Advice about how to be a great parent from the co-host of Parental Guidance
What does it mean to be a good parent? Are you a good parent when your child is compliant, but a bad parent when they're not? What if they're perfect at age three and challenging at thirteen? And what if your child has additional needs? This is a book about parenting styles and what it takes to be a great parent. We know about tiger parents, helicopter parents, free-range parents, but have you heard of Tesla parents, leaf-blower parents or iPhone 6 parents? So many styles, but is there one that actually works? Justin Coulson believes so. Drawing on up-to-the-minute research in parenting science as well as studies of childhood development, he Not all children are the same, and Justin considers a range of circumstances that you or your child might be in - including children with non-typical development. His revolutionary approach and practical strategies will encourage you to change the way you parent forever.
I had the chance to attend an author talk a while back, but as I'd not read his books at that stage, I didn't. I wish I had, the author is smart, a good communicator, and a calm person. His narration was superb.
I listen to audio as I have a lot of instances that this works, work commute, parts of my work that are mundane and lengthy, and all types of domestic stuff. I will listen every chance I get. In saying that, there are disctracted moments, and I'm sure there were a few here.
The author describes many of his family's moments. He has 6 daughters and what he describes as a remarkable wife. I have a feeling, although no proof, that his wife probably didn't have to go to work during the child rearing. And that is the hard part for parents. Work, family, work, family. Repeat.
I will probably at some stage find the online version to have a little look, as it would be worth visualising. It's hard to do the quizzes in these types of books while using the audio format.
The author talks about many types of parenting, communication styles and even the way these differ between the parents. That would be hard, I'm lucky I don't have that problem.
A key takeaway is parenting via needs supportive parenting while assisting their offsprings connection, competence and autonomy. It takes hard work and time, putting the phone down and connection at grass roots level.
I don't have a problem with the extra layer of chronicling my children's and family's lives on social media, that stuff makes me want to VOMIT. So I don't have the pressure of proving my worth and I don't compare myself to others, but this author has lots of good solid ideas. He also HATES the cold, and winter, so I had to have a quiet chuckle there as that's me all over.
If you want to be a good parent, be a good person. Or something like that. Well researched and supported by scholarly information (I have an academic library background, he knows his stuff), and clearly told. Recommended.
This was hard to get through and made me at times wish I didn't have whatever affliction I do, which makes it very hard for me to not finish a book I have started. Particularly one that I deem "good for me" as I do desire to improve my parenting.
The book was just too long, and like many parenting books, spoke of targeted behaviour change that seems disconnected and distant from the reality of what parents might actually be able to achieve. Sure - maybe that's more a reflection on me than all parents!
The writing and structure itself was meandering and, I'm sorry to say, boring a lot of the time. I just wish the author would "get to the point". It feels like the book could have been significantly shorter.
I'd give this two stars, but an extra star takes it up to three, for the effort in referencing and citing studies. Mind you, the author liberally interprets the studies he cites and doesn't leave much autonomy to the reader to draw their own conclusions. Ahh the irony!
The Parenting Revolution inspires me to be a better parent every day. Dr. Coulson’s compassionate, respectful approach has deeply shaped the strong connection I share with my son. This book gave me countless aha moments and marked a turning point—from power struggles to connection. It truly changed how I parent and now sits proudly on my “essential parenting books” shelf, right next to Dr. Ross Greene and Maggie Dent. I highly recommend it to parents who want to raise resilient kids, grounded in respect and emotional strength.
To call this a ‘revolution’ is very generous. A lot of the book was common sense pop psych but I found the practical examples and tips in the second half interesting.