Raising Humans with Heart: Not A How To Manual

Midwest Book ReviewRaising Humans With Heart: Not a How-To Manual lives up to its name, providing a book for parents of toddlers to teens which illustrates the concept of having heart and connects it to leading a good life. Many an adult will find this holds surprising lessons for them; not just about past childrearing pros and cons, but in its insights about human development: "Decades later, we still haven't figured out what kind of parenting leads to optimal human development, but we're getting closer and know that connection and attachment are key." Sarah MacLaughlin explores different parenting styles, their impact on the entire family, and how kids feel and process emotions. Her discussions about creating inclusive communities, subconsciously sabotaging relationships and teachings, and normalizing gender and sexuality differences provide thought-provoking inspections of conscious and unconscious choices that either lend to or detract from building big-hearted kids. From identifying and acknowledging stories of victimization and powerlessness and changing them, to developing a more conscious perspective of what it means to have a heart, MacLaughlin provides the nuts and bolts of embracing diversity and gratitude. This will enhance not only a child's training, but the entire family's interactions. Perhaps this is the greatest difference between Raising Humans With Heart and other books appealing to parents. It's not a "parenting" book, per se, but an inspection of the intrinsic belief systems and approaches to life that make us better humans. Those seeking an instructional guide to better overall living and social interactions, beginning with kids, will find Raising Humans With Heart the perfect starting point for fostering a better world.