The Mindful Parent: Strategies from Peaceful Cultures to Raise Compassionate, Competent Kids

Over the last four decades, American hospitals have seen a steady increase in children suffering from psychological disorders, peer violence, and suicide attempts. To figure out why this is happening and how to put an end to it, child psychologist Dr. Charlotte Peterson has been spending six months every five years living in indigenous villages and observing their parenting practices. What she''s found is that the people of peaceful cultures, particularly the Tibetan, Bhutanese, and Balinese people, know something we Westerners, despite our modernity, don''t, and their children are happier, healthier, and more balanced because of it.

What Dr. Peterson has found is that the children in these cultures are raised with a high degree of cherishing and empathy. Attachments are promoted by intensive nurturing of infants and gentle, clear limit-setting with toddlers that teaches self-control and builds self-esteem. The result, as Dr. Peterson has found after visiting these places again and again, is children who are trusting, enjoyable, and kind, --not "spoiled," as we might imagine.

The Mindful Parent brings together Dr. Peterson''s village interviews, observations, research, and over thirty-five years of work as a psychologist to teach modern parents how to raise healthier, more well-balanced, and kinder children. It includes creative ideas from parents who are currently adopting these practices and balancing other aspects of their personal, career, and financial responsibilities to assure their children get the support they need to thrive.

Charlotte Peterson, Ph.D. has been a psychologist in private practice for over thirty-four years working with adults, couples, adolescents, and children. Prior to receiving her doctorate, she taught at the University of Oregon as Senior Clinical Supervisor of School Psychology. Dr. Peterson’s specialties are in Child Psychology, Prenatal, Postpartum, and Infant Mental Health with a particular focus of helping parents promote positive psychological development in their children to prevent early emotional wounding. She has served as Vice Chair of the Oregon Healthy Start Advisory Board, was a member of the Lane County Perinatal Mood Disorder Project, and the Lane County Infant Mortality Commission, and the Founder and President of the Oregon Network for Infant Mental Health (ONIMH) for ten years. Dr. Peterson lives in Eugene, Oregon, with her son and daughter, both of whom will become first-time parents in Fall 2015.