I like parenting books. I don’t generally read them and then change my entire parenting strategy (although Kids are Worth It! certainly made me change some things). I like to see what other people have to say, and hopefully take at least one bit of wisdom and be better for having learned it (actually, I TRY to do this with most books I read).

This book is different from others I have read in that it examines new research in the science of child development that has largely been overlooked by the general public, probably because it directly refutes what we have come to believe is true and obvious about parenting. We hear so much advice as parents, and we ignore much of it; this book gives us the opportunity to learn some of the recent scientific findings before we decide whether or not to put them aside as well.

I have heard a lot about this book, and have been excited to read it – much of its contents is controversial and surprising. The introduction promises that we will be shocked, and that much of what we think we know about our children is based on incomplete science. “The intent of this book is not to be alarmist, but to teach us to think differently–more deeply and clearly–about children. Small corrections in our thinking today could alter the character of society long-term, one future-citizen at a time.” There are ten chapters, each about a different topic. I am going to post about each one separately.

Tomorrow: All about praise and how it messes up our kids.

Other posts about NurtureShock:

Post 1: NurtureShock, by Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman
Post 2: Your Brain is a Muscle
Post 3: Sleeping Makes Kids Smarter
Post 4: Race is a Tricky Topic
Post 5: Tattletails and Liars
Post 6: IQ Tests for Toddlers
Post 7: I Love My Sister
Post 8: Those Wacky Teenagers
Post 9: Learning Through Play
Post 10: Daddy, Hug Mommy Now
Post 11: I am Raising a Little Chatterbox