Big Kids, Bigger Feelings: Navigating Defiance, Meltdowns, and Anxiety to Raise Confident, Connected Kids

Campbell (Tiny Humans, Big Emotions), CEO of Seed & Sew, an online resource for parents, and Lounder, a parent and researcher, tackle the heavy-hitting issues that affect children between the ages of five and 12—peer pressure, changing bodies, technology use—in this practical manual. Many parents expect things to get easier once their child leaves diapers and tantrums behind, but as Campbell and Lounder explain, the elementary school years bring their own unique challenges. Parents can avoid some battles with their kids by teaching healthy coping skills and ensuring certain needs, like food and sleep, have been met. The authors also make a convincing case for communicating openly about sex, contending that normalizing curiosity helps kids feel safe bringing up bigger topics, such as sexual abuse and pornography, later on. Drawing from personal experience and psychological research, Campbell and Lounder demonstrate that the elementary school years are a crucial time to lay the groundwork for healthy parent-child relationships. In one powerful example, Campbell shares how a couple she worked with felt rejected when their daughter started to pull away but were able to reconnect with her by acknowledging her fluctuating emotions and need for autonomy. Packed with relatable anecdotes and accessible parenting tools, this compassionate guide delivers. (Sept.)