Psychology & Counseling
![Mona Delahooke - [object Object] author](https://res.cloudinary.com/readsomnia/image/upload/authors/a_B01NBY6RN3.jpg)
Brain-Body Parenting: How to Stop Managing Behavior and Start Raising Joyful, Resilient Kids
From a leading child psychologist comes this groundbreaking new understanding of children's behavior, offering insight and strategies to support both parents and children.
Over her decades as a clinical psychologist, Dr. Mona Delahooke has routinely counseled distraught parents who struggle to manage their children's challenging, sometimes oppositional behaviors. These families are understandably focused on correcting or improving a child's lack of compliance, emotional outbursts, tantrums, and other "out of control" behavior. But, as she has shared with these families, a perspective shift is needed. Behavior, no matter how challenging, is not the problem but a symptom; a clue about what is happening in a child's unique physiologic makeup.
In Brain-Body Parenting, Dr. Delahooke offers a radical new approach to parenting based on her clinical experience as well as the most recent research in neuroscience and child psychology. Instead of a "top-down" approach to behavior that focuses on the thinking brain, she calls for a "bottom-up" approach that considers the essential role of the entire nervous system, which produces children's feelings and behaviors.
When we begin to understand the biology beneath the behavior, suggests Dr. Delahooke, we give our children the resources they need to grow and thrive-and we give ourselves the gift of a happier, more connected relationship with them. Brain-Body Parenting empowers parents with tools to help their children develop self-regulation skills while also encouraging parental self-care, which is crucial for parents to have the capacity to provide the essential "co-regulation" children need. When parents shift from trying to secure compliance to supporting connection and balance in the body and mind, they unlock a deeper understanding of their child, encouraging calmer behavior, more harmonious family dynamics, and increased resilience.
Over her decades as a clinical psychologist, Dr. Mona Delahooke has routinely counseled distraught parents who struggle to manage their children's challenging, sometimes oppositional behaviors. These families are understandably focused on correcting or improving a child's lack of compliance, emotional outbursts, tantrums, and other "out of control" behavior. But, as she has shared with these families, a perspective shift is needed. Behavior, no matter how challenging, is not the problem but a symptom; a clue about what is happening in a child's unique physiologic makeup.
In Brain-Body Parenting, Dr. Delahooke offers a radical new approach to parenting based on her clinical experience as well as the most recent research in neuroscience and child psychology. Instead of a "top-down" approach to behavior that focuses on the thinking brain, she calls for a "bottom-up" approach that considers the essential role of the entire nervous system, which produces children's feelings and behaviors.
When we begin to understand the biology beneath the behavior, suggests Dr. Delahooke, we give our children the resources they need to grow and thrive-and we give ourselves the gift of a happier, more connected relationship with them. Brain-Body Parenting empowers parents with tools to help their children develop self-regulation skills while also encouraging parental self-care, which is crucial for parents to have the capacity to provide the essential "co-regulation" children need. When parents shift from trying to secure compliance to supporting connection and balance in the body and mind, they unlock a deeper understanding of their child, encouraging calmer behavior, more harmonious family dynamics, and increased resilience.
Editorial Reviews
"I adore this book! Brain-Body Parenting updates outdated lenses, offering powerful, practical ways think about and respond to children. Dr. Delahooke shows caregivers how to understand children's emotions and behaviors, and guides us to respond in ways that are transformative both in the challenging moments, and in our child's development over time. Parents, teachers, grandparents, and the children they love, will all be deeply impacted by this beautiful book." -- Tina Payne Bryson, LCSW, Ph.D., New York Times bestselling co-author of The Whole-Brain Child & No-Drama Discipline, and author of The Bottom Line for Baby
In Brain-Body Parenting Dr. Delahooke expands on her paradigm shifting-model of treating children with disruptive behaviors. In contrast to prevailing models that dominate parenting manuals and educational arenas, Dr. Delahooke provides a more compassionate approach that addresses the needs of a child's nervous system and offers insightful examples for readers to rethink and restructure their parenting. This book is a game-changer. -- Dr. Stephen Porges, author of The Polyvagal Theory
"Brain-Body Parenting is an essential guide for parents craving a deeper understanding of their child's needs, as well as their own. Drawing on insight from her decades of experience as a clinician and mother of three, Delahooke shows readers how to be better detectives when interpreting their child's signals and how to apply attuned, responsive care to specifics like sleep, play, and skill development. This book is a gold mine of advice." -- Janet Lansbury, bestselling author of No Bad Kids and host of Unruffled
"Dr. Mona Delahooke's latest book Brain-Body Parenting is an incredible, much needed gift to the parenting world. In her gentle, wise way she explains how our little children can struggle with learning how to navigate life and relationships. She not only shows the why, she shares so many stories of how parents can support their little ones to grow and thrive. This brilliant book needs to be in every home, early childhood setting and primary school." -- Maggie Dent, bestselling author of From Boys to Men and host of the Parental As Anything podcast
"In this revolutionary book, Dr. Mona Delahooke shares powerful insights and groundbreaking research for understanding a child's challenging behavior through the lens of neuroscience and polyvagal theory. With clarity, compassion, and easy to apply strategies, she offers parents and professionals a path to move c...
In Brain-Body Parenting Dr. Delahooke expands on her paradigm shifting-model of treating children with disruptive behaviors. In contrast to prevailing models that dominate parenting manuals and educational arenas, Dr. Delahooke provides a more compassionate approach that addresses the needs of a child's nervous system and offers insightful examples for readers to rethink and restructure their parenting. This book is a game-changer. -- Dr. Stephen Porges, author of The Polyvagal Theory
"Brain-Body Parenting is an essential guide for parents craving a deeper understanding of their child's needs, as well as their own. Drawing on insight from her decades of experience as a clinician and mother of three, Delahooke shows readers how to be better detectives when interpreting their child's signals and how to apply attuned, responsive care to specifics like sleep, play, and skill development. This book is a gold mine of advice." -- Janet Lansbury, bestselling author of No Bad Kids and host of Unruffled
"Dr. Mona Delahooke's latest book Brain-Body Parenting is an incredible, much needed gift to the parenting world. In her gentle, wise way she explains how our little children can struggle with learning how to navigate life and relationships. She not only shows the why, she shares so many stories of how parents can support their little ones to grow and thrive. This brilliant book needs to be in every home, early childhood setting and primary school." -- Maggie Dent, bestselling author of From Boys to Men and host of the Parental As Anything podcast
"In this revolutionary book, Dr. Mona Delahooke shares powerful insights and groundbreaking research for understanding a child's challenging behavior through the lens of neuroscience and polyvagal theory. With clarity, compassion, and easy to apply strategies, she offers parents and professionals a path to move c...
Readers Top Reviews
skmonLily a. Ta
Mona has written a thoughtful, practical and science-based book about how to relationally respond to our child's NEEDS and why they have them in the first place. The game changer, for me, is the why they have them in the first place. It's not hard for me to figure out what my child needs (a sense of safety, for example) but why that might be happening, and validation for my guesses is the piece I have been missing. I feel even more confident in responding the way I want to. Biggest takeaway - viewing outbursts or difficult-to-receive behavior as a gift of information into what's going on with my kiddo. So worth reading. The first half of the book, I could have highlighted over 50% of it.
Jennifer A.skmonL
This book is a must read for any parent, educator or anyone that works with kids! This is the parenting book that needs to be on everyone’s shelves and supports parents on the parenting path from birth through the school years of development. But what is different than other books is this book is based on the most current research of the brain , neuroscience of development, trauma informed and most importantly is compassionate for parents who may have children that have nervous systems and needs that may present as “challenging”. It is all about relational safety and understanding the nervous system in both our kids AND ourselves. One of my favorite take always is the concept she calls “body budget”……so important for us to monitor in ourselves and our children. Also understanding one’s own platform and how it can impact our kids, esp if we are not aware of some of our own “past experiences” and how we have carried them with us. The brain and body need to both be addressed to understand our children in a holistic manner. Thank you Dr. Mona Delahooke for supporting our families and providing the information that actually helps bring more joy to our lives!
Sandi LermanJenni
Dr. Mona Delahooke has written another fantastic book that parents everywhere will love! I was blown away by her last book, Beyond Behaviors, and this one is a fantastic update with strategies specific to parents. In easy-to-understand language, she breaks down how parents can support children through co-regulation and loving relationships, regardless of any challenging behavior. Instead of trying to punish and reward children into compliance, we need to look at what's going on with children's nervous systems -- this book shows you how!
Lisa D.Sandi Lerm
Finally, a book just for parents, liberating them (us) from the “perfect parent” fantasy or “one size fits all” approaches to their child’s challenging behaviors. Instead, Dr. Delahooke invites parents to rethink “managing” behaviors and instead tune in to their unique child, the dynamic between their body and brain, with compassion and curiosity. She reminds us that behaviors, even the hard ones, are good information, revealing both a child’s strengths and areas of challenges. Informed by the latest in developmental neuroscience, the author provides a refreshingly accessible and much-needed parent “roadmap.” It begins with a “whole child” approach. The reader/parent is encouraged to start by observing, understanding, and appreciating the highly individualized body-brain connection that may be influencing your child’s actions/reactions and interactions, especially when their system is under stress. Through various real-life scenarios, Delahooke provides great examples that illustrate and guide parents towards discovering new tools individualized to their child (and them/us!). Incorporating safe, relationship-based strategies, parent and child problem-solve together, to address and shape “difficult” behaviors. BRAIN-BODY PARENTING offers a unique “inside-out” approach to help your child develop self-control and emotional flexibility, while deepening your connection to your child. A rich and enlightening resource for all parents!
Kristen FortunaLi
This book is a must-have for anyone who has influence in the life of a child. Mona Delahooke, Ph.D. takes attachment and neuroscience and makes it usable. This book helps to dig beneath behaviors so that we can show up in a way that builds connection, expands the capacity for regulation, and supports lifelong mental well-being.
