Podcast Episode 35: Shifting from “Parent-think” to “Family-think” with Baby Whisperer co-author Melinda Blau

Should we be “familying” instead of parenting? We’re joined in this episode by award-winning journalist and author Melinda Blau, the author of fifteen books, best known for her work as the voice of the Baby Whisperer books, a collaboration with the late Tracy Hogg. Those well-loved books have been translated into 22 languages. Melinda’s latest book, Family Whispering, carries those ideas forward. Melinda outlines compelling reasons to shift our focus from the parent-child relationship to a more holistic approach that takes into consider the family as a whole, creating investment of all members in the well-being of the household. It means that kids are asked to help establish house rules, but also to contribute meaningfully to the work that needs to be done. This episode is full of actionable advice for making your family life run more smoothly while raising industrious, responsible kids.

Here are some great resources related to my discussion with Melinda.

Melinda’s latest book Family Whispering

Melinda’s website

Melinda’s Huffington Post advice column, “Dear Family Whisperer”

Melinda’s other books, including the Baby Whisperer with Tracy Hogg series

The Marshmallow Test

Melinda’s Favourite Parenting Advice:
“The best advice I ever received was to accept my child for who he was. My son is dyslexic and in those days it was not on the tip of everybody’s tongue the way it is now. I majored in special ed, but they didn’t teach anything about it then. And I felt horribly guilty. But he had a tutor who was a wonderful women and she said to me, ‘This is the brain he was born with. He’s very smart but he doesn’t learn like other kids. YOu have to accept that and then move on from there. Once I was able to do that, to this day it’s the one thing I always hammer home in all my articles and speeches. You’ve got to accept the child you have instead of wishing he was different. This child is an individual and he’s got his own agenda and his own path. The best you can do is guide that child and work with what he has.”

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