The Gift of Failure
by Jessica Lahey
A teacher and parent argues that rescuing children from failure robs them of competence and resilience, and shows how to step back at home, with homework, friendships and sports. It is practical about the discomfort of letting kids fail and specific about what to do instead.
Read it if…
you cannot stop fixing your child's problems and they are not learning.
Skip it if…
your child is already very independent.
Three things you will actually use
- Autonomy-supportive parenting builds competence.
- Let small failures happen now to prevent large ones later.
- Praise effort and strategy, not outcomes.
Do this first
The next time your child forgets something, let them experience the consequence.
Our verdict
Practical and persuasive; let them fail.
Compare with other Parenting books
The Anxious Generation
Jonathan Haidt · Parenting
Urgent and debated; whatever the final science, the norms are reasonable.
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Good Inside
Dr. Becky Kennedy · Parenting
Warm, specific and practical; a strong parenting book for the early years.
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The Daily Dad
Ryan Holiday · Parenting
Simple and steadying; a good daily companion for parents.
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