Meghan Leahy - Parenting Outside the Lines: Forget the Rules, Tap into Your Wisdom, and Connect with Your Child

The unique structure of this wonderful parenting guide brilliantly simulates a live coaching session. Leahy, the expert, casts competing parenting theories aside in favor of empowering the reader to draw upon our intuition and common sense. She frees us from our fears by confessing to the challenges she herself has faced in raising her own kids. She reassures us that by connecting deeply to our own selves, we can show up more meaningfully and effectively with our kids. The reader emerges feeling supported, and with a journal of deep insight about ourselves. Liberating, hilarious, tender, frank, and instructive, this book is a comforting companion.

Julie Lythcott-Haims, author of How to Raise an Adult

What do parents need now more than ever? The tools to know and trust our intuition, manage the discomfort of uncertainty, and connect in ways that inspire and dont repel our kids. Parenting Outside the Lines shows us that we are the ones weve been waiting for.

Rachel Simmons, author of Odd Girl Out and Enough As She Is

In this great read, Leahy encourages parents to stop worrying about whether theyre doing parenting right and to instead tap into their own parenting intuition and enjoy building a loving connection with their children. Great insight in fourteen practical (and funny!) chapters.

Susan Stiffelman, author of Parenting Without Power Struggles

For years, I have howled in laughter, nodded in agreement, and marveled in wonder at the wit and wisdom that Meghan Leahy has offered parents as a parent educator and writer for The Washington Post. In Parenting Outside the Lines, Meghan shares a deep dive into her thinking, offering parents of all ages not only guidance on how to handle the inevitable challenges of parenting, whether for tots or teens, but more importantly a true north of connection to guide us when we invariably find ourselves in the unchartered terrain that defines modern parenting. A gift to parents, whether to yourself or others, this is a book to learn from, laugh at, and live with, helping you be the parent Meghan confidently assures you already resides within you.

Ned Johnson, coauthor of The Self-Driven Child

Meghan Leahys book Parenting Outside the Lines reads like a reassuring chat with your older, wiser sister, helping pare away the anxiety that can surround parenting today. Leahys deep appreciation for the challenging process of growing a human shines through the no-nonsense writing. With wisdom won through years of working with families, she helps readers understand how they may be sabotaging happy family life. Packed with common sense and road-tested ideas, Parenting Outside the Lines is the insightful, compassionate book that todays parents need to raise their children more confidently and joyfully.

Katherine Reynolds Lewis, author of The Good News About Bad Behavior

A book for every parent who needs the courage, guidance, and kick in the pants to stop whats not working and start over. Refreshingly honest and deeply wise, a blend of brain science and stand-up, this ones a lifesaver.

Karen Maezen Miller, author of Momma Zen and Hand Wash Cold

Meghan Leahy claims to have written a parenting book free of data and studies, but she has actually written one that leans into some of the most important research of all: life experience. This book is equal parts humble and hilarious, deeply wise and immediately actionable. Its like a how-to book and a parenting memoir had a baby. Reading Parenting Outside the Lines is time well spent.

Cara Natterson, MD, author of Decoding Boys

The truth is, no one knows more about parenting our children than we do ourselvesbut its so hard to hear our own voices above the cacophony of information. Fortunately, no one knows more about helping parents learn to trust themselves than Meghan Leahy. Youve always known you have the capacity to build a joyful family life. Parenting Outside the Lines will help you find it.

KJ DellAntonia, author of How to Be a Happier Parent

an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC

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Copyright 2020 by Meghan Leahy

Penguin supports copyright. Copyright fuels creativity, encourages diverse voices, promotes free speech, and creates a vibrant culture. Thank you for buying an authorized edition of this book and for complying with copyright laws by not reproducing, scanning, or distributing any part of it in any form without permission. You are supporting writers and allowing Penguin to continue to publish books for every reader.

The author acknowledges permission to reprint the following: Things You Didnt Put on Your Rsum. Reprinted from Carrying Water to the Field: New and Selected Poems by Joyce Sutphen by permission of the University of Nebraska Press. Copyright 2019 by the Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska.

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Leahy, Meghan, author.

Title: Parenting outside the lines: forget the rules, tap into your

wisdom, and connect with your child / Meghan Leahy.

Description: New York: TarcherPerigee, an imprint of Penguin Random

House LLC, 2020

Identifiers: LCCN 2020000675 (print) | LCCN 2020000676 (ebook) |

ISBN 9780525541219 (hardcover) | ISBN 9780525541226 (ebook)

Subjects: LCSH: Parenting. | Child rearing.

Classification: LCC HQ755.8 .L3747 2020 (print) | LCC HQ755.8 (ebook) |

DDC 649/.1dc23

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020000675

LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020000676

p. cm.

Neither the publisher nor the author is engaged in rendering professional advice or services to the individual reader. The ideas, procedures, and suggestions contained in this book are not intended as a substitute for consulting with your physician. All matters regarding your health require medical supervision. Neither the author nor the publisher shall be liable or responsible for any loss or damage allegedly arising from any information or suggestion in this book.

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For Mark, who believed in me from the start

For my loves, Gigi, Louise, and Sophia, for eating my salmon dinners