Brain-Body Parenting: How to Stop Managing Behaviour and Start Raising Joyful, Resilient Kids Paperback – March 17, 2022

In her previous book, "Beyond Behaviors: Using Brain Science and Compassion to Understand and Solve Children's Behavioral Challenges," Dr. Mona Delahooke took important neuroscience principles and made them clear and approachable. Dr. Delahooke showed us how to look beyond behavior to understand where behavior comes from and ways to better support children. We learned from Dr. Delahooke that our biology influences behavior and that not all behavior is intentional. Simply put, we learned that much lies beneath the surface of the behavioral iceberg.Dr. Delahooke now brings her wisdom and science-based approach to parenting in the new book "Brain-Body Parenting: How to Stop Managing Behavior and Start Raising Joyful, Resilient Kids." The book makes the case that there is no single path to parenting every child. Each child has a unique brain and body platform and requires an individualized approach. The basis of Dr. Delahooke's approach is co-regulation and relational safety. A theme in the book is that children and adults must feel safe and connected to thrive."Brain-Body Parenting" is an excellent book for any parent or individual who works with young children. The book uses stories and real-life examples to understand how to support and nurture growth in children. Dr. Delahooke is compassionate and encourages parents to take care of themselves and their brain and body platform. As Dr. Delahooke shares, we must be well regulated as adults to support the healthy growth of our children. This book can help you through the day-to-day challenges and enable you to raise children that will flourish.Read it - you'll be glad you did!

Finally, a book just for parents, liberating them (us) from the “perfect parent” fantasy or “one size fits all” approaches to their child’s challenging behaviors. Instead, Dr. Delahooke invites parents to rethink “managing” behaviors and instead tune in to their unique child, the dynamic between their body and brain, with compassion and curiosity. She reminds us that behaviors, even the hard ones, are good information, revealing both a child’s strengths and areas of challenges.Informed by the latest in developmental neuroscience, the author provides a refreshingly accessible and much-needed parent “roadmap.” It begins with a “whole child” approach. The reader/parent is encouraged to start by observing, understanding, and appreciating the highly individualized body-brain connection that may be influencing your child’s actions/reactions and interactions, especially when their system is under stress.Through various real-life scenarios, Delahooke provides great examples that illustrate and guide parents towards discovering new tools individualized to their child (and them/us!). Incorporating safe, relationship-based strategies, parent and child problem-solve together, to address and shape “difficult” behaviors. BRAIN-BODY PARENTING offers a unique “inside-out” approach to help your child develop self-control and emotional flexibility, while deepening your connection to your child. A rich and enlightening resource for all parents!

This book has changed the way I see my kids, myself, and our relationship. I have two boys, 5yrs and 2yrs. As a single mom, I work 9-5 , six days a week. I was completely drowning before I found this book. I was going back and forth with parenting styles, and nothing worked- I disagreed with spanking but found myself spanking my 5-year-old because his behavior was insane. I never thought I'd be the mom to yell, but I found that's the only way my 5-year-old would listen. I threatened, bribed, and found myself doing anything to avoid the meltdowns, even if that meant giving in to the demands of both kids; I was exhausted and lost. They weren't learning how to cope with everyday life because how could I teach them that when I clearly wasn't coping either? I didn't have the tools or the mindset to be the mom that my 5 year old needed, and I felt like a complete failer-The amount of stress in my home had started to cause my 2 year old to act out as well- Following his big brothers lead, which only made the chaos worse. I felt completely overwhelmed and like it was too late.Something just clicked when I read this book- I listened to the first 4 chapters on Spotify and in the car whenever I could, and then I read on my breaks at work. It gave me a whole new perspective and helped me regain my power as a mom. Just like my kids, I was living life in a reactive state. Now I honestly can say that I am doing my dang best to raise resilient, joyful kids... I'm so grateful to have come across this book when I did. Whether your kid/kiddos are babies, toddlers, or teens, I think the information and understanding that this book provides- Can help anyone learn how to raise and nurture their kids in an effective, safe and loving home.

This was a great book. As an educator, it gave me many tools that I can use in my classroom.