The revised and updated fourth edition of Mary Sheedy Kurcinka’s perennial bestselling book, which has helped guide multiple generations of parents whose children are simply more—intense, sensitive, perceptive, persistent, and energetic.

Do you ever wonder why your child acts the way they do? Are you at a loss on how to guide the development of your child’s emotional intelligence? Do you find yourself getting frustrated with frequent meltdowns and feeling like you’re at the end of your rope? Educator and parenting expert Dr. Mary Sheedy Kurcinka is here to assure you that you're not alone and that many parents are dealing with the same challenges! You're not a bad parent—your child may just be spirited.

In the fourth revised edition of Raising Your Spirited Child, Kurcinka offers every parent a glimpse into what makes their spirited children behave the way they do. Through real-world examples culled from her vast experience as a consultant and educator, and offering a refreshingly positive viewpoint, this invaluable guide supplies parents with emotional support and proven strategies for handling the most challenging situations. Developed and honed for success over decades, this simple program will help you discover the power of positive—rather than negative—labels, understand your child’s and your own temperamental traits and how to use them to your advantage, help parents cope with tantrums and blowups when they inevitably occur, develop strategies for handling mealtimes, bedtimes, holidays, school, and so much more.

Completely revisited and revised for the modern era of parenting, this edition includes:

• The new Spirited Child Approach: This core methodology invites parents to focus on three simple, but vital, concepts; calm, connect, and coach. This research-based and parent-tested, approach interweaves the latest findings from the fields of temperament, secure attachment, sleep, development, neurobiology, and self-regulation.
• Emphasizes the calming effect of structure: Structure is the preventive measure that stops challenging behaviors before they start. Dr. Kurcinka demonstrates how to build a solid foundational structure that brings predictability into daily routines, keeps children focused on the task at hand and assures basic needs are met.
• Addresses the impact of social media and screen time on relationships and wellbeing, not just for the child but for parents too: Face it: we're all hooked on our screens. No guilt or shame here, just insightful questions that encourage informed use and offer healthy alternatives when a few minutes of peace or distraction are needed...for both you and your children.
• Prioritizes sleep for everyone (without leaving anyone to cry it out): Adequate sleep and practical strategies to get it are of vital importance, and infused throughout the book. Sleep is the best self-care strategy for parents and children alike.

Including self-surveys for quick diagnostics and simple tips for today’s time-challenged parents, this newly updated edition of Raising Your Spirited Child will allow you to foster the supportive, encouraging, and loving environment for your children that you've always wanted.