"The fourth edition of Mary Sheedy Kurcinka’s Raising Your Spirited Child is a masterful blend of science, wisdom, and actionable advice. Part of the genius of Kurcinka’s work is her ability to see the positive aspects of every child’s temperament and to provide sage advice on encouraging and appreciating the better angles of their nature. The refrain of ‘calm, connect, and coach’ is a new element in this edition, and it provides a useful template for actually dealing with many children’s issues. A grand addition to the library for parents, grandparents, aunties, childcare providers, and babysitters."

– Charles M. Super, Ph.D., and Sara Harkness, Ph.D., MPH,
professors of human development and pediatrics,
University of Connecticut

"Enter Dr. Mary’s classroom and you’ll soon see that this guide isn’t just a quick overview—it’s a transformative series of lessons that will build your confidence and skills in connecting with your spirited child. Along the way, you’ll also uncover insights about yourself that will make you a better parent, partner, colleague, and friend."

– Janet Crow, M.D., professor of pediatrics,
University of California San Diego

"All of my pediatric training could not prepare me for the wonderful, crazy, exhausting adventure of raising spirited twin boys. Mary’s book gave me the tools not only to help my family survive but also to thrive! Raising Your Spirited Child should be essential reading for every pediatrician."

– Jill Simons, M.D., F.A.A.P. Diplomate,
American Board of Pediatrics member

"If you have a child who is more—more intense, more persistent, more sensitive—you probably already know who Mary Sheedy Kurcinka is. She wrote the book on spirited children, literally: Raising Your Spirited Child. The newly revised fourth edition is just as reassuring and eye-opening as the first edition. But it’s completely rewritten and updated, with more step-by-step advice, concrete examples, and practical tips. Just the new chapter on helping spirited kids get to sleep will be worth the price of the book for exhausted parents. Kurcinka’s great asset is that she helps even the most frustrated parents appreciate their spirited children’s strengths. In this book she takes her commitment to positive parenting a step further, giving parents the hands-on tools they need to ease the challenges of life with a spirited child, without resorting to punishment. This book is wonderful."

– Laura Markham, Ph.D., author of
Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids

"Ten years ago, I would have paid $1,000 for a copy of Raising Your Spirited Child if I had known how much trouble it would have saved me."

– St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Raising Your Spirited Child is loaded with how-tos—not how to change the child, but how to interact positively and minimize difficulties."

– Bloomington Pantagraph