Hunter Clarke-Fields Msae

Having been steeped in patient/positive/gentle parenting literature for several years now, I did not find this volume to be a particularly groundbreaking addition to the genre, though I'm happy to have it on my shelf since receiving it as an Early Reviewer selection. I don't think it would necessarily recommend it as the top selection to introduce a parent to these ideas, but could be useful for someone who was especially enthusiastic about mindfulness/meditation (I am not, which is probably why it didn't resonate with me quite the way I had hoped).… (meer)

A good application of mindfulness to parenting. Much similar advice as other books I've read on parenting, but with a few new insights and practices. The author does well in keeping the advice grounded in Mindfulness techniques and philosophy. I have started trying some of the practices and will continue.

As with some other books I've read the author seems to blame the reader's challenges with parenting on their parents (which doesn't resonate with me) and sometimes the 'skillful communication' seemed passive aggressive. The book also didn't seem to tackle some of the most challenging parenting struggles that I'm having, which was rather disappointing: namely what to do when your child is hurting you (kicking/hitting/biting) or when the problem isn't really mine or the child's (like having to go to school).

The core of this book is that parenting is more skillful if you are patient, present, and open to learning from your children and that all of this is easier if you keep a steady meditation practice.… (meer)

Raising Good Humans is a thoughtful and useful guide to being a better parent and a better human oneself. It is based in Buddhist principles of mindfulness, compassion, and kindness and full of helpful and simple suggestions to begin incorporation these parenting practices into life.

At times, the work comes across as hetero-normative and seems to have an implied audience of white, middle and upper-middle class parents. But this should not detract from principles and exercises that all will find useful.… (meer)