The Parents' Guide to Psychological First Aid: Helping Children and Adolescents Cope with Predictable Life Crises
As any parent can attest, every news cycle brings warnings of the newest threats facing children. Bullying remains a constant problem, with a new front: social networks. Substance abuse trickles down to elementary schools. Students choke each other to near-unconsciousness for the high. All parents struggle with helping children grow up the right way, certain that the decisions they make on a day-to-day basis will forever affect the outcome of a child’s life. While there will never be a manual for parents, this guidebook to “psychological first aid” deserves a place on every parent’s bookshelf. The range of issues discussed is remarkably comprehensive and usefully organized by categories: health, family, social/peer, school, anxiety, sexuality, adolescent, and  “unique stressors” (which includes a chapter on how to determine whether professional counseling is indicated). All chapters provide clear, constructive information and directions that can help both parents and therapists in family counseling settings. While every single decision won’t make or break children, this excellent resource will help many adults navigate parenting’s difficult decisions. --Matthew  Tiffany