Raising Human Beings - by Ross W Greene (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Renowned child psychologist and New York Times bestselling author of Lost at School and The Explosive Child explains how to cultivate a better parent-child relationship while also nurturing empathy, honesty, resilience, and independence.

Parents have an important task: figure out who their child is--his or her skills, preferences, beliefs, values, personality traits, goals, and direction--get comfortable with it, and then help them pursue and live a life according to it. Yet parents also want their kids to be independent, but not if they are going to make bad choices. They want to avoid being too overbearing, but not if an apathetic kid is what they have to show for it. They want to have a good relationship with their kids, but not if that means being a pushover. They don't want to scream, but they do want to be heard. Good parenting is about striking the balance between a child's characteristics and a parent's desire to have influence.

Dr. Ross Greene "makes a powerful case for rethinking typical approaches to parenting and disciplining children" (The Atlantic). Through his well-known model of solving problems collaboratively, parents can forgo timeout and sticker charts; stop badgering, berating, threatening, and punishing; allow their kids to feel heard and validated; and have influence.

From homework to hygiene, curfews, to screen time, Dr. Greene "arms parents with guidelines that are clear, doable, and sure to empower both parents and their children" (Adele Faber, coauthor of How to Talk So Kids Will Listen). Raising Human Beings is "inspirational...a game-changer for parents, teachers, and other caregivers. Its advice is reasonable and empathetic, and readers will feel ready to start creating a better relationship with the children in their lives" (Publishers Weekly, starred review).

Review Quotes

"Parents and children everywhere will benefit from Dr. Greene's insights into everyday parent-child interactions. His empathic understanding of families' daily struggles shines through the entire book. He provides realistic, concrete, and effective guidance for turning those struggles from confrontation to collaboration. Bravo!"--Joan E. Durrant, PhD, author of Positive Discipline in Everyday Parenting, Associate Professor of Family Social Sciences, University of Manitoba

"Ross Greene takes a deep dive into the complexities of raising a human being and emerges with guidelines that are clear, doable, and sure to empower both parents and their children."--Adele Faber, co-author of How To Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk

"Want to know how to prepare your child for the innovation era? How to raise a child who knows who he or she is and can collaborate and solve problems creatively? Ross Greene will show you how in this book. Practice the parenting approach he describes, and your child will thrive!"--Tony Wagner, author of The Global Achievement Gap and Creating Innovators

"Inspirational . . . This book is a game changer for parents, teachers, and other caregivers. Its advice is reasonable and empathetic, and readers will feel ready to start creating a better relationship with the children in their lives."--Publishers Weekly STARRED review

"A brilliant, practical guide on how to raise children in such a way that they will become the people we all want our children to become. Brimming with specific tips and how-to details, as well as encouragement and optimism rooted in decades of experience, this book can quickly become any parent's go-to resource day in and day out, especially in those moments when you feel at wit's end. Bravo, Dr. Greene!"--Ned Hallowell, New York Times bestselling author and ADHD expert

"Easy to follow...stuffed with examples and mock adult-child conversations...makes a powerful case for rethinking typical approaches to parenting and disciplining children. "--The Atlantic

"Not only does Dr. Greene teach us how to be collaborative partners in our children's development, but how to both raise and to rise up as better human beings."--GeekDad

"This practical guide is a powerful tool to support the development of mindsight--how we know our own mind, connect with others, and respect differences. Collaborating with our children and teens is an important skill Ross Greene inspires us to acquire to help our kids learn the lifelong capacity to problem solve, be empathic, and become more insightful. Filled with captivating stories and clear steps, Raising Human Beings will help you raise thoughtful and resilient individuals."--Daniel J. Siegel, M.D. New York Times bestselling author of Brainstorm and co-author of The Whole-Brain Child and No-Drama Discipline