Books

About the Book

"My kid is smart, but..."
 
It takes more than school smarts to build a fulfilling life.  In fact, many bright children face special challenges:
    - Some are driven by perfectionism;
    - Some are afraid of effort, because they’re used to instant success;
    - Some routinely butt heads with authority figures;
    - Some struggle to get along with their peers;
    - Some are outwardly successful but just don’t feel good about themselves.
This warm and practical book explains why and offers parents do-able strategies for raising capable, confident, and caring children.
 
With wisdom and compassion, this book describes specific approaches parents can use to guide children toward developing inner strength and outward empathy. Drawing from research as well as the authors’ clinical experience, this book provides strategies for helping children learn to cope with feelings, build relationships, and embrace learning.  It focuses on the essential skills children need to make the most of their abilities and find personal satisfaction.

Praise from experts

“Having had the experience of raising a smart, perfectionistic child myself, this book is a literal Godsend. Packed with familiar anecdotes and valuable advice, parents will find great wisdom in its pages.”
- Stephen R. Covey, author, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and The Leader in Me

“A fresh parenting book filled with vignettes and strategies for raising smart kids to become healthy, happy and contributing adults. It shines light on the mindset needed to counter the effects on our children of our high-stakes culture and education system. Filled with easy to access tips on how to raise whole children.”
- Vicki Abeles, Producer and Co-Director, Race to Nowhere

“If you wish to be a smart parent, get this book and absorb its messages about how to help your children learn from experience, grow despite setbacks, work well with those around them, and find their own motivation and joy.”
- Maurice J. Elias, PhD, co-author of Emotionally Intelligent Parenting

“The authors have done parents a favor by exposing the flaws in the argument that our kids must be pushed ever harder to succeed.  This book helps parents see how to encourage their children to develop as whole people with feelings, ideas, and the ability to cope with the occasional disappointment too.”
- Roberta Michnick Golinkoff, PhD, author of Einstein Never Used Flash Cards

“This book offers warm, sensible and practical ways that parents can help their children build positive relationships and develop effective coping skills. The authors make parents aware of the fine line between encouragement and over involvement. I highly recommend it.”
- Nancy Samalin, MS, author of Loving Without Spoiling

Praise from reviewers

Coming Soon

Praise from readers

Coming Soon