Book Review: Stress Free Kids by Lori Lite

I recently had the opportunity to review the book, Stress Free Kids: A Parent’s Guide to Helping Build Self-Esteem, Manage Stress, and Reduce Anxiety in Children by Lori Lite.

My initial interest in the book was based on the title alone. We recently added another child to our family and I worried that the changes that accompany a new baby might negatively impact our older son.

Stress Free Kids is an easy-to-read book that’s full of tips and activities to help relieve the stress your children might feel as a result of different specific situations and from life in general. Lite does a great job of explaining how a parent’s stress might impact her child and offers ways to overcome the causes of stress. She includes concrete examples of games and phrases that can be used to help children.

The book encourages relaxation and breathing exercises and positive affirmations. I have to admit, I was skeptical at first. Those types of activities usually make me feel silly. After trying it, though, I find that they are useful tools. They have allowed me to slow down and refocus so I can react to situations in a way that is more positive than if I had reacted without thinking. They are also tools my son can use so he can do the same.

This is a book that is good to read and then keep on hand to reference as situations arise in the future. It is broken into sections based on real-life situations, offering step-by-step instructions. It is free of judgement. In fact, Lite shares her own story of stress that led her to research and write about reducing stress to help others.

This book came at a great time for me. As I mentioned, we have a new baby at home. As a result of my lack of sleep and a busy schedule, I know that I have not always acted in ways that reflect the parent I want to be. Stress Free Kids is written in a way that allows me to incorporate small changes as we are able, while still feeling like we are heading in the right direction for reducing stress.

I would recommend Stress Free Kids to other parents, even those who do not feel their child is experiencing stress. Lite’s suggestions are great parenting tips in general. The book is relevant to parents of children of all ages.