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Puddle Jumpers: Simple and Proven Ways to Raise Confident & Joyful Kids
Raise Resilient Kids Who Can Handle Anything. From the Navy SEAL instructor who discovered that mental toughness comes from compassion, not discipline.
Every parent wants to raise strong, confident kids who can handle life's storms. But what if the real secret to toughness isn't toughness at all?
As a Navy SEAL sniper instructor, Brandon Webb once believed mental toughness came from pressure and perfection. Then he became a dad—and everything changed.
He discovered that real resilience isn't built by pushing harder—it's grown through compassion, connection, and the words our kids hear from us every day. A steady "You've got this" or "Try again, I believe in you" plants confidence deeper than any consequence ever could. Webb admits he's had some incredible jobs in his life, but being a dad is by far the best one. It's where he's learned that strength and kindness aren't opposites—they're teammates.
Puddle Jumper Raise Kids Who Aren’t Afraid to Get Messy
You don't have to choose between gentle parenting that feels too permissive and authoritarian discipline that damages connection. Webb offers a proven alternative that builds real mental toughness without breaking your child's spirit.
Puddle Jumper Parenting is about raising kids who leap, splash, and grow stronger with every mess. They're not afraid to make mistakes, take risks, or bounce back from failure. It's the opposite of raising box-checkers or perfectionists—it's about building true resilience and joy through high expectations and high support.
This approach works because it focuses on building genuine confidence from within, using the same mental-management principles that create elite performers in the most demanding environments on earth.
In This Book, You’ll Discover How
Replace harsh criticism with positive self-talk that builds lasting confidence Use visualization techniques to reduce your child's anxiety and boost performance Help children handle stress, setbacks, and failure without falling apart Create clear boundaries while maintaining emotional connection Give kids the freedom to fail forward—the key to real resilience Build supportive structure that encourages independence instead of dependence Develop inner strength that serves children throughout their lives
This Isn’t Theory. It’s Proven.
Webb merges the discipline of elite training with the humanity of raising three kids in a changing world. What he teaches isn't theory—it's lived experience, refined through years of showing up, falling short, and trying again. Now, with his kids grown and carving their own paths, he sees the real mission they're grounded, joyful, and living lives on their own terms. And for any parent, that's the greatest victory there is.
This is what truly builds mental toughness—calm consistency, compassion, and connection. That's Puddle Jumper Parenting.
Ready to raise your Puddle Jumper? Your journey starts here.
Every parent wants to raise strong, confident kids who can handle life's storms. But what if the real secret to toughness isn't toughness at all?
As a Navy SEAL sniper instructor, Brandon Webb once believed mental toughness came from pressure and perfection. Then he became a dad—and everything changed.
He discovered that real resilience isn't built by pushing harder—it's grown through compassion, connection, and the words our kids hear from us every day. A steady "You've got this" or "Try again, I believe in you" plants confidence deeper than any consequence ever could. Webb admits he's had some incredible jobs in his life, but being a dad is by far the best one. It's where he's learned that strength and kindness aren't opposites—they're teammates.
Puddle Jumper Raise Kids Who Aren’t Afraid to Get Messy
You don't have to choose between gentle parenting that feels too permissive and authoritarian discipline that damages connection. Webb offers a proven alternative that builds real mental toughness without breaking your child's spirit.
Puddle Jumper Parenting is about raising kids who leap, splash, and grow stronger with every mess. They're not afraid to make mistakes, take risks, or bounce back from failure. It's the opposite of raising box-checkers or perfectionists—it's about building true resilience and joy through high expectations and high support.
This approach works because it focuses on building genuine confidence from within, using the same mental-management principles that create elite performers in the most demanding environments on earth.
In This Book, You’ll Discover How
Replace harsh criticism with positive self-talk that builds lasting confidence Use visualization techniques to reduce your child's anxiety and boost performance Help children handle stress, setbacks, and failure without falling apart Create clear boundaries while maintaining emotional connection Give kids the freedom to fail forward—the key to real resilience Build supportive structure that encourages independence instead of dependence Develop inner strength that serves children throughout their lives
This Isn’t Theory. It’s Proven.
Webb merges the discipline of elite training with the humanity of raising three kids in a changing world. What he teaches isn't theory—it's lived experience, refined through years of showing up, falling short, and trying again. Now, with his kids grown and carving their own paths, he sees the real mission they're grounded, joyful, and living lives on their own terms. And for any parent, that's the greatest victory there is.
This is what truly builds mental toughness—calm consistency, compassion, and connection. That's Puddle Jumper Parenting.
Ready to raise your Puddle Jumper? Your journey starts here.
237 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 12, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
June 1, 2026
Brandon had some great tips and tools to use when raising kids. I want to raise my kids to be puddle jumpers! I’m raising young babies & toddlers right now so a lot of the things he wrote about weren’t applicable right now. I know they will be one day in the blink of an eye. I enjoyed his humor through parenting, his encouragement, and having his kids buy in to some of the advice.
June 8, 2026
Puddle Jumper was an unexpected delight. This story pulled me in from the beginning and kept me invested all the way through the final pages. Brandon Webb creates characters that feel authentic and relatable, making it easy to become emotionally attached to their journeys.
What stood out most to me was the balance between heartfelt moments, character growth, and an engaging plot. The pacing was excellent—never dragging, yet allowing enough time to fully connect with the story and its characters. I found myself eager to keep reading and reluctant for it to end.
The writing style was accessible and immersive, painting vivid scenes without becoming overly descriptive. The emotional beats landed well, and several moments genuinely made me stop and reflect on the themes woven throughout the book.
If you enjoy character-driven stories with strong emotional depth, meaningful relationships, and a plot that keeps you turning pages, I highly recommend Puddle Jumper. This is the kind of book that stays with you after you’ve finished it.
A wonderful read and an easy five-star recommendation.
What stood out most to me was the balance between heartfelt moments, character growth, and an engaging plot. The pacing was excellent—never dragging, yet allowing enough time to fully connect with the story and its characters. I found myself eager to keep reading and reluctant for it to end.
The writing style was accessible and immersive, painting vivid scenes without becoming overly descriptive. The emotional beats landed well, and several moments genuinely made me stop and reflect on the themes woven throughout the book.
If you enjoy character-driven stories with strong emotional depth, meaningful relationships, and a plot that keeps you turning pages, I highly recommend Puddle Jumper. This is the kind of book that stays with you after you’ve finished it.
A wonderful read and an easy five-star recommendation.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
"Little skills taught young don't just stick, they stack"
Puddle Jumpers describes a well thought out, tested method for raising children that know how to achieve success (and how to decide what success looks like for themselves). It does not do this book justice to examine it without first taking a look at the human who wrote it. Brandon Webb is a writer, entrepreneur, and former Navy Seal Sniper instructor. His resume lends easy to see credibility to his thoughts on leadership, life management, and handling the unexpected.
This book describes everything from the kind of people you choose to bring around your kids, to talks about difficult topics such as drugs and pornography, to helping your children set goals and have the grit to overcome adversity on their own.
Each chapter contains examples from Brandon Webb's real life as a Dad. In the audiobook, Webb has invited his children to come on and speak to their experiences growing up from their own words. It is touching as well as helpful to hear this perspective that is often skipped in parenting books. When his children speak, you can hear how much they love and appreciate their Father and their family. This personal inclusion really allows the reader a look into the actual results of the 'Puddle Jumper' method.
People that are coparenting after a divorce may find this book particularly helpful, as Webb discusses throughout the book how him and his ex dealt with things from a coparenting standpoint. There is also a discussion between the two of them at the end of the book, in which each highlights the essential rules they held to be successful coparents.
If you have a heart for parenting that fosters respect between your child and yourself, but have struggled with seeing how to make it happen without sometimes slipping into 'permissive' parenting, this book is for you. There is example after example of how to handle what are often difficult situations.
Puddle Jumpers even includes insight into helping your children manage as they transition to college and how to set your self up for relationship success even after they are fully grown and making all of their own decisions.
As a mother of three young boys, I found much of this book applies to issues I currently am dealing with, or foresee coming up in our near future. It is nice to know that I have this tool in my toolbox to help me react from a well planned place, rather than a reactive one.
I plan to keep a copy of this book handy as my children grow—there is wisdom distilled on its pages.
Disclaimer: Puddle Jumpers is written by a former Navy Seal, so the language used (albeit sparingly) throughout the book is unsurprising. Heads up!
Puddle Jumpers describes a well thought out, tested method for raising children that know how to achieve success (and how to decide what success looks like for themselves). It does not do this book justice to examine it without first taking a look at the human who wrote it. Brandon Webb is a writer, entrepreneur, and former Navy Seal Sniper instructor. His resume lends easy to see credibility to his thoughts on leadership, life management, and handling the unexpected.
This book describes everything from the kind of people you choose to bring around your kids, to talks about difficult topics such as drugs and pornography, to helping your children set goals and have the grit to overcome adversity on their own.
Each chapter contains examples from Brandon Webb's real life as a Dad. In the audiobook, Webb has invited his children to come on and speak to their experiences growing up from their own words. It is touching as well as helpful to hear this perspective that is often skipped in parenting books. When his children speak, you can hear how much they love and appreciate their Father and their family. This personal inclusion really allows the reader a look into the actual results of the 'Puddle Jumper' method.
People that are coparenting after a divorce may find this book particularly helpful, as Webb discusses throughout the book how him and his ex dealt with things from a coparenting standpoint. There is also a discussion between the two of them at the end of the book, in which each highlights the essential rules they held to be successful coparents.
If you have a heart for parenting that fosters respect between your child and yourself, but have struggled with seeing how to make it happen without sometimes slipping into 'permissive' parenting, this book is for you. There is example after example of how to handle what are often difficult situations.
Puddle Jumpers even includes insight into helping your children manage as they transition to college and how to set your self up for relationship success even after they are fully grown and making all of their own decisions.
As a mother of three young boys, I found much of this book applies to issues I currently am dealing with, or foresee coming up in our near future. It is nice to know that I have this tool in my toolbox to help me react from a well planned place, rather than a reactive one.
I plan to keep a copy of this book handy as my children grow—there is wisdom distilled on its pages.
Disclaimer: Puddle Jumpers is written by a former Navy Seal, so the language used (albeit sparingly) throughout the book is unsurprising. Heads up!
May 31, 2026
This is a parenting book by Navy SEAL Brandon Webb, and the title refers to raising kids who will not fear leaping into life’s messy and muddy moments. Drawing from his own experiences as a SEAL (both from BUD/S and as a sniper instructor) the platitudes are abundant here, especially with respect to concepts such as teaching resilience and building confidence. Mr. Webb stresses the importance of positive self-talk routines, visualization, and mental rehearsals. It’s also ok for kids to take a step back after failure rather than forcing something in the moment, especially to recharge and assess. (Failure + Reflection + the Next Rep = Competence) Relatedly, Mr. Webb also takes advices from Carol Dweck’s Mindset (3/5 stars) and Angela Duckworth’s Grit (4/5 stars) and reminds parents that the aforementioned resilience and confidence come with daily and real world exposure to responsibility, challenges, and failure (what Dr. Ann Masten dubs “Ordinary Magic”). Disciplining kids must arise entirely out of the desire to teach, rather than to punish, and parents must first assess their own emotional state before doling out said discipline. Also, idle threats erode credibility. (Clear limits + Follow Through + Emotional Connection = Respect) Children should be taught to have purpose as early as adolescence, and to that end writing down mission statements and specific goals instill agency. Finally, in less abstract terms Mr. Webb discusses the importance of physical health (enough sleep and good nutrition are non-negotiables), digital detoxification, and how to talk about sex, drugs, and alcohol in a candid manner. Mr. Webb concludes by emphasizing that parents should be the anchors and quiet heroes in their kids’ lives.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I thought that this book would be a great parenting to book to read alongside my husband who is in the military. The viewpoint of parenting from a former navy SEAL is something that has aligned values we share as a family.
From the description, I thought I would really resonate with the topics discussed and I really did! This book was different from other parenting books that I read because it is almost reminiscent of a memoir, coupled with an example-based parenting book. I listened to this book on audio and really enjoyed the layout of the topic, description, personal experiences, and then the reflection from the author's adult children about said experiences. I was truly impacted at the experiences and scenarios had my crying at the emotional maturity Webb's children employed in their lives. This book reinforces the tactics that my spouse and I are trying to engage and cultivate to make resilient, strong, and compassionate children.
I do feel like this book is great for parenting at ages 5/6- young teens, but still found applications to parenting in toddlerhood. There are overarching "lessons" that apply to all stages of parenting. Let them be messy; Let them fail, but give them the resolve to be able to handle failure; follow through.
I really enjoyed this book! Great work Webb!
Thank you to Netgalley and Simon and Schuster Audio for this ARC!
From the description, I thought I would really resonate with the topics discussed and I really did! This book was different from other parenting books that I read because it is almost reminiscent of a memoir, coupled with an example-based parenting book. I listened to this book on audio and really enjoyed the layout of the topic, description, personal experiences, and then the reflection from the author's adult children about said experiences. I was truly impacted at the experiences and scenarios had my crying at the emotional maturity Webb's children employed in their lives. This book reinforces the tactics that my spouse and I are trying to engage and cultivate to make resilient, strong, and compassionate children.
I do feel like this book is great for parenting at ages 5/6- young teens, but still found applications to parenting in toddlerhood. There are overarching "lessons" that apply to all stages of parenting. Let them be messy; Let them fail, but give them the resolve to be able to handle failure; follow through.
I really enjoyed this book! Great work Webb!
Thank you to Netgalley and Simon and Schuster Audio for this ARC!
May 21, 2026
This was a simple and easy read with vital ideas at its core. If you actively read and pay attention to parenting approaches these days, none of the points in this book are novel or given a new perspective, so it was repetitive from other sources. But if you are fairly new, then this is a very approachable and relateable read. His points could easily be summarized in one page though, without missing much depth. The author's emphasis on personal anecdotes was clearly trying to give real-life examples, which can be useful, but eventually they just made him sound a bit egotistical that as a parent he implemented these approaches correctly and his childrens' behaviors are a direct consequence of that. In reality there is a lot of luck and genetics, so some humility would have been nice. I wouldn't recommend it as an audiobook; read the paperback/ebook. The author reads the audiobook and clearly is not a voice actor as he takes many awkward pauses between words within a sentence, probably because there is a line break in what he is reading. They were very noticable and annoying.
Thank you NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Audio for this free ARC; these opinions are fully my own.
Thank you NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Audio for this free ARC; these opinions are fully my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed Puddle Jumpers. Brandon Webb offers a down to earth, often humorous approach to parenting that feels more like a conversation than a lecture. The inclusion of excerpts from his now-grown children added a layer of credibility and heart that is often missing from parenting books.
As a parent of younger children, some examples weren’t immediately applicable, but they provided a valuable 'road map' for challenges we haven't hit yet. I found myself bookmarking several sections to revisit with my husband. The checklists at the end of each chapter are a standout feature, perfect for busy parents who need actionable takeaways. The audiobook experience was top-notch but I will be buying a physical copy upon release to better utilize those end of chapter features. Webb’s storytelling is engaging and reflective. Highly recommend for parents at any stage!
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.
As a parent of younger children, some examples weren’t immediately applicable, but they provided a valuable 'road map' for challenges we haven't hit yet. I found myself bookmarking several sections to revisit with my husband. The checklists at the end of each chapter are a standout feature, perfect for busy parents who need actionable takeaways. The audiobook experience was top-notch but I will be buying a physical copy upon release to better utilize those end of chapter features. Webb’s storytelling is engaging and reflective. Highly recommend for parents at any stage!
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 24, 2026
Thanks to NetGalley and Authors Equity, this is an ARC review.
Puddle Jumpers does a great job of laying out simple, practical strategies to help your children develop into resilient, capable, independent adults. It details Brandon Webbs experiences in parenting and provides practical tips, thoughts, techniques and scripts to utilise, as well as a helpful summary, worksheets and media suggestions at the end.
Brandon Webb leans heavily into his military background as the basis for much of his advice, and you can see this play out in how pragmatic his approach and techniques are. I think it does lend itself to quite black and white thinking and it does come across as a little blunt at times.
I loved that the book is evidence-based and found the family challenges and checklists a good way to consolidate what was discussed in each chapter, and easily apply them to my own family life.
Applicable for all ages but probably most suited to parents of children 8+, this is a great read and a really workable parenting resource.
Puddle Jumpers does a great job of laying out simple, practical strategies to help your children develop into resilient, capable, independent adults. It details Brandon Webbs experiences in parenting and provides practical tips, thoughts, techniques and scripts to utilise, as well as a helpful summary, worksheets and media suggestions at the end.
Brandon Webb leans heavily into his military background as the basis for much of his advice, and you can see this play out in how pragmatic his approach and techniques are. I think it does lend itself to quite black and white thinking and it does come across as a little blunt at times.
I loved that the book is evidence-based and found the family challenges and checklists a good way to consolidate what was discussed in each chapter, and easily apply them to my own family life.
Applicable for all ages but probably most suited to parents of children 8+, this is a great read and a really workable parenting resource.
June 6, 2026
Thank you NetGalley, Authors Equity and Brandon Webb for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Overall, this book was a slow read. It came off more as a Navy Seal's memoir with tidbits about how to raise kids vs. it being the opposite. It felt like the first half of the book was just about him raging on about his accomplishments. There are so many similes and metaphors throughout this book as well that I felt were overused.
He did make some good points, but others read more like a drill sargent encouraging their kids to grow up way too fast. Towards the end of the book he lists all the accomplishments of his children, but a lot of that had to do with what their dad brought to them in terms of connections. This is obviously a very privileged family in the high upperclass and is a little out of touch for those who may not have this persons resources.
Ultimately, not what I expected and a bit of a bummer. I want my child to thrive and there are some great points made, but I expected to come away with more in all honesty.
Overall, this book was a slow read. It came off more as a Navy Seal's memoir with tidbits about how to raise kids vs. it being the opposite. It felt like the first half of the book was just about him raging on about his accomplishments. There are so many similes and metaphors throughout this book as well that I felt were overused.
He did make some good points, but others read more like a drill sargent encouraging their kids to grow up way too fast. Towards the end of the book he lists all the accomplishments of his children, but a lot of that had to do with what their dad brought to them in terms of connections. This is obviously a very privileged family in the high upperclass and is a little out of touch for those who may not have this persons resources.
Ultimately, not what I expected and a bit of a bummer. I want my child to thrive and there are some great points made, but I expected to come away with more in all honesty.
June 30, 2026
As a single mum of 2 VERY energetic boys - currently 11 and 14 - I've read a lot of books on parenting and this is my favourite one yet! It offers simple practical no-nonsense advice illustrated with entertaining stories of the author's own parenting and also from his years in the SEALS (both as a SEAL himself, then as an instructor). Perhaps his mentality really suits the needs of my two very active sporty head-strong boys? Many other books on parenting tend to be fluffy and this just has zero effect on my kids and is most frustrating to read as a struggling parent. There's nothing fluffy about this book, thankfully!
One of the best tips I picked up from this book is: praise in public, punish (or rather offer constructive criticism) in private. I'd never figured this out but I've realised how key this advice is, especially when dealing with the male ego.
At the back of the book are highly useful chapter summaries, and recommended reading and TV/movies to watch for different age groups until adults.
Highly recommend!
One of the best tips I picked up from this book is: praise in public, punish (or rather offer constructive criticism) in private. I'd never figured this out but I've realised how key this advice is, especially when dealing with the male ego.
At the back of the book are highly useful chapter summaries, and recommended reading and TV/movies to watch for different age groups until adults.
Highly recommend!
April 2, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley and AE Titles/ S&S Audio for an ARC of this book!
This book really resonated with me! I have a few things in common with the author and his family, and really appreciated his perspective with the situations that were thrown at him during his parenthood journey. The major fear of allowing your kids to grow with the tension of keeping them safe and not projecting your anxiety onto them is a hard thing to accomplish. I appreciated Brandon’s outlook on what worked for him as he raised his 3 children. As we raise kids, our main focus needs to be preparing them for adulthood and fostering a healthy environment for them to thrive. His military experience really adds a layer of value to raising resilient kids in a world where there are many snow plow parents. My husband has always instilled a “be comfortable with being uncomfortable” attitude in our kids and I see so much value in that as the years have flown by.
This book really resonated with me! I have a few things in common with the author and his family, and really appreciated his perspective with the situations that were thrown at him during his parenthood journey. The major fear of allowing your kids to grow with the tension of keeping them safe and not projecting your anxiety onto them is a hard thing to accomplish. I appreciated Brandon’s outlook on what worked for him as he raised his 3 children. As we raise kids, our main focus needs to be preparing them for adulthood and fostering a healthy environment for them to thrive. His military experience really adds a layer of value to raising resilient kids in a world where there are many snow plow parents. My husband has always instilled a “be comfortable with being uncomfortable” attitude in our kids and I see so much value in that as the years have flown by.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Honest review as a NetGalley preview: So… I was incredibly dubious about a parenting book written by an ex navy sniper and despite what is said on the cover I was worried that it would be authoritarian… I can say I was completely wrong and that I really liked this book for its compassionate parenting advice. The techniques taught here focus on a kind and constructive style that allows your child to grow into themselves rather than being forced into a parents mould. I thought it was so good I got my husband to read it too as I thought he might connect better with the author than the other books we have read. I was correct, he found it really useful and started adopting some of the techniques straight away. I listened to it as an audiobook but I will buy a copy of the book to use for reference in the future and would definitely recommend it to friends.
May 23, 2026
I received an ARC of Puddle Jumpers through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Overall, this was a solid read for me. Brandon Webb shares a lot of thoughtful parenting perspectives, and there were definitely several takeaways that stuck with me and made me reflect on how I want to approach parenting in my own life. I appreciated the emphasis on resilience, independence, and allowing kids space to grow through experience.
That said, some parts felt a little difficult to fully connect with because of the level of privilege and resources behind some of the examples and advice. At times, it made certain situations feel a bit out of reach or less relatable for the average parent.
Still, I think there’s value in the core message, and I was able to pull meaningful ideas from it despite that disconnect. Overall, I’d give it around 3 stars.
Overall, this was a solid read for me. Brandon Webb shares a lot of thoughtful parenting perspectives, and there were definitely several takeaways that stuck with me and made me reflect on how I want to approach parenting in my own life. I appreciated the emphasis on resilience, independence, and allowing kids space to grow through experience.
That said, some parts felt a little difficult to fully connect with because of the level of privilege and resources behind some of the examples and advice. At times, it made certain situations feel a bit out of reach or less relatable for the average parent.
Still, I think there’s value in the core message, and I was able to pull meaningful ideas from it despite that disconnect. Overall, I’d give it around 3 stars.
June 21, 2026
Puddle Jumpers was exactly the book I needed right now. I was lucky enough to receive an ARC from NetGalley, and as a dad with a pre‑adolescent and two toddler boys, this one hit on every parenting level, even if none of them helped me finish it any faster.
Brandon Webb captures the reality of fatherhood as both a battle and a privilege, offering practical tools to keep your game sharp in every season. Each chapter made me pause, reflect, and rethink the way I show up for my kids. The sections on technology navigation and the teenage years especially hit home, and I’m walking away with real, actionable insight I can use immediately.
This is a book I’ll be recommending to every parent I know, no matter how old their kids are. It’s thoughtful, honest, and genuinely helpful; the kind of parenting book that actually sticks.
Brandon Webb captures the reality of fatherhood as both a battle and a privilege, offering practical tools to keep your game sharp in every season. Each chapter made me pause, reflect, and rethink the way I show up for my kids. The sections on technology navigation and the teenage years especially hit home, and I’m walking away with real, actionable insight I can use immediately.
This is a book I’ll be recommending to every parent I know, no matter how old their kids are. It’s thoughtful, honest, and genuinely helpful; the kind of parenting book that actually sticks.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Any parenting books that are encouraging and provide great ideas are beneficial. Everyone has their own styles and things that work; we all have things we would like to work on. I appreciate how the narrator references his highs and lows of raising 3 kids. He compares it to the military life and skills he learned there--that part of the book was interesting too! I also loved how his kids chimed in throughout the book to talk about their side of the same story and provide insights on how my own kids may feel in certain situations as they get older. Great listen--gathered some things I will use in my own parenting journey.
Thanks for NetGalley for this ARC!
Thanks for NetGalley for this ARC!
July 22, 2026
Maybe 2.5 this book could’ve been really good if the author stuck to what he actually knows and that’s the military and what he learned. I’m sorry but you just can’t give parenting advice when you are not with your kids the majority of their childhood. I also have many beliefs that the author doesn’t share so I know that impacted my takeaways from the book. The author also came across as so braggy, knowing all of his kids specific accomplishments didn’t add anything to his points. Definitely a let down overall, glad it was a library book!
Read
July 25, 2026Nothing too earth-shattering here. The whole book read like AI - it was annoying. I’m glad his kids turned out ok, but he was *very* self-congratulatory in the book. (I guess if he thought he did a bad job, he wouldn’t have written this book.) Also his ex-wife’s main credit in the book is a) being very tidy and b) handing him problems to solve; surely she played a bigger role in the success of their children than that?!
Also, I’m not a Navy Seal and won’t be assigning push-ups as consequences 😂
Also, I’m not a Navy Seal and won’t be assigning push-ups as consequences 😂
June 7, 2026
I was lucky enough to win this book in a giveaway and it found me at a great time. We have been struggling with my son and his idiopathic postprandial hypoglycemia. I’ve used some of these ideas in our own way to help make a calmer and happier place for all. Definitely great framework to making some parenting changes that help better your relationship with your children and hopefully this will make big impacts in our future!
May 12, 2026
I liked the tips throughout this book. I resonated with a lot of it. Like how to lift your child up and encourage positive self talk.
He relies on his military training to shape how he parents, which works in a lot of areas.
I think this will resonate more with military families, but there are tips in there for any parent.
Thanks NetGalley for this ARC.
He relies on his military training to shape how he parents, which works in a lot of areas.
I think this will resonate more with military families, but there are tips in there for any parent.
Thanks NetGalley for this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Puddle Jumpers is a valuable tool for parents looking to build resilient, confident, and joyful children. It’s an engaging read that provides a solid framework for raising independent thinkers, and I highly recommend it for parents at any stage.
July 9, 2026
It was fine. There are a few strong takeaways that I appreciate, but that’s all. Granted, I have young children. I might read it again when my kids are older. I do love how he included his own kids giving their thoughts on each subject. Worth the read 👍🏻
July 26, 2026
Although some of the experiences he shares make you feel a bit lacking in the parenting department, the book provides helpful guidance and suggestions and practical ways to implement into everyday life.
June 18, 2026
Excellent, thought provoking ideas. My only comment is that I felt it would be best read by dads. Or more appealing to dads.
July 14, 2026
Not a huge fan of the "navy seals have a reply to any question", but this has some sound parental advice (nothing groundbreaking imo).
July 17, 2026
Thank you for the ARC! Really looking forward to this as a parent
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
As a School Psychologist, I highly recommend this book! I think this is very practical and I enjoyed the audio!
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews