How to Stop Losing Your Sh*t with Your Kids: A Practical Guide to Becoming a Calmer, Happier Parent

I have told almost anyone who would listen about this book. It has opened my eyes to my triggers, lack of boundaries and how to communicate better internally and with my kids. I checked it out from the library months ago and am looking to buy a permanent copy for myself and a friend. I find the author totally relatable, funny and practical. I feel it’s changed so much about my approach to parenting.

Basically, if you're really suffering with issues, go more serious and in-depth. If no, snag a copy for a light read to help yourself. If this book were a coffee it would be a vanilla latte. Sweet, smells good, if you need caffeine but don't drink coffee like a sieve, it does the job. I'm unfortunately looking more for like, double-shot red eye, cream, no sugar, twice daily. I should preface this by saying I have CPTSD and am a single parent, but I found this author completely unrelatable, other than she is, well, a mother. She reminds me of a kind/sweet/privileged/oblivious/successful/hardworking mom in the carpool line with her ducks in a row/giant ring gleaming/PhD education/supportive hardworking husband at his upper-middle income job, who is telling the other mom like her (not me) about a gluten-free diet for the kids as they pile in the minivan and how it's superior to whatever diet they just did. You know, as a family. Neat. Sorry, no, she doesn't mention diets in the book, trying to be funny and not too harsh, hope that is not misleading. Author seems smart and knows her stuff. Just not for me. Not everyone has friends and family they can just send their kids to when they need a break or a co-parent that helps, also, which was maybe one thing that hit a big nerve for me. If you're like me, a single parent, not much support, and have more serious behavioral issues with your emotions and kids, I would say find a more in-depth book. It's the first one I tried though, so to the library before I recommend something else. I didn't like the build up to what she "would be" telling me. Reading the first pages I thought, already bought the book, don't need a chapter to "sell" me on what's in it. And what is up with this lady and Netflix? She mentioned it so much, does her husband work there? I don't want to get back to watching Netflix or hear parenting advice from celebrities, which is sprinkled randomly amidst other perky, cheerful stuff I just... I couldn't stand. If I wanted Jack Black's parenting advice I would read a book Jack Black wrote. As someone with more complex issues this was too skimmy, too sweet, too light, and after two chapters, I lost interest. She gives resources for people who are like me, but it didn't tell me much I don't already know on that front. I hope you have fewer problems than me, learn more from it, and enjoy it more.