As a new mom, I appreciated the raw truth that Dr. Cook brings to the table. Her book is encouraging and inspiring, acknowledging the responsibilities, challenges and achievements that come with raising children. She does this while weaving in exercises on self reflection and personal growth and providing evidence-based context for her approach to parenting. Highly recommend for any parent!
Dr. Cook’s book is like having coffee with your best friend. Reading about her tales of parenthood are enlightening, funny and honest. It’s a very easy read, but with a lot of depth and fact based science, you almost forget she’s a clinical psychologist, and not your new best friend. Grab a coffee and this book, you won’t be disappointed.
Dr. Cook’s candid and humorous descriptions of key aspects of raising infants provide a rich, non-formulaic framework for parenting. She succeeds admirably in reflecting on her own feelings, experiences, and thoughts in a way that stimulates each of us to consider our own “best practices” for nurturing emotionally intelligent and hardy children.
As a mom to a toddler, I wish I had found this book sooner! Whip smart and funny, Dr. Cook helps me feel like I will survive these challenging times. Even though this book is geared toward the younger ages, the sound principles in the book relate to children of all ages. I just felt like she gets me and the book was an easy read. Well researched and documented, yet not heavy, the advice and humor make this book both one to keep and one to give a friend.
This book is part memoir and part practical advice from her experience. It is not an outline of what to expect at each stage of your baby's first two years. Dr. Cook is the narrator which I feel lends authenticity to the narration and brings it alive...who better than to narrate your story other than yourself?
Despite being a clinical psychologist and bringing some science into the book, she makes her stories relatable with lots of humor and practical considerations to consider during baby's first two years (and pre-baby considerations as well). She does not say "do it this way" or "this is the only way" but rather through her stories of her experience offers points to consider. Book sections are organized well with each chapter having a main point that is summarized easily at the end of the chapter. She also provides information in terms of relationship with your significant other (whomever that is for you) that anyone should consider as well. Even though I am past this stage in my life, I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this book and was able to relate to the stories and to the points of consideration.
" When I started looking into family therapy for my mother and me, I immediately hit roadblocks because we live in different states. I started to look for psychologists who were part of the PsyPact and could provide therapy to clients in various states.
I came across Bethany Cook, and I am so glad that I did. Dr. B. was approachable and quick to respond to emails. She was easy and flexible to schedule with and used a confidential video streaming service for sessions. Besides the basic mechanics of being easy to work with, she was also an incredible therapist. She was able to connect with me (20s, female), my mother (in her 50s), and my brother, also in his 20s, on the level that each of us required. She was disarming with her humor and used her real and direct personality to challenge us in a way that was insightful, but still approachable. She made sessions that could have been wracked with tension and apprehension feel hospitable and safe for each of us. I learned a lot of skills from working with Dr. B., and I felt that she gave my mother and me some important tools to improve communication in our relationship going forward. I would highly recommend Dr. Bethany Cook to anyone looking for family therapy, especially for adult children/parent therapy. "
" After years of useless therapy and therapists we finally found Dr. B. No one was ever able to “breakthrough” with my son and I. Dr B did in the very first session. Then she got us through 3 months of in patient rehab, now he’s 1 yr sober.
She took him from “lost” and on a dangerous path to a successful career path! I learned how to be a better dad and he learned how to manage his adhd, his emotions, and things we can’t control. Dr. B gave him the tools he needs to manage everyday mishaps and to know he’s not alone. She made him feel heard and understood, while also helping me to hear and understand him. Dr. B doesn’t mislead you and she’s not in it for the money. She genuinely cares about people and wants to help. I could not be more grateful for her expertise and knowledge. "
" I have been working with Dr. B since March of 2021 and it has truly changed my life. She leads her practice with so much compassion, authenticity, and understanding that I immediately felt comfortable around her. There was never a moment where I felt like I would be judged or something I would share would be ‘too much.’
She has helped me navigate my mid-20s in a way that has left me feeling confident in handling the ups and downs of life that naturally come our way. I use tools that Dr. B has taught me regularly to the point where people close to me know them as well. I will always be grateful to Dr. B for the strength she has equipped me with but even more so, the strength she has shown me I already had. "
" Bethany worked with my son, who was (undiagnosed at the time) on the Autism Spectrum. Oh my goodness!! She was so patient- even when he repeatedly hung up on her, or screamed at her. She ALWAYS found a way to connect, and make things relatable.
She would compare topics to things he was super interested in. (Connecting with people or a team= just like Lego pieces all fit together to make a bigger set.) She gave him the space to talk freely, and deal with all of his emotions, to a "neutral party." It wasn't mom, it wasn't a teacher, etc."
