From the author of The Connected Child comes a practical follow-up: The Connected Parent. Karyn Purvis, the foremost authority on Trust-Based Relational Intervention for children from hard places, shares real-life strategies for building trust and attachment. Alternating with Dr. Purvis’s wisdom on neurological science, psychological background information, and guidelines are Lisa Qualls’ stories of trying to apply these principles in real life with her adopted children. The combination makes this more than a book of guidelines and techniques—it is a book that hits home for adoptive parents as they read stories to which they can relate.

In the introduction to this book, we read, “Developmental psychologists and other social researchers commonly believe that a ‘good enough’ parent is usually more than adequate in most situations. For a child who has not experienced much harm, this is often true. But for a child who has a history of harm, the window for parenting successfully is narrower. Many common parenting techniques are actually counter productive for the child from a hard place.” This is why experienced, loving, and skilled parents can find themselves at a loss in knowing how to parent children from hard places. TBRI principles put into practice can help turn a home full of stress, chaos, and conflict into one of peace and even joy.

By reading this book, parents can learn how to effectively use simple scripts, nurture their children, combat chronic fear, teach respect, and develop other valuable tools to facilitate a healing connection with their children. It provides a holistic, research-based parenting approach for children who have endured trauma.

Lisa Qualls has done a masterful job of weaving experiences with her family with the wisdom and the amazing legacy of Dr. Purvis. This book is a “must read” for parents of children from hard places, and parents, if that describes you, I very much encourage you to add the tools in it to your parenting repertoire. The Connected Parent is a blessing that can change lives and bring hope to families. Thank you, Dr. Purvis and Lisa!

- Jane Mose