Raising children takes a lot of work, time and effort, something not to be taken lightly. Everything that you do, from your words to your actions, affects your child not only now, but resonates well into their future. The Practical Guide to Raising Emotionally Healthy Children by Dr. Nekeshia Hammond is a profound resource for parents. As Dr. Hammond states, a parent can be anyone that has a vested interest in the development and well-being of a child. If you have questions about how to communicate with your child, bullying, ways to incorporate exercise, how to pull them away from their game system or conflict resolution development, The Practical Guide to Raising Emotionally Healthy Children has the answer and much more. Each chapter is self contained and is set up to guide you through the various layers of parenting. At the end of each chapter you will see a summary outlining critical points that are important for you to embrace immediately. We all know that as children grow up, they may have issues with their self-worth. In Chapter 7, What Are the Benefits of Praising?, there is a quiz that your child can take to determine their self-esteem and self-confidence, which is a great starting tool. If you need to delve further into the information in the guide, there is an extensive resource list that provides the links and books used to create the guide.

When I began reading The Practical Guide to Raising Emotionally Healthy Children, a song written by Lori McKenna, sung by Tim McGraw “Humble and Kind,” resonated with me. McKenna wrote the song for her five children. The words in the song are simple: remember to say please, thank you, open the door, be humble and kind. How we raise our children does reflect on their future. These attributes are what will develop accountable, productive, healthy and trustworthy adults. The words of a parent ring in the ears of their children, so what does or will your child hear and remember from you? Whether you need help or a few reminders about parenting, The Practical Guide to Raising Emotionally Healthy Children by Dr. Nekeshia Hammond has you covered.