The Childhood Roots of Adult Happiness: Five Steps to Help Kids Create and Sustain Lifelong Joy

by Edward M. Hallowell

Book Overview

Here, at last, is a book brimming with the good news of raising children--the basic reassuring news about happiness and unconditional love, about enduring family connections and kids who grow up right. Edward M. Hallowell, M.D., father of three and a clinical psychiatrist, has thought long and hard about what makes children feel good about themselves and the world they live in. Now, in The Childhood Roots of Adult Happiness, Dr. Hallowell shares...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0345442334
• ISBN13: 9780345442338
• Release Date: August 2003
• Publisher: Ballantine Books
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.52 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.5" x 8.2"

Customer Reviews

Truly a great tool...

This is a very easy read and GREAT book for explaining and lining out the roots to helping your children be happy within themselves and tips on how to help navigate them through life. This book is extremely helpful in explaining the reason for many of the beahaviors we see in our children but don't understand. The tools in this guide help identify particular traits and behaviors and how to steer these behaviors to a better chance for lifelong tools for creating happy kids! ...and adults! I very good book to add to your parenting library!

This is really what you should base your parenting on.

I just had to agree with previous postings that this is the only book you need to read to get the fundamentals of what parenting should be about. It is practical yet roomy enough to fit many different ideals of family and home. I'm now ordering another copy!

Recommended for Anyone with Children

This is an excellent book, which shows that in childhood you plant the seeds for adult happiness. It gives concrete suggestions about what to do for your children in order to improve their odds of becoming happy adults. A few things struck me in particular: the idea of flow, that we are happiest when we are in activities that we get so wrapped up in that we forget ourselves, the concept that children need to learn how to fail, and how to cope with failure, that being bored is an opportunity, you needn't fill up every minute of your child's time, or orchestrate their play. I'd recommend it to anyone with children, or anyone, such as teachers, that deal with children. Even an unhappy adult, might find out that they have the seeds of happiness within them, they just need some care to make them grow.

Outstanding, Hallowell does it again!

Indeed, one's happiness is best not left to chance! Dr. Hallowell, in his pioneering work with children teaches all of us as parents, educators, and professionals working with children that happiness is about feeling loved, connected, and secure in the world. Through his personal experiences and professional interactions as a child psychiatrist, Dr. Hallowell thoughtfully reminds us of the significance of playfulness, optimism, and joy in our daily lives. This enlightening book is both thought provoking and brilliant and should be read by anyone wishing to enhance happiness in the lives of children!

Wonderful, Wholesome and Loving Advice

This is a wonderful book --- simple steps that can have a major impact on helping a child find joy and happiness. Relevant for children of all ages, this is good advice for parents, teachers and anyone who works with and loves children. Sound, practical and wise advice that emplasizes the importance of connecting with children, appreciating the simple things in life and celebrating the beauty of childhood. Adults can make a difference in a child's life.Take time to read this book. Children are our future!!