The Emotional Lives of Parents

Dr. Lisa Damour, the New York Times bestselling author of Untangled, Under Pressure, and The Emotional Lives of Teenagers, has redefined how we understand adolescence. Now, in this groundbreaking and compassionate guide, she decodes the challenging, often taboo emotions that parents face themselves. Raising a child stirs up powerful feelings—many of them intense, many of them uncomfortable, and all of them deeply human. Written for parents at every stage, from early days to empty nesting, The Emotional Lives of Parents unpacks the feelings parents rarely talk about openly—such as anger, envy, and shame—with the same nuance and compassion that has made Dr. Damour a trusted resource for families around the world. Drawing on decades of clinical practice and psychological research, this book explores why parenting evokes such strong emotions, how these reactions can either support or undermine our caregiving, and why it’s so vital that we care for ourselves as an integral part of caring for our children. Parents who read this book will learn: • the science behind the powerful emotions that are part of parenting—from stress and anger to sadness and guilt • how these psychological reactions affect our ability to provide what our children need most: warmth and structure • strategies for staying steady and grounded in the emotional turbulence that comes with raising kids • how to navigate feelings that are overwhelming, painful, surprising, or unwanted Written with clarity, warmth, and clinical wisdom, The Emotional Lives of Parents helps us understand and manage our feelings as caregivers, even the ones that are taboo, offering not judgement but reassurance--and a path toward greater calm, confidence, and connection.