The Power of Showing Up: how parental presence shapes who our kids become and how their brains get wired

What’s the one thing a parent can do to make the most difference in the long run? The research is clear: show up! Now the bestselling authors of The Whole-Brain Child and No-Drama Discipline explain what this means over the course of childhood.

One of the very best scientific predictors for how any child turns out — in terms of happiness, academic success, leadership skills, and meaningful relationships — is whether at least one adult in their life has consistently shown up for them. In an age of scheduling demands and digital distractions, showing up for your child might sound like a tall order. But as Daniel J. Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson reassuringly explain, it doesn’t take a lot of time, energy, or money. Instead, showing up means offering a quality of presence. And it’s simple to provide once you understand the four building blocks of a child’s healthy development. Every child needs to feel what Siegel and Bryson call the Four S’s: safe, seen, soothed, and secure.

Based on the latest brain and attachment research, The Power of Showing Up shares stories, scripts, simple strategies, illustrations, and tips for honouring the Four S’s effectively in all kinds of situations: when our kids are struggling or when they’re enjoying success; when we’re consoling, disciplining, or arguing with them; and even when we’re apologising for the times we haven’t shown up for them. Demonstrating that mistakes and missteps are repairable, this book is a powerful guide to cultivating your child’s healthy emotional landscape.