Parenting Redefined: A Guide to Understanding and Nurturing Your Child's Behavior to Help Them Thrive

by Kristen Cook

Genres: Parenting

248 pages, Hardcover

Published November 27, 2025

About the author

A former award-winning newspaper writer and current mother of three, Kristen Cook lives in Tucson and writes a blog — therealkristencook.com — that focuses on finding the ha-ha in the humdrum. She is the author of This. and That, nonfiction collections of humor essays about life and family and shopping for throw pillows. It's humor with heart.

Reviews

[Francis Tapon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here are a few memorable passages:

"You need to parent the child that you have, rather than the child you wish you had."

"Almost every single challenging or frustrating behavior that your child has ever demonstrated is the result of one single, indisputable biological fact. Are you ready for it? Drumroll please . . . a child’s brain is under construction."

One misleading statement: "We are born with approximately the same number of neurons (or brain cells) that we have when we die."

Studies now show that normal aging results in only a minimal decline in overall neuron numbers across most brain regions, typically just 2–4% over a lifetime. Significant neuron loss is not a typical part of healthy aging, contrary to old beliefs. However, some specific areas can lose more neurons, and neurodegenerative diseases can cause much greater losses.​

TIP:
"Step number 1 is to remain calm when your child misbehaves. Don’t worry, I will discuss strategies to stay calm in upcoming chapters. Step 2 is to step back and allow your child to self-regulate. Do not address your child until they are completely calm. It may take them twenty minutes to calm down. That’s okay. You cannot talk your child out of a temper tantrum. You cannot stop your child from flinging food across the room. Let them calm themselves down. Step 3 is to debrief the unwanted behavior. Briefly acknowledge your child’s emotions. Explain how their behavior was undesired. Finally, describe a preferred future behavior."

CONCLUSION: The title promises a revolution, but I didn't feel it redefined parenting. Still, it's a good book, teaching you the various neurobiological stages of a human, and to lower your expectations.

DISCLOSURE: The publisher gave me an advanced copy.

[Chelsea Walsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

This offers a research-driven, compassionate perspective that is a refreshing change from the often-conflicting and stressful advice given to parents today. Dr. Kristen Cook blends clinical expertise with relatable personal anecdotes, creating a guide that is authoritative and approachable. The strength of Parenting Redefined lies in its focus on understanding a child's brain development and temperament, urging parents to meet their children where they are.

The book sometimes feels like a broad overview. Some readers looking for more granular, step by step instructions on specific behaviors or complex scenarios might find themselves wanting more depth. It is still an invaluable guide!

Thank you for the advanced opportunity to read and review!

[Aaron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading this as a parent to a high-energy toddler, the most reassuring takeaway was the reminder that no single parenting method fits every child. The book emphasizes adjusting expectations to a child’s natural temperament and staying aware of your own emotional state during moments of conflict. Much of the guidance is familiar in theory, staying calm, treating mistakes as learning opportunities, but it’s supported with clear examples that explain both how and why these ideas work, while also acknowledging limits, especially with younger children. What stood out most was the book’s flexible approach, encouraging parents to take what resonates and adapt it over time rather than follow a rigid system. It’s a grounded, realistic read that focuses less on correcting behavior and more on understanding the parent-child relationship.

ARC provided by Bloomsbury Academic via NetGalley. Opinions are my own.