Eileen Kennedy-Moore - Kid Confidence: Help Your Child Make Friends, Build Resilience, and Develop Real Self-Esteem

In her warm, accessible style, Eileen Kennedy-Moore has turned conventional thinking about self-esteem on its head. Speaking directly to parents, and to anyone who works with or cares about children, Kid Confidence makes a compelling argument for turning away from frantic attempts to pump up our childrens self-esteem. Instead, Kennedy-Moore lays out a plan to address the need for connection, competence, and choicethree critical factors at the heart of a quiet ego. It is possible to dive into any one chapter and emerge armed with practical suggestions. Better yet, read the whole book. This one is a game-changer.

Dawn Huebner, PhD , psychologist, parent coach, and author of Outsmarting Worry

Kid Confidence is packed with surprising and realistic advice about how we can help kids stop worrying about if they are good enough . In her uniquely wonderful way, Kennedy-Moore also gives us the confidence to handle any parenting challenge.

Diane Debrovner, deputy editor at Parents magazine

The best parenting resource I have seen in several years. Too many children and teens suffer from a negative inward focus on themselves that is self-critical and self-judgmental. Outwardly, they may seem anxious or depressed, worried or discouraged. Child and family psychologist Eileen Kennedy-Moore shows parents the road to helping children develop real self-esteem and a quiet ego through connection, competence, and choice. The book is firmly evidence-based, developmentally based, practically based, and it is fundamentally wise and compassionate.

Carol D. Goodheart, EdD , former president of the American Psychological Association

Not just another parenting book! Eileen Kennedy-Moore relies on solid research to reveal why much of what weve been taught about raising self-confident children is actually counterproductive. Kid Confidence offers a wealth of wisdom and practical strategies aimed at helping parents succeed at instilling their children with authentic self-esteem through reducing self-focus and harsh self-judgment.

Mary K. Alvord, PhD , psychologist, and coauthor of Conquer Negative Thinking for Teens and Resilience Builder Program for Children and Adolescents

An exciting alternative to most books about self-esteem. Eileen Kennedy-Moore helps parents boost their childs skills in the critical areas of making friends, making choices, and mastering the ups and downs of the learning process. Every parent, grandparent, and school counselor can benefit from the specific tips and guidance in this book. Wise, compassionate, and grounded in the latest research, Kid Confidence delivers on its promise to help children develop authentic confidence.

Meg Selig, NCC , a retired counselor, and author of Changepower!

Traditional approaches to building self-esteem and confidence often encourage a rather egoic approach that can inadvertently make children more self-focused, insecure, and unhappy. Drawing on the latest theory and research in psychology, Eileen Kennedy-Moore offers insights and advice by which parents can foster their childrens well-being by promoting their social connections, competence, and feelings of choice and control. Not only are these the pillars of happiness and lifelong well-being, but when parents focus on these important considerations, self-esteem and self-confidence take care of themselves.

Mark R. Leary, PhD , Garonzik Family Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at Duke University, and author of The Curse of the Self

In this enlightening and refreshing book, Eileen Kennedy-Moore puts forth the premise that we cant just teach our kids to have self-confidence, but rather that we grow it with them through our relationships. Parents and teachers alike will benefit from the books powerful message that our connection with our kids is the foundation of self-esteem.

Mona Delahooke, PhD, clinical psychologist, and author of Social and Emotional Development in Early Intervention

What child couldnt use some help through the rocky road of childhood? Be it making friends, making good decisions, or having a can-do attitude, Eileen Kennedy-Moore skillfully guides parents in how to help children develop authentic self-esteem, and build their resilience to meet the inevitable rough patches and pressures of growing up today. Kid Confidence provides vital understanding and strategies to cultivate confident kids that parents can confidently send out into the worldwith pride.

Susan Newman, PhD , social psychologist, and author of Little Things Long Remembered and The Book of NO

Kid Confidence is a must-read parenting book! Eileen offers keen insight into how to ease a childs harsh self-focus, which is the foundation for raising an emotionally healthy child.

Maureen Healy , author of The Emotionally Healthy Child

Kid Confidenc e is essential reading for those who seek to guide children who experience low self-esteem. Eileen Kennedy-Moore emphasizes the importance of connection, competence, and choice. She conveys a wealth of understandings, and shares practical strategies designed to help children temper tendencies toward harsh or negative self-focus. For example, she discusses how to forge meaningful relationships, maximize effort, recognize unproductive rumination, build decision-making skills, and develop the confidence and joy of a quiet ego. Kennedy-Moore reveals myriad ways kids can embrace a kinder, realistic, more empowered sense of self.

Joanne Foster, EdD , educational consultant, and award-winning author of five books on child development, giftedness, and productivityincluding Beyond Intelligence ; Not Now, Maybe Later ; and Bust Your BUTS

Kid Confidence effectively takes on the wrongheaded but popular idea that a childs self-esteem is built on heaps of praise and the absence of criticism, and instead presents clearly articulated strategies to help your child become more resilient, self-reliant, and happy. Eileen Kennedy-Moore casts a wide net, discussing every aspect of a childs life, including relationships with adults, siblings, and friends; learning to manage emotions; and acquiring social skills. Along the way, she highlights the impact predictable problems will have on the development of healthy self-esteem, and how to counter them. Informed by both her clinical experience and the latest psychological research, she has given parents a valuable guidebook to navigating the hard job of raising children well.

Peg Streep, author of Daughter Detox and Mean Mothers

In Kid Confidence , trusted child development resource Eileen Kennedy-Moore brings to light an important, but often overlooked, truth: Real self-confidence occurs when kids feel connected, competent, and in control, not when parents pour on the praise. Packed with practical, research-based strategies to build resilience and self-esteem, Kid Confidence is essential reading for all parents.

Katie Hurley, LCSW, author of No More Mean Girls and The Happy Kid Handbook

Kid Confidence is a practical and compassionate guide for any parent seeking to boost a childs self-esteem, grounded in the latest research. Eileen Kennedy-Moore puts to rest the misguided idea that telling kids theyre terrific will boost confidence, and instead gives parents effective strategies for building their childrens actual capability. The believable dialogue and case studies will help readers strengthen their childrens ability to tackle friendship issues, perfectionism, indecision, and low confidence. With youth anxiety and mental illness growing to epidemic levels, Kennedy-Moore has written the book all parents need to read. We need Kid Confidence now more than ever.

Katherine Reynolds Lewis , certified parent educator, and author of The Good News About Bad Behavior