Shame-Free Parenting - by Craig Lcsw M DIV Knippenberg (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

In Shame-Free Parenting, author Craig Knippenberg takes on the trend of hypervigilant parenting and offers a compassionate guide to navigating the complexities of parenting with resilience and authenticity. With sections that address pivotal aspects of raising children, Knippenberg equips parents with practical strategies to forge strong connections while fostering independence.

From managing emotions to setting boundaries, this book encourages parents to embrace their own imperfections-it's okay to lose it sometimes, even relax!-and work toward growth. Knippenberg delves into topics including gaming, TikTok, and school shootings, and underscores the importance of creating structure, valuing resources, and guiding children toward their purpose.

With a seasoned perspective, Knippenberg advocates for family adventures and volunteerism as tools for building lasting bonds and instilling values. Full of shame-free parenting tips and resources for parents, Shame-Free Parenting empowers them to cultivate resilient families that thrive in the face of adversity.

Review Quotes

"Craig's work hits the true essence of parenting. You want to manage your child's development but realize you only have so much control over that process. He also hits on how stressful parenting is and that you don't have to repress your own emotions in the process. Given the modern cultural issues which face families, it's imperative to focus on resiliency and problem solving versus trying to protect children from every possible stress or emotional upset."

Michele Borba, Ed.D., Educational psychologist and best-selling author of Thrivers: The Surprising Reasons Why Some Kids Struggle and Others Shine and Unselfie: Why Empathetic Kids Succeed in Our All-About-Me World

"Parenting has always been a gratifying but challenging responsibility. The challenges have intensified in today's world. The ramifications of such forces as COVID, political divisiveness, and social media have added to the stress and uncertainty experienced by children teens, and their families. Parents struggle with how best to raise caring, hopeful, resilient children in a stress-filled world. To assist parents with this struggle, Craig Knippenberg has written a very impressive book: Shame-Free Parenting. Not only does Craig describe the many issues facing kids and their parents, but he offers practical, realistic strategies for managing these issues. In addition, Craig's empathy for parents and their kids comes across on every page of his book, including his personal stories as a son, father, husband, and grandfather. This book will be a major resource for parents, teachers, coaches, and other childcare professionals who have the privilege of interacting with children and teens and helping them become more compassionate, self-assured, resilient adults."

Robert Brooks, Ph.D., Faculty, Harvard Medical School (part-time) and coauthor of Raising Resilient Children and Tenacity in Children: Nurturing

the Seven Instincts for Lifetime Success

"Craig Knippenberg has done it again! Shame-Free Parenting is a solid follow-up to his first book, Wired and Connected. As a parent of adult children, I wish I'd had the benefit of Knippenberg's wisdom when I was raising my own kids. In his unique, easy-to-read, laid-back style, he assures parents that there is no need to be perfect! His words will resonate with parents of exceptional students as well. This book is full of practical advice for parents and reminds us that when all else fails, being kind is a great place to start."

Mark T. Twarogowski, MA, Head of School, Denver Academy

"As a parent and educator, I believe every parent and educator should read this book! Craig Knippenberg translates his vast knowledge of

counseling, the social emotional development of children, and his decades of experience consulting with schools, into language that is 'parent friendly, ' makes common sense, and is always optimistic. His advice is also very important for educators who interact with students for many hours each day. Based in research on brain development, Knippenberg has translated his ideas into advice that moves from practical ideas about routines, rewards, and consequences, to complicated issues such as social media, gaming, and smart phones. His insights address in practical ways the issues that parents struggle with as they negotiate raising children in today's culture. His wisdom, caring, and compassion for parents and their children are obvious, as he gets down to the business of empowering parents. As Craig says, 'There's only one parental behavior found in the research that will shape your child for the rest of their lives: parental kindness.' "

Judi Dodson, MA, Educational consultant