Consumer Critique: Quiet Kids

Disclosure: I received complimentary products to facilitate this post. All opinions are my own.

If you are an extrovert, you may find it hard to understand introverts, and vice versa. Extroverts often see introverts as shy and withdrawn, moody, and left out. This can be a problem if your child is an introvert and you're an extrovert. Quiet Kids: Help Your Introverted Child Succeed in an Extroverted World is a book written for parents to help their children thrive, even when they don't seem to "fit" in today's busy, fast-paced, loud world.

I liked this book for several reasons. First of all, it presented a positive view of introverts, bringing up characteristics that serve them well. It was written in a clear, explanatory tone, without being too academic or preachy. It was also well organized. There were worksheets for parents and kids to fill out, "in a nutshell" sections at the end of each chapter to help summarize, anecdotes, personal stories, research, and tips. Although the book is designed for parents, she has also added a "class notes" section to aid teachers and educators in the use of the book. It's very comprehensive too, covering home, school, and play, and a brief chapter on looking forward to the future of your introverted kids.

If you're an extrovert with an introverted child, it's well worth your time in educating yourself about how to best meet them where they're at without pushing too much of your own personality on them. This book seems to handle the balance well of celebrating what makes introverts who they are, while encouraging strategies for success with those who don't understand introverts well.