About - Teaching Self-Government

TSG Vision

Teaching Self-Government frees families from emotional bondage by inspiring parents to create family environments centered around calm, self-governed and unified relationships; thereby empowering these families to be a great impact for good in the world.

TSG Mission

Through courses, trainings, mentoring, workshops and materials, Teaching Self-Government mentors help parents analyze family relationships and problem solve difficult situations by teaching principles of self-government, the structure of a unified family atmosphere, and the tools and skills needed for self-mastery,personal freedom, and family unity.

About Nicholeen

Nicholeen Peck is a wife, mother of four, and grandmother who has spent decades helping families around the world find more peace at home and learning self-mastery. She is the founder of Teaching Self-Government and a global advocate for strong families, known for her calm, principle-based approach to parenting and communication.

Her journey began in her own living room, first as a mother and then as a foster parent to troubled teens, where she developed a system based on self-government, calmness, and honest, respectful communication. In 2009, her approach gained international attention when the BBC featured her family in a documentary called The Worlds Strictest Parents, where two rebellious British teens transformed in just eight days under her care. Since then, Nicholeen has shared her message on TV and radio, through books and articles, and in person with audiences across six continents.

Nicholeen is also a YouTuber and podcaster, sharing real-life parenting tips and heartfelt encouragement with families each week. She is the author of several books including Parenting a House United, Roles, the 4 Basic Skills Children’s Books, The Power of Calm, The Calm Crew children’s book set, Popular Parenting Methods, and more. Her work has been translated into Spanish, Chinese, and Japanese.

In addition to mentoring thousands of families, Nicholeen serves as President of the Worldwide Organization for Women, is an approved United Nations consultant on family issues and is a member of the House of Representatives. But no matter how far her message travels, she says her most important work is still at home, building strong relationships with her own children and grandchildren.

What People are Saying about Teaching Self-Government

We’ve read your book, and listened to a talk! My husband and I have started implementing some of your techniques, and our house has been so different! …my oldest son told me yesterday that he wishes I would stop listening to THAT lady, because he’s sick of being calm! I asked him if he would rather have yelling in the house, and he agreed that this was much better! We (myself and my 6 children!) actually made cookies yesterday, and for once it was a GOOD experience!! 🙂 So thank you! We’re still learning… 🙂

- Julianne

I came back from a homeschooling convention where I heardNicholeen speak on “The Power of Calm”, and I immediately implemented what she thought. Forty-eight hours into being home, my daughter said, “Mom, you’ve really changed since you came back. You haven’t yelled at me once. I really like that. You’re doing a great job.” This was coming from my strong-willed child. The reason I went to Nicholeen’s session in the first place. And she was telling me how I had changed. It’s been GREAT.

- Nerissa

I just wanted to thank you for your book on parenting. My husband and I have been slowly going through it together and implementing the skills. Then a little over a week ago I had to go on bed rest for early contractions with my pregnancy (and this never happened with my other three pregnancies). This has really put these skills we are learning to a test and I’m happy to say that because of these skills that we are learning as parents and teaching to our children this has gone so much smoother than it would have otherwise. I can’t get up and help my children with so many things, but because they have learned the five steps to following instruction they are much more able to do things themselves. And because I won’t address any issue until people are calm it keeps the level of frustration low even with these major changes in our daily life.

- Maria Farb

I learned of the book, House United: Teaching Self-Government through a friend of my mom, and it bloomed from there. Nicholeen’s book is stuffed full of golden nuggets and helpful tips for any parenting situation. I read this book regularly now, and I will reference this book for many, many years to come.

It is that good.

Nicholeen has given me a priceless gift. This powerful knowledge is changing the hearts of my family, including mine.

- Hayley Willoughby

The text about communication written by Nicholeen is found very impressive and helping tool for those who are working in family life. We can also apply the same method as she applied on Hannah and James. We can promote and focus on to be passive rather than aggressive. We husband and wife have decided to be always passive not aggressive in any situation within the family or in the public.

- Younas Martin & Martha

I have really appreciated the things that I have learned from teaching self government. The greatest part about it, is that it is so easy to apply to your life. It gives you a new vocabulary that unites the family in loving discipline, as well as ammunition when you are at your wits end. Because of teaching self government, I have found myself saying in my mind “be calm” and then turning to my kids and calmly explaining the situation to them, telling them why it was not appropriate, and instructing them how they could have done things different. This has been invaluable in my life, and I am so grateful to have found it.

- Lindy McKay