This book is a well-intentioned but uneven exploration of an important topic that deserves more attention in parenting discussions. It aims to provide a comprehensive overview of responsive parenting, yet it often reads like a dry research paper. The content can feel overly academic, making it challenging to engage with, especially for parents looking for practical advice and relatable narratives. Additionally, some of the sources cited were not always reputable, which undermines the credibility of the arguments presented. Despite these clear issues, the book does manage to deliver valuable information that can spark significant conversations about parenting. The insights offered on responsive parenting are thought-provoking and can serve as a catalyst for deeper reflection and dialogue among parents, educators, and childcare professionals. The book's strengths lie in its commitment to highlighting the importance of attuning to children's needs and fostering emotional connections, even if the presentation could be more engaging and cohesive.

*thanks to NetGalley and Ronald Ruff for an eARC of this book in exchange for my review*

I have mixed feelings about this book. While I deeply believe that the topic of responsive parenting should be more widely discussed, what we have here is a compilation of research that mostly feels like “he googled it so you don’t have to.” The amount of block quotes really threw me off—especially the ones from encyclopedias, dictionaries, and even Wikipedia. It’s not exactly what I expected from a psychology book, if I’m honest.

I want to emphasize that the work Ruff has done in his career certainly seems valuable, but I personally wanted to see more of his own conclusions and discoveries instead of the research that has informed his practice. The last two/three chapters contained more of what I expected, and I wish they had been more developed.

I definitely think that each topic covered in this book deserves a place in parenting conversations, but the dryness of the writing and the lack of cohesion between topics made for a less enjoyable read. Do I think people should read this book? Yes. But it reads kind of like a textbook. Maybe that was the intention? I’m unclear on that. It is excellent fodder for conversation though. Let’s get these topics off the page, people.

As a mom of four this book was fantastic. There were so many great points brought to the table that I hadn’t read before. I loved this new insight on parenting, and it was very easy to follow! Fantastic book

This is a great parenting book that has concrete, scientifically-backed research that is easily digestible and transferable! I really appreciated how accessible this guide was. Even though I don't have children, I have a ton of kids in my life, and this will help me be such a great stakeholder in their development!