How the World is Making Our Children Mad and What to Do About It

by Louis Weinstock

I know of no one better qualified to understand what young people are facing today - Philippa PerryLouis cares deeply about children and the world they are growing up in. In this book, he provides a brilliant, nurturing, much needed voice to children and anyone who cares about children - Jessie WareIn this book, rich in edifying insight and illuminating case examples, Louis Weinstock confronts us with uncomfortable truths and guides us towards creating a world that is comfortable for our children and supports their healthy development - Gabor MatéHow can we raise children in a world that appears to have gone so wrong?We all want our children to grow up in a world where they feel safe, and where people are kind to each other and the planet. But when we hear about climate change, a mental health crisis, war, it's hard not to worry about the future and how they will cope.Drawing on over 20 years of helping children and families, psychotherapist Louis Weinstock is here to help. Combining case studies, playful meditations and simple exercises with life-changing insights from history, science, psychology and anthropology, this is a parenting book like no other.Whether your child is struggling with mental health issues already, or you want to build their capacity to handle change and uncertainty, this book is a safe place to catch your breath and develop the skills to help your child through life's challenges.You will discover ways to find peace in the middle of chaos, bring deeper levels of love and healing to the troubled parts of your child (and yourself) and find hope when things feel hopeless.Most importantly, you will see that inside of you there is strength, wisdom and beauty, and no matter what is going on in this mad world, you can guide your child towards a more beautiful tomorrow.

Genres: Nonfiction, Parenting

320 pages, Hardcover

Published June 9, 2022

Reviews

[Paul Fulcher · Rating 2 out of 5]

I know, I know. I too normally skip over this section. I skim through most non-fiction books looking for the single treasure, the one golden nugget that is The Answer. It's a sign of the times; we are all attention and time poor, overwhelmed with content, anxious to get parenting right. But I would love you to have a different, slower experience of reading this book. To notice the space between the words. After all, speed-reading is a symptom of the world that's making our children mad.

And the author indeed exceeds admirably in his mission to avoid golden nuggets.

[Debs Erwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book on the strength of a podcast interview with the author and was not disappointed, it's an excellent, timely and very accessible read. It's primarily aimed at parents but I think it's very relevant to anyone working with children and young people, and actually there's so much good stuff in here that I think would be meaningful to anyone who picks it up. The author communicates clearly with plenty of examples and I really appreciate the various exercises that are in each of the chapters - planning to return to them often. Higly recommended.

[Scott Stapleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this to be a thought provoking, informative, warm and compassionate book. As a dad of a two year old it has developed the way I think about her play (and risk taking!) and I think I'll be returning to this book again and again to work on the exercises. The world needs more people like Louis!

[Clara Wilcox · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow - what a book. It's a hard read at times, with topics that cover most of the topics that, as parents and people, we actively avoid. But that is the core of the book - we need to stop ignoring the realities of modern living and start understanding how to talk about it. If we can't as adults, how do we expect the children in our lives to manage the emotions and fears they create.
It's an honest and confronting book, that leads is through seven tools we all need to develop not just for ourselves but for the next and future generations too.
A modern book for a future society.

Thank you for an free copy for an honest review.

[Gavin Earnshaw · Rating 1 out of 5]

Absolute total fluff.

[Liza Levy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book with clear and actionable suggestions. Have read it slowly over the last few months and think about the ideas regularly

[Wing · Rating 4 out of 5]

The meaning of life is love. It’s not happiness. Figuring this out in an authentic way is the key to flourishing. To guide a child to attain attributes, such as agency, gratitude, and compassion, that are conducive to if not necessary for this goal, parents need to find their inner peace first. Weinstock guides the reader in a most gentle and humane way. Drawing on his extensive experience in child psychotherapy, he provides specific techniques to combat the ills of materialism, consumerism, narcissism, and existential angst that plague our societies and stop our children from achieving authenticity and flourishing. A couple of the later chapters are weaker but otherwise the book is exceptionally coherent and insightful. I also don’t like his understanding on epigenetics but this doesn’t detract from the book’s beauty. Essential reading for everyone — parents or otherwise. Four stars.