When Your Kid is Hurting by Dr. Kevin Leman.

I think one of the toughest parts of parenting is when your child is in trouble and you aren't sure how to help them. My kids are still small enough that most troubles can be solved with hugs, reassurances, and maybe a few skittles but I'm well aware that these days are speeding by too quickly so I was curious to see what approach Dr. Leman would take with his most recent work.

Overall, I was pleased to see Dr. Leman favouring a practical approach to handling crisis. When Your Kid is Hurting combines basic counselling principles and parenting techniques into a relatable, easy to read book introducing parents to the challenges and troubles youth and children face today. I was especially pleased to find the last third of Leman's book took the format of an extended Q & A. This section was probably my favourite feeling like a form of case study and really shaping the previously presented material in a format that made it easy to see how things played out in real life. This section combined with the many inserts including reviews or reference lists help the book serve as an easy reference when needed.

I was also pleased to see that Leman did his best to introduce a plethora of issues common to kids today giving the book wider application. I know there are amazing in depth books on helping kids with mental illness, divorce, grief, etc.  . but with many people today reading less it's helpful to have a general book like this that touches on many things. 

I was also happy to notice that with this broad and general approach Leman took the time to address the parents themselves. He looks at common parenting reactions and walks parents through their own response to tough times. I love that Leman acknowledges the interconnection of family and how everyone needs to own their own role.

There were times I felt the generation gap in Leman's tone or approach with some of the more prevalent issues today. While he always acknowledged the gravity, some sections felt like the complexity of the issue was skirted over.

4 out of 5 stars.

I received this book as part of the Revell Reads book tour in exchange for my honest opinion.