SOCIAL SCIENCES

13 Things Mentally Strong Parents Don't Do: Raising Self-Assured Children and Training Their Brains for a Life of Happiness, Meaning, and Success

by Amy Morin
Morrow. Sept. 2017. 352p. ISBN 9780062697585. pap. $18; ebk. ISBN 9780062565747. CHILD REARING
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Social worker and psychotherapist Morin delivers an in-through-the-out-door approach to building mental muscle by presenting 13 parenting behaviors to avoid. She first outlines three components of psychological strength (thoughts, behaviors, and emotions) that will help youngsters deal with life's challenges. The 13 no-nos for parents include confusing discipline and punishment, expecting perfection, letting children avoid responsibility, making their kids the center of the universe, allow fear to dictate their choices, among others. Chapters conclude with follow-up questions that address issues in both one's personal and parenting life. "Stage moms" and "sports dads" are asked to look deep and consider that kids can handle more than you think and that "pain is not the enemy."
VERDICT Morin's strategies support long-term goals. Her advice, while lengthy, is sound and can be applied to children of any age. Recommended.
Reviewed by Julianne Smith , Jun 15, 2017
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