets you through the hard times and creates more frequent good times. It helps you listen to, learn from, and meet the unique needs of your growing child. It doesn't change your kid's personality, but it makes it easier for you to influence him, so he's more cooperative and discipline isn't as much of a challenge.

What's different about Connection Parenting is that it's about the relationship with your child, rather than a set of "skills" to make you a better parent. You're a fine parent the way you are, if you're in touch with your natural parenting instincts.

Pregnancy.org is pleased to introduce Laura Markham, Ph.D., a "Connection Parenting" expert who specializes in helping families nurture the parent-child bonds that protect today's kids. Her common-sense advice gives parents the inspiration and self-confidence they need to create a family culture where everyone flourishes and even the teenager treasures family time. In addition to answers questions from email, Laura joins us every other Wednesday for a live chat event.

Dr. Laura Markham is an internationally active Clinical Psychologist, web-site editor and author who specializes in strengthening the parent-child bonds that protect kids in today's turbulent world.

Dr. Markham edits the website YourParentingSolutions.com, which offers inspiration, coping strategies, and solutions that work for real parents, all backed up by the latest psychological research. Her new book, SECRETS OF HAPPY PARENTS: 30 Keys to Keep Your Family Connected in Turbulent Times, will be released in March 2008.

Dr. Markham received her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Columbia University in New York. She's held many challenging jobs, including running publishing companies with 100 employees, serving on corporate boards and coaching business leaders, as well as counseling families and children. Bottom line, she says, "Raising children is the hardest, and most rewarding, work in the world." Dr. Markham lives in New York, with her husband, 11-year-old daughter, and 15-year-old son.

We invite you to visit Laura's website. We're excited to have her on board!