Community Corner

Finally: Parenting Book Focused on Parents, Not Kids

Jennifer Senior talks 'paradox of parenting' in new book, 'All Joy and No Fun.'

We’ve heard of Tiger Moms, Helicopter parents and the free-range approach.

As a parent, a large part of the day is comprised of worrying -- mostly about your children. Are they happy? Are they safe? Will they get into a good college and be a decent human being? What's the best way to ensure we're raising successful, well-adjusted kids?

We live in a culture filled with parenting psychology centered on what’s best for our children. While we’re busy analyzing how our choices affect their lives, we often forget to look at parenting from the flip-side perspective: how do children affect the lives of their parents?

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In her newly-released book, “All Joy and No Fun,” New York magazine contributing editor Jennifer Senior explores just that.

The book shares parenting insights that are parent-focused -- don’t make your children the center of your universe, why you shouldn’t worry so much about their happiness -- and gives parents permission to be less hard on themselves.

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Senior recently sat down to talk with Time magazine and was the topic of Sunday’s New York Times book review. From the best thing moms can learn from watching dads to the truth about adolescence (it’s harder on parents), Senior’s book works to uncover what she calls the “paradox of parenting,” a phrase she tells Time she stole from a friend.

“[It’s] the idea that moment-to-moment happiness might be compromised, but that in the overall scheme of things you are ecstatically happy about this one large, meaningful project you have undertaken.”

At Patch, we’re especially dedicated to content that connects parents. We want to know what you think!

If you’ve read the book (or even if you haven’t had a chance to check it out yet) share your thoughts in the comments below, on our boards, or start a Patch blog of your very own.

We hope you’ll use this space to share your own parenting insights, experience and advice. Questions? Email moderation@patch.com.




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