Smart Parenting for Smart Kids

WINNER! Mom's Choice Gold Award for parenting books -- Mom's Choice Awards: The best in family-friendly media "e;My kid is smart, but..."e; It takes more than school smarts to create a fulfilling life. In fact, many bright children face special challenges: Some are driven by perfectionism; Some are afraid of effort, because they're used to instant success; Some routinely butt heads with authority figures; Some struggle to get along with their peers; Some are outwardly successful but just don't feel good about themselves. This practical and compassionate book explains the reasons behind these struggles and offers parents do-able strategies to help children cope with feelings, embrace learning, and build satisfying relationships. Drawing from research as well as the authors clinical experience, it focuses on the essential skills children need to make the most of their abilities and become capable, confident, and caring people.

WINNER! Mom's Choice Gold Award for parenting books -- Mom'sChoice Awards: The best in family-friendly media"My kid is smart, but..."It takes more than school smarts to create a fulfilling life. Infact, many bright children face special challenges:* Some are driven by perfectionism;* Some are afraid of effort, because they're used to instantsuccess;* Some routinely butt heads with authority figures;* Some struggle to get along with their peers;* Some are outwardly successful but just don't feel good aboutthemselves.This practical and compassionate book explains the reasonsbehind these struggles and offers parents do-able strategies tohelp children cope with feelings, embrace learning, and buildsatisfying relationships. Drawing from research as well as theauthors' clinical experience, it focuses on the essentialskills children need to make the most of their abilities and becomecapable, confident, and caring people.

Note to the Reader ixAcknowledgments xiIntroduction: Rethinking Potential 11 Tempering Perfectionism: What Is "Good Enough"? 10Michael: Focusing on flaws 13Kirsten: Deflecting blame 20Sam: Avoiding activities at which he doesn't excel 30Angela: Feeling inadequate 332 Building Connection: How Does Your Child Reach Out to Others? 43Andrew: Seeking an audience rather than a friend 48Clay: Avoiding joining the group 55Amalia: Feeling rejected by peers 633 Managing Sensitivity: How Does Your Child Handle Criticism, Conflict, and Disappointment? 80Mario: Perceiving betrayal 83Jessica: Balking at constructive feedback 90Samir: Chafing at a change of plans 97Collin: Shouldering the world's woes 1094 Handling Cooperation and Competition: How Does Your Child Fit in a Group? 118Steven: Insisting on his way 121Anita: Being a sore loser 130Misha: Fearing competition 138Craig: Dealing with competition in the family 1465 Dealing with Authority: How Does Your Child Respond to Those in Charge? 161Lisa: Being blind to authority 164Nicholas: Making everything an argument 177Stephanie: Fretting about adults' anger 1926 Developing Motivation: What Matters to Your Child? 200Ethan: Avoiding schoolwork 203Jared: Complaining that schoolwork is boring 208Diane: Not applying herself in school 2217 Finding Joy: What Makes Your Child Feel Happy? 238Monica: Finding fault instead of fun 242Conner: Searching for personal meaning 251Conclusion: The Pressure to Perform Versus the Power to Grow 272Selected References and Recommended Reading 277About the Authors 291Index 293