Publishers Weekly
06/20/2022
Psychologist Kennedy, better known as Instagram’s Dr. Becky, brings her advice to the page in her encouraging debut on how parents can “do better on the outside and feel better on the inside.” She makes a solid case that self-development and child development go hand in hand, and to help readers accomplish both, she lays out 10 parenting principles she lives by. These include the belief that all children are good, that resilience is more important than happiness, and that telling the truth is key to having a strong connection with one’s kids. Then come some strategies for increasing “closeness in a parent-child relationship,” with a focus on behavior issues: validating the intensity of a child’s feelings (“your upset is as big as this whole street!”) can help with tantrums, for example, while talking to a child about their feelings can ease separation anxiety, and recording a reassuring message on a “comfort button” kids can press can calm sleep worries. Kennedy’s points that it’s key to really understand a child and that one-on-one time goes a long way are well delivered, and the book is flush with useful ideas—so much so that end-of-chapter summaries would have been a helpful addition. Frustrated parents will find this well worth their time. (Sept.)
From the Publisher
Dr. Becky is profoundly changing the way we parent our kids and the way we parent ourselves. Her innovative work shows parents how to challenge inherited beliefs and behaviors and shift the paradigm of how we understand family dynamics. Her work is proof that we can be the parents we want to be—and that we are all good inside." — Gabby Bernstein, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Universe Has Your Back
"Dr. Becky teaches parents that the foundation of child-rearing is building a solid relationship with their child and offering themselves grace along the way. Captivating and timely, Good Inside is a book parents can turn to at every stage of development, from infancy to adulthood, to continue building connection with their kids." — Nedra Tawwab, New York Times bestselling author of Set Boundaries, Find Peace
"Parenting is the most important job we’ll ever have and the one we get the least training for, so we tend to follow what our parents did—which, often, wasn’t great. Emphasizing connection first, Dr. Becky offers a new way to parent, sharing clear advice and examples for setting boundaries with love and compassion. Good Inside is the book I wish I'd had when I was raising my kids; and I'm so glad they'll have it as they raise theirs." — Richard Schwartz, PhD, founder of Internal Family Systems and author of No Bad Parts
"At a time when parents are sorely lacking in stamina and resources, Dr. Becky's wise words and deep insights offer a treasure trove of practical strategies and essential support. Good Inside is the book we all need right now, and the book that will continue to guide us for years to come." — Reshma Saujani, Founder of Girls Who Code and author of Pay Up
“Warning: reading this book might make you a better parent. Whether you’re struggling to get your toddler to calm down or your teenager to open up, Becky Kennedy is a fountain of wisdom. She strikes the ideal balance between affirming your best instincts and challenging you to rethink your worst reactions.” — Adam Grant, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Think Again and host of the TED podcast WorkLife
"Dr. Becky makes a solid case that self-development and child development go hand in hand, and helps readers accomplish both. Flush with useful ideas...parents will find this [book] well worth their time." — Publishers Weekly
Richard Schwartz
"Parenting is the most important job we’ll ever have and the one we get the least training for, so we tend to follow what our parents did—which, often, wasn’t great. Emphasizing connection first, Dr. Becky offers a new way to parent, sharing clear advice and examples for setting boundaries with love and compassion. Good Inside is the book I wish I'd had when I was raising my kids; and I'm so glad they'll have it as they raise theirs."
Reshma Saujani
"At a time when parents are sorely lacking in stamina and resources, Dr. Becky's wise words and deep insights offer a treasure trove of practical strategies and essential support. Good Inside is the book we all need right now, and the book that will continue to guide us for years to come."
Gabby Bernstein
Dr. Becky is profoundly changing the way we parent our kids and the way we parent ourselves. Her innovative work shows parents how to challenge inherited beliefs and behaviors and shift the paradigm of how we understand family dynamics. Her work is proof that we can be the parents we want to be—and that we are all good inside."
Nedra Tawwab
"Dr. Becky teaches parents that the foundation of child-rearing is building a solid relationship with their child and offering themselves grace along the way. Captivating and timely, Good Inside is a book parents can turn to at every stage of development, from infancy to adulthood, to continue building connection with their kids."
Adam Grant
Warning: reading this book might make you a better parent. Whether you’re struggling to get your toddler to calm down or your teenager to open up, Becky Kennedy is a fountain of wisdom. She strikes the ideal balance between affirming your best instincts and challenging you to rethink your worst reactions.
Eve Rodsky
"This book is for any parent who has ever struggled under the substantial weight of caregiving—which is to say, all of us. Good Inside is not only a wise and practical guide to raising resilient, emotionally healthy kids, it's also a supportive resource for overwhelmed parents who need more compassion and less stress. Dr. Becky is the smart, thoughtful, in-the-trenches parenting expert we've been waiting for!"
Library Journal
08/01/2022
Potty-training battles, eating habits, separation anxiety, and sibling rivalry are common parenting woes explored by Kennedy, a clinical psychologist with a private practice dedicated to resolving parenting challenges. Rather than time-outs, sticker charts, or any type of punishment or reward, Kennedy encourages readers to dig in to the child's internal world and view their behavior as a cue for help or need, not an identity. She advocates for a connection—rather than consequence—model of parenting that's centered around viewing a child as "good inside," an idea that may seem, on the surface, to be obvious, yet may not translate into practice for many parents. Kennedy also includes scripts to spark conversation between parent and child on a variety of topics. She explores such issues as looking behind a child's meltdown, combating whining (a little humor goes a long way), and preparing a child to cope with separation or another anxiety they may face. Consent is a critical issue explored in this book. VERDICT The author's choice to base this book on her private practice may limit its audience; nonetheless, the many parents familiar with Kennedy's work will value her suggestions.
