Parenting from the Inside Out, by Daniel Siegel and Mary Hartzell, is a beautifully written book addressing the importance of attuned and loving parent-child relationships as well as the importance of understanding how our own experiences as a child impact and influence how we parent.

Illuminating ground-breaking research in the field of “interpersonal neurobiology”, Dr. Siegel and Ms. Hartzell explain how the parent-child relationship directly affects brain development. And in doing so, they offer a step-by-step approach to forming a deeper understanding of their own life stories which directly support raising compassionate and resilient children. Combining Dr. Siegel’s research into how communication influences brain development with Ms. Hartzell’s 40 years experience as a child development specialist and parent educator, has resulted in a guide for parents for creating the necessary foundations for loving and secure relationships (“secure attachment”) with their children.

How many parents have found themselves thinking: I can’t believe I just said to my child the very thing my parents used to say to me! Am I destined to repeat the mistakes of my parents? In Parenting from the Inside Out, the authors explore the extent to which our childhood experiences actually do shape the way we parent and offer great hope and possibility of “it is never too late”. As they say in Parenting from the Inside Out:” Nurturing relationships support our growth by helping us to make sense of our lives and to develop the more reflective, integrated functioning that emerges from secure attachments. There is always hope and possibility for change.”

This book is a must for parents, caregivers, grandparents, and anyone else who cares about the well-being and healthy development of our children. It is a rich resource and helpful guide in embracing the importance of self-reflection and self-learning in life.