Mentally Strong Parenting with Amy Morin
Dr. Dan introduces listeners to Amy Morin in this episode. The two experts discuss resilience, happiness, and Amy’s new book 13 THINGS MENTALLY STRONG PARENTS DON’T DO: Raising Self-Assured Children and Training their Brains for a Life of Happiness, Meaning and Success.
Amy Morin is a licensed clinical social worker, psychotherapist, an instructor at Northeastern University and a foster parent. In 2013, her article, “13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do,” became a viral TedxTalk sensation when it garnered more than 50 million views and eventually became an internationally bestselling book.
Amy’s personal journey of resilience after losing her mother and husband helped her become mentally strong and today her advice is helping millions. In today’s interview Dr. Dan and Amy explore the heart of her book 13 Things Mentally Strong Parents Don’t Do: we can teach children of all ages—from preschoolers to teenagers—to build mental muscle and develop into healthy, strong adults by using empowered language, sending healthier messages on achievement and failure, and increasing courage instead of decreasing fear.
During the interview Dr. Dan picks some of his favorites from Amy’s list what parents should not do including:
Don’t Make Children the Center of the Universe
Don’t Shield Your Children From Pain
Don’t Allow Fear to Dictate Your Choices
Don’t Give Your Children Power over You
And Amy brings up such diverse topics as divorce, death, moving across the country, correcting homework, friendship coaching, social media kindness, chores and more to demonstrate all the ways kids can instead of can’t in their lives. Dr. Dan agrees – we must show our children we trust them and believe they are capable contributors.
Amy Morin’s Parent Footprint moment is about her own personal experience as a therapeutic foster parent to a 14-year-old girl who desperately wanted to go to summer camp. Amy was able to accept the girl’s decision and was able to parent past her own fears.
Amy Morin is a much sought after speaker and her TEDx talks is one of the most popular of all time. Her advice has been featured by major media outlets including Parenting, Time, Fox News, CNN, and Oprah.com. She serves as a parenting expert for Verywell and she’s a columnist for Forbes, Inc., and Psychology Today.