Raising Good Humans Every Day

December 18, 2023
Mindful Parenting podcast host Clarke-Fields follows up Raising Good Humans with this inviting compendium of 50 steps parents can take to raise communicative, happy, well-rounded children. "Parenting is much harder than we could have expected,” Clarke-Fields writes, with customary candor, noting that, despite sunny social-media posts, every parent struggles—and that “It’s okay for you to love your kids and not love parenting.” That inviting frankness and relatability powers the book, which Clarke-Fields packs with anecdotes, practical tips, and engaging exercises to make it all easier and more effective, targeted for parents who feel like they need to get better, are stuck in unhealthy patterns with their children, or have not learned to give themselves the grace to be "good humans" themselves.
Clarke-Fields acknowledges that parenting can be "an emotional minefield” and explores the truth that being a parent will never be without challenges. Parents have to reflect on their own childhood triggers, outside stressors, and their emotions to model healthy behaviors for their children, because "Kids are often not great at doing what we tell them to do, but they are wonderful imitators.” That insight, plus guidance in practicing mindfulness and meditation, is key to the book’s framework. With heavy focus on eliminating negative thoughts, regulating one's temper and emotions, and building the "present-moment muscle,” Clarke-Fields advocates for parents to practice positive behaviors like pausing in moments of stress and anger, using discipline as a method of teaching rather than punishment, and bringing intention to everything they do in front of their children, from decluttering toys, parent/child date nights, and more.
This flexible, illuminating resource offers clear and original advice, encouragement for slowing down and enjoying the moment, and continual reminders for parents to practice self-forgiveness when they don’t get it all exactly right. Parents and parents-to-be eager to improve communication and produce moments of bonding and happy memories will find support here.
Takeaway: Relatable, encouraging guide to mindful parenting and communication.
Comparable Titles: Shirley Pastiroff's The Mindful Parent, Kristen Race's Mindful Parenting.
Production grades
Cover: B+
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: A
Marketing copy: A