In a world so filled with tension and anxiety, how do we as parents keep our children feeling strong, capable and secure? That question is answered in The Secure Child by Dr. Stanley I. Greenspan, a clinical professor of psychiatry at George Washington University Medical School.

This book is a must for all parents struggling to give their children the kind of inner resources they will need to become strong and successful adults. It is filled with ideas and suggestions to reassure and guide children of all ages along their life path with the abilities necessary to handle whatever stressors they may encounter. Covering children from toddlerhood to teenage years, The Secure Child examines the many fear-inducing events in life that may cause children to react fearfully, and how we can help them to react with courage and adaptability to an ever-changing outer environment.

The concrete suggestions this book offers will help alleviate many a parent’s fears about how to help their children cope with terrorism, bad news, violence, bullying, low self esteem, doubts, and general childhood fears and worries in ways that allow the child to learn the skills, rather than just having the parent “fix” everything for the child. As a mom, I truly appreciate this book, as it helps me help my son to find his own power and resources, not just learn to lean on mine.

The opening chapter teaches us what makes a secure child, and subsequent chapters then focus on the particular age groups and what specific issues they tend to encounter, as well as how to deal with those issues. Not just for parents, this book is a priceless guide for teachers, counselors and anyone who works with children and wants to make them feel better about themselves, and their ability to function in the world.

The Secure Child focuses on the needs of children as they grow and change, and serves as a wonderful preparation tool for kids as they are about to enter the outside world of school and life itself beyond their own house. I strongly recommend this book for any parent, parent-to-be, teacher, religious leader and counselor because if our children are strong and secure, perhaps they will become the kind of adults this world so desperately needs more of…functioning, capable and kind.