Elizabeth Whitworth, Author at Shortform Books

How Boundaries in Parenting Help You Meet 4 Challenges

Why doesn’t it always work when you tell your child to stop doing something? What should you do instead? Dr. Becky Kennedy, a clinical psychologist and a mother of three, shares her approach to parenting in her book Good Inside. We’ll take a look at what she has to say about boundaries along with some supplementary advice from No-Drama Discipline. Read more to learn how boundaries in parenting can help you meet four parenting challenges head-on.

The Element of Conflict in a Narrative: The Driver of Change

What’s any story really about—regardless of its plot? What function does conflict serve in a narrative? Writer Lisa Cron contends that stories are about how we, rather than the world around us, change. That change is driven by conflict. Humans are wired to resist both conflict and change. But, ultimately, we know that this is how anything moves forward. Keep reading to learn about the element of conflict in a narrative.

How to Tell if Someone Is Uncomfortable: 3 Body Language Cues

What are some common uncomfortable body language cues? What might you be able to tell by observing their arms and feet? Joe Navarro, a retired FBI Special Agent, is no stranger to people feeling uncomfortable around him. Over time, he realized that certain subtle behaviors pointed to uneasiness. In The Dictionary of Body Language, he shares three cues for identifying discomfort in somebody’s body language. Keep reading to learn how to tell if someone is uncomfortable by observing their actions.

10 Challenges Parents Face: Practical Solutions From Dr. Becky

Are you tired of your child’s whining? Are you concerned about their lying? Are you ready to move past putting out fires and address the root of the behaviors? No, you’re not a bad parent. And, your kids are actually good kids. Parenting is just hard. If you wish it came with a manual, Good Inside might be just what you need. Dr. Becky Kennedy’s book can help you make changes in your child’s behavior while building a positive relationship with them. Keep reading to learn how to address 10 common challenges parents face with solutions from this clinical psychologist

How Connecting With Your Child Helps You Face 4 Challenges

Do you struggle to get your child to listen? Do they throw tantrums or tell lies? Are they afraid to be away from you? Connecting with your child isn’t just beneficial for your relationship; it’s also a powerful tool to address several common parenting challenges. Dr. Becky Kennedy explains how to use connection as a strategy to bring about positive behavioral change in your child. Continue reading to learn specific ways of connecting with your child that can make a difference for the whole family.

Cause and Effect in a Story: Satisfying Our Need to Know Why

How does a well-written story fill our need to understand the reasons behind everything? What does “Show, don’t tell” mean for writers? In Wired for Story, Lisa Cron argues that our brains evolved to absorb information through stories. So, writers must write in a way that satisfies our brains’ expectations of story. This includes creating causal links that appeal to the brain’s need for cause-and-effect structure. Continue reading to learn about the need for cause and effect in a story and how to achieve it.

How to Tell if Someone Is Confident: Body Language Cues

Can you detect confident body language in other people? Do you exhibit subtle behaviors that communicate to others that you’re confident and comfortable? In The Dictionary of Body Language, Joe Navarro offers a reference guide that explains a wide breadth of body language cues. He argues that, with this knowledge, you can improve your relationships and understanding of other people, both at work and in your personal life. Continue reading to learn how to tell if someone is confident at the moment.

The Master and His Emissary by Iain McGilchrist: Overview

What’s the truth about the difference between the right brain and the left brain? Is one dominant over the other? Is one more important than the other? In The Master and His Emissary, Iain McGilchrist argues that pop psychology has given us a wrong—and dangerous—impression of the brain’s hemispheres. He contends that the right hemisphere is more important—and that our failure to recognize this threatens to rob our lives of meaning and happiness. Continue reading for an overview of this contrarian book.

Better Small Talk: Patrick King’s Advice for Talking to Anyone

What’s the point of small talk? Why is it important to be skilled at it? Life is full of conversations—in both personal and professional settings. In Better Small Talk, Patrick King shows how you can improve the quality of your small talk and use it to shift conversations into more interesting and meaningful territory. Continue reading for an overview of this practical and relevant book.

Conversation Résumé + 4 More Ways to Prepare for Quality Talks

Are you prepared to start meaningful conversations and keep them going? Do you have a conversation résumé? If you were to have one, what would go on it? To get better at any sort of conversation, you need to prepare to have it beforehand—in the same way you should warm up your muscles before running a race. Social interaction specialist Patrick King shares five conversation preparation techniques to set you up for greater success in conversations. Keep reading to learn how to always be prepared for quality conversations.