The Childhood Roots of Adult Happiness by Edward M. Hallowell

What we do need is love, wonder, and the confidence to trust our instincts. Hallowell argues, we dont need statistical studies or complicated expert opinions to raise children. Hallowell shares his findings with all of us who care about children. (Oct.)įorecast: The publisher plans a solid media package, including an 8-city author tour, but Hallowell's name alone will boost sales. Now, in The Childhood Roots of Adult Happiness, Dr. Though occasionally overly sentimental, Hallowell's heartfelt message is essential for our fast-paced, electronic age, reminding parents and children alike to slow down, enjoy life and learn to play well. Instead, he says, parents should focus on social/emotional health and happiness, creating an environment in which kids are free to 'develop the muscles of confidence, optimism and hope.' Drawing upon the research of optimist expert Martin Seligman, happiness researcher Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi and others, the author offers a solid case for establishing joyful childhood roots that form the basis of adult contentment.

It's easy to get caught up in the 'great riptide that sucks kids out of childhood and into an achievement fast lane as early as nursery school,' Hallowell warns. Hallowell, M.D., was an instructor at Harvard Medical School for twenty years and is now the director of the Hallowell Centers in Seattle, San Francisco, New York City, and the Boston area. Kids do not need perfect lives, and learn from adversity and failure, but for the best chance of future happiness, Hallowell says, they need five basic tenets: to feel connected, to play, to practice, attain mastery and receive recognition.

What children really need, according to the author, are unconditional love from someone (not necessarily a parent) and the opportunity to revel in the magic and play of childhood. Hallowell argues that kids do not need straight As, a crammed schedule of extracurricular activities or even a traditional family in order to become contented adults. Hallowell ( Driven to Distraction) provides a refreshing look at what children really need in order to grow up to be happy adults.

The Childhood Roots of Adult Happiness by Edward M. Hallowell