For readers of The Body Keeps the Score and The Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read—a fresh, non-nonsense parenting guide that explains how you can still be a great parent (even if you didn’t have one yourself).
Many of us didn’t have a perfect childhood. But that doesn’t mean we can’t be good parents. In Parent Yourself First, licensed family therapist Bryana Kappadakunnel argues that the secret to successful parenting is to UN-learn the unhealthy patterns you grew up with, so you can find a better way forward with your own children. Even if that means throwing out everything you think you know about raising a kid.
As the founder of the popular Conscious Mommy community on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok, Kappadakunnel explains that your upbringing is probably impacting your parenting style in ways you don’t even fully recognize: from how you deal with conflict to how you praise them (or don’t) when things go well. In Parent Yourself First, she shares powerful stories from parents she’s counseled, in-depth research on the latest development in trauma and neuroscience, and guided exercises to put the learnings into practice. Her promise: it’s never too late (or too early!) to transform into the parent you were always meant to be—grounded, present, intentional, compassionate, and confident. You can break free of past patterns that no longer serve you and shed generational trauma. Only then can you begin to truly connect with your child, understand their needs, and guide them to a happy, healthy life they deserve.
