Here, at last, is a book brimming with the good news of raising
children--the basic reassuring news about happiness and unconditional
love, about enduring family connections and kids who grow up right.
Edward M. Hallowell, M.D., father of three and a clinical psychiatrist,
has thought long and hard about what makes children feel good about
themselves and the world they live in. Now, in The Childhood Roots of
Adult Happiness, Dr. Hallowell shares his findings with all of us who
care about children.
As Dr. Hallowell argues, we don't need statistical studies or
complicated expert opinions to raise children. What we do need is
love, wonder, and the confidence to trust our instincts. This inspiring
book outlines a 5-step plan that all parents can use in giving their
children the gift of happiness that will last a lifetime. Connection,
play, practice, mastery, and recognition: as fundamental as these five
concepts are, they hold the key to raising children with healthy
self-esteem, moral awareness, and spiritual values. Dr. Hallowell
explores each step in depth and shows how they work together to foster
trust, respect, and joy.
Privilege, wealth, and expensive "extras" are not necessary for
happiness--there are many stories here of children who have overcome
poverty, abandonment, and shocking deprivation to find true fulfillment.
Dr. Hallowell encourages us as parents to reconnect with the moments in
our own childhoods that made a difference; he explores the impact of
genetics and environmental factors on the inner workings of a child's
mind; and he discusses how activities like team sports, community
service, religious observance, and household chores can foster a child's
sense of mastery.
Like the works of T. Berry Brazelton and Benjamin Spock, The Childhood
Roots of Adult Happiness is infused with the wisdom and humanity of a
doctor who truly loves and understands children. Writing with the warmth
of a friend and the authority of an expert, Dr. Hallowell gives us a
book at once practical and exuberant, joyous and informative,
eye-opening and reassuring. Ultimately, this book is a celebration of
childhood and of the magic that happens between parents and the children
they love.
