The Working Parent's Survival Guide

Thinking Parenting blogger Cleare offers spot-on advice for working parents in her insightful debut. She details the difference between “work mode and parent mode,” advising readers to let go of a to-do list mindset when they arrive at home from work and instead “seize those little moments to establish connection” with their children. She identifies common behaviors that parents fall prey to out of exhaustion, such as giving in because it’s easier, doling out inconsistent punishment, and failing to give kids the undivided attention they need. Then come tips: parents should have a “reasonable plan” and stick to it, for example, as they teach kids to take on responsibilities around the house, model appropriate screen time, and help children manage emotions by acknowledging what they’re feeling and naming it. Cleare’s advice is practical and specific, and her tone encouraging: “Being a successful working parent means... designing a family life in which you can thrive. Because you really matter.” This will be a lifeline for parents struggling to find balance. * Publishers Weekly *
I wish I had read this book when my four children were young. I love the “can do” approach and the lack of judgement about working mothers. I love that it is about parenting and not mothering. Every chapter is full of easy-to-implement small fixes, which I am betting will add up to a big improvement in everyone’s well-being. -- Rachel Connelly, PhD, coauthor of “Professor Mommy: Finding Work-Family Balance in Academia”
A go-to resource for all parents that focuses on the importance of empowering a child through a joyous trial-and-error process. This book contains a wealth of strategies that can help alleviate the daily stresses that come with parenting and also help guide children in taking ownership of their lives and developing a high self-esteem and sense of fulfillment. -- Douglas Haddad, award-winning educator and author of "The Ultimate Guide to Raising Teens and Tweens"
The Working Parent’s Survival Guide is a must-read for anyone who’s struggled to balance the demands of work and the pull of family. Anita Cleare blends the expertise of a trained psychologist, the prose of a gifted writer, and the lived experience of a working mom in her guide to parenting young children calmly, intentionally, and with joy. Cleare offers readers proven strategies for (re)connecting with their kids and reclaiming home-time from work-think. Her advice for fostering a less-stressed, more fulfilling environment at home should be required reading for busy parents of little humans. -- Deborah Vlock, PhD, author of “Parenting Children with Mental Health Challenges: A Guide to Life with Emotionally Complex Kids”
This book suggests ways to tune in to the needs of our children and families by focusing on the quality of time (not the quantity) needed to cultivate better family wellbeing. Written by an expert in child development, the book walks you through strategies for maximizing what time you have with your family to best meet your family's needs. * Provo City Library Staff Reviews *