Hannah Aster, Author at Shortform Books

13 Things Mentally Strong Parents Don’t Do—Book Overview

A cartoon image of a woman on a couch in a living room reading a book and smiling.

Why should you let your child experience hardship? How can you prevent your child from acting like a victim? Why shouldn’t you try to cheer your child up when they’re sad? There are countless books telling parents how to give their children the best possible upbringing, but psychotherapist Amy Morin realized that there were few—if any—warning parents about what not to do. That’s why she wrote 13 Things Mentally Strong Parents Don’t Do, describing 13 common mistakes and how to avoid them. Continue reading for an overview of Morin’s game-changing parenting book.

Why You Should Avoid a Perfectionist Parenting Style

A father giving his young daughter a high-five on a plain orange background, representing the avoidance of a perfectionist parenting style

Do you expect your child to get all As in school? Is it good to set high expectations for your child? In her book 13 Things Mentally Strong Parents Don’t Do, Amy Morin says that a perfectionist parenting style is potentially damaging to your child. Mentally strong parents realize that everybody has different strengths and that mistakes are necessary for growth. Here’s why you should encourage your child, but not push them too far.

How to Teach Responsibility to Your Children at a Young Age

A cartoon image of a young boy standing in a clean bedroom while holding a broom, representing teaching responsibilities to your children

Why is teaching responsibility to your children so important? How early should you start? What are the benefits? In her book 13 Things Mentally Strong Parents Don’t Do, psychotherapist and mental strength trainer Amy Morin stresses the importance of instilling a sense of responsibility in your children. Responsible children grow up to be more self-reliant, empathetic, and more. Here’s how to set your child up for success.

Why Overprotective Parenting Is Setting Your Child Back

A mother holding an umbrella over her daughter in the rain, representing overprotective parenting

Why should you let your children experience hardship? What can happen if your children don’t learn to handle pain? According to psychotherapist Amy Morin, being an overprotective parent who handles your children’s problems will cause more issues for them in the long run. Children need to learn how to overcome struggles and build confidence. Here’s why you need to learn to step back and let your child struggle, even though it’s difficult.

Punishment vs. Discipline: Which Is Most Effective as a Parent?

A young boy sitting in a chair in a living room looking sad, representing punishment vs. discipline in parenting

What’s the difference between punishment and discipline? Which one should you be using on your children? While often confused, discipline and punishment are not the same thing. Discipline is the act of teaching your child whereas punishment is making your child suffer for a mistake. Punishments are unhelpful and can oftentimes make situations worse. Continue reading for a deeper look into punishment vs. discipline when it comes to parenting.

How Teach Your Child That It’s Okay to Make Mistakes

A young child in a kitchen accidently pouring milk onto a counter, learning that it's okay to make mistakes

Does your child know that it’s okay to make mistakes? Do you try to fix your child’s mistakes for them? In her book 13 Things Mentally Strong Parents Don’t Do, Amy Morin stresses the importance of not fixing your child’s mistakes for them. Children need to learn that there are consequences to their actions, otherwise they’ll keep making the same mistakes. Here’s how to help your child develop resilience.

How Not to Raise Entitled Children: Maintain a Hierarchy

An entitled child sitting on top of his father, who is laying on the living room floor

Do you want to avoid raising entitled children? How can you prevent your child from running your household? As a parent, you may be tempted to indulge your child’s whims to make them happy. However, overindulging your child can upend your home’s hierarchy and put your child in charge. Keep reading to learn how to keep your home’s hierarchy in check.

What Does “Mentally Strong” Mean in Terms of Parenting?

A cartoon image of a brain in a gym lifting a weight, signifying being mentally strong

What does mentally strong mean, according to psychotherapist Amy Morin? Can mentally strong people handle everything on their own? In her book 13 Things Mentally Strong Parents Don’t Do, Amy Morin explains how to be a mentally strong parent. By following her advice, you can raise independent and confident children. Here’s what it means to be mentally strong.

How to Prevent Learned Helplessness in Children

A painting of a sad young girl sitting in a room, representing learned helplessness in children

Does your child see themself as a victim? How can you avoid instilling learned helplessness in children? As a parent, if you indulge in your child’s self-pity then you’re instilling a victim mentality in them. Instead, help your child acknowledge their failures and work through them. Here’s a look at how to raise self-confident children, from 13 Things Mentally Strong Parents Don’t Do by Amy Morin.

Children’s Emotions and Feelings: Don’t Try to “Fix” Them

A black and white image of a mother hugging her son, who looks distressed, showing children's emotions and feelings

How do you react when your child is upset? Do you always try to cheer them up? Psychotherapist Amy Morin says that parents shouldn’t try to fix their children’s emotions and feelings. Instead, you should offer support while letting them know that it’s okay to feel upset. Here’s why parents need to allow their children to feel upset sometimes.

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