A Mind of Their Own: Building Your Child's Emotional Wellbeing in a Fast-Changing World

These are anxious times. While soaring prices, climate change fears, escalating
global conflicts and the latest political struggles may not be at the forefront of the
minds of our children, the atmosphere in which they live, learn and work can feed
their fears.
The incessant rise of social media has changed the cultural landscape of our times.
We are living through a mental health crisis. Every day there is a bombardment of
messages from smartphones, laptops and TV screens, that "you can be anyone"
or "find your strength inside you". But what if you can't? What if there is always
someone better, brighter, more beautiful on another screen? What if ... you fail?
As they struggle with these impossible objectives, children are growing up beset
with anxiety and low self-esteem. How can parents build mental wellbeing so
children can grow into well-adjusted adults?
Offering encouragement, insight, action points and practical activities, A Mind
of Their Own explores the stages of brain and emotional development and the
impact of home life, social media, peer pressure, isolation, and the socio-economic
environment on children and teenagers as they develop. Katharine Hill wisely
tackles the more difficult topics such as anxiety and depression, eating disorders
and self-harm in a non-sensational way, and always with practical advice on what
to do in challenging situations.
Celebrating and affirming the strength of family life, as well as addressing the tests
and trials of recent times, A Mind of Their Own is a lifeline for parents who want to
build resilience in their children. Children who are secure in their own identity.

Table of Contents:

Foreword
Preface
Acknowledgements
Chapter 1: You Were Never Their Age
Chapter 2: Family Matters
Chapter 3: What Are You Thinking?
Chapter 4: What Does Success Look Like?
Chapter 5: It's OK to be Ordinary
Chapter 6: It's OK to be Emotional
Chapter 7: Let's Talk
Chapter 8: You Can't Do It ... Yet
Chapter 9: The Power of Praise
Chapter 10: That's the Line
Chapter 11: Best Friends Forever
Chapter 12: It's OK to Fail
Chapter 13: They're Listening
Chapter 14: Be Body Confident
Chapter 15: Screens and Social Media - Friend or Foe?
Chapter 16: I'm There for You
Chapter 17: It's OK to Feel Sad
Chapter 18: You'll Bounce Back
Chapter 19: Step Out
Chapter 20: It Takes a Village
Chapter 21: A Mind of Their Own
Appendix - Further Help and Support

About the Author :

Katharine Hill LLB JP is Director of Care for the Family, a popular author, speaker and
broadcaster on family issues and a regular contributor for local and national media. She
has practised as a family lawyer and leads on CFF's policy agenda representing the
organisation at government level. Katharine is married to Richard, and they have four
grown-up children and seven grandchildren.

Review :

'This book could not be more timely. I believe it to be one of the most
important parenting books of our time. If you are a parent, carer, or work
with children in any capacity, I would urge you to read it.'
Rob Parsons OBE, Founder and Chairman, Care for the Family

'In the 15 years I have been working with and parenting traumatized children
in care, I have seen first hand how vital it is to provide mental health support
and to nurture resilience - even for the very youngest of our children. In
a post-COVID world, where all children everywhere have experienced
trauma, disruption and insecurity to some extent, Katharine Hill's book is
more important than ever. It offers so many hopeful and practical ideas, and
I commend it warmly.'
Dr Krish Kandiah, Author, social entrepreneur and Chair of the
Adoption and Special Guardianship Leadership Board

'Authoritative and actionable, with every chapter subtly steeped in the science
of mental wellbeing and distress, this book breathes confidence into parents
that they have what it takes to help their children grow into emotionally
healthy adults.'
Dr Samantha Callan, Director, Family Hubs Network

'As a psychologist and a mum, I can confirm the latter is much harder!
Reading this is like sitting down with a wonderfully experienced, well
informed, beautifully calm and practical friend. Full of practical tips as well
as empathy and stories shared by many other parents who have journeyed
through things before you, it will help you hold your nerve when times are
hard, and give you great ideas for positive steps to open up possibilities and
break unhelpful patterns so you can feel more in control and help your
children model healthy emotions and learn the skills they need to navigate
the complex but exciting world they are growing up in.'
Dr Kate Middleton, Psychologist and Director of the Mind and Soul Foundation


'We have known Katharine for many years and have seen that she has
practised what she writes about. Any parent will find her advice easy to read
and her practical suggestions difficult to ignore. A Mind of their Own is
both important and timely. It is full of ideas that any parent can implement
to bring small changes to their family life that can have a huge impact on
their child's wellbeing. We recommend it to every parent who wants to help
their child develop character, emotional resilience and healthy relationships.'
Nicky and Sila Lee, co-authors of The Parenting Book
and The Marriage Book

'It has never been more important to think about children's resilience and
wellbeing and this book is a great place to start. Katharine Hill has delved
into the psychological literature so that you don't have to. The result is a
short and punchy overview of the evidence that stays firmly rooted in the
realities of family life. All served up with wisdom, common sense and lots of
practical suggestions. What more could you ask for?'
Glynn Harrison, Emeritus Professor of Psychiatry, University of Bristol

and retired consultant psychiatrist.
'This vital book tackles one of the most important issues of our time - our
children's emotional wellbeing'
John Gallacher Professor of Cognitive Health, University of Oxford