13 Things Mentally Strong Parents Don't Do: Raising Self-Assured Children and Training Their Brains for a Life of Happiness, Meaning, and Success

In her international bestseller 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do, Amy Morin taught us what it takes to be mentally strong. Now she teaches parents the unhealthy habits to avoid in order to raise mentally strong children.

Do you prevent your child from making mistakes? Do you give your child power over you? Do you parent out of guilt? If so, you’re not alone. Every parent wants to provide the best and safest future for their child. But in today’s increasingly complicated and scary world, many parents have taken things a step too far, mistakenly believing that giving their children the best chance at a successful life involves trying to shield them from pain and reality.

From free-range parenting to helicopter parenting, many of today’s popular parenting practices aren’t allowing parents to teach children the skills they need to become mentally strong adults. In 13 Things Mentally Strong Parents Don’t Do, Morin demonstrates to parents through easy-to-follow steps what not to do—the unhealthy thoughts, behaviors, and feelings that hold adults back from raising mentally strong children. Drawing on the insight she has gained from her experiences as a psychotherapist, an expert in family and teen therapy, and a foster parent, Morin combines case studies, practical tips, and proven exercises to help children of all ages—from preschoolers to teenagers—build the mental muscle and grit they need to grow stronger and become prepared for a better, brighter future.

The 13 Things Mentally Strong Parents Don’t Do

1. They Don’t Condone a Victim Mentality
2. They Don’t Parent out of Guilt
3. They Don’t Make Their Child the Center of the Universe
4. They Don’t Allow Fear to Dictate Their Choices
5. They Don’t Give Their Child Power over Them
6. They Don’t Expect Perfection
7. They Don’t Let Their Child Avoid Responsibility
8. They Don’t Shield Their Child from Pain
9. They Don’t Feel Responsible for Their Child’s Emotions
10. They Don’t Prevent Their Child from Making Mistakes
11. They Don’t Confuse Discipline with Punishment
12. They Don’t Take Shortcuts to Avoid Discomfort
13. They Don’t Lose Sight of Their Values