What to Say to Kids When Nothing Seems to Work : A Practical Guide for Parents and Caregivers

*Finalist for Best Overall Non-Fiction and Best Parenting & Family Book in the 2020 International Book Awards!*

Struggling to get through to your child? This book gives you the words and strategies that actually work. What to Say to Kids When Nothing Seems to Work delivers a practical, step-by-step approach to navigating the most common challenges parents face with kids aged 5–12. Drawing on over 30 years of experience, mental health professionals show you how to connect with your child in ways that help them calm down faster and build lasting resilience.

Learn to “build a bridge” into your child’s world. Using humor, real-life examples, and ready-to-use scripts, this guide helps you decode your child’s emotions and behavior, then respond in ways that actually make a difference. Customize the sample scenarios to fit your family’s unique style and your child’s personality.

Find what you need, fast. Chapters are organized by common issues―from meltdowns to bedtime battles―so you can jump straight to what matters most right now. Each scenario includes concrete support strategies you can use immediately to manage current struggles and prevent future ones.

Who this book is for: parents, grandparents, caregivers, and professionals working with children and pre-teens who want an accessible, no-nonsense resource for handling the twists, turns, and chaos of everyday life with kids.

Adele Lafrance, PhD, is a clinical psychologist, research scientist, and co-developer of Emotion-Focused Family Therapy. She offers workshops for the general public and mental health agencies worldwide.

Ashley Miller, MD, is a child psychiatrist at BC Children’s Hospital and a clinical assistant professor of psychiatry at the University of British Columbia where she is co-director of family therapy training for psychiatry residents.