Kids These Days: A Game Plan For (Re)Connecting With Those We Teach, Lead, & Love
Book Description
What if the key to unlocking potential lies in understanding the minds of today's youth? Dive into 'Kids These Days: A Game Plan For (Re)Connecting With Those We Teach, Lead, & Love' and discover a transformative blueprint for bridging generational gaps. Jody Carrington combines cutting-edge research with heartfelt anecdotes, illuminating the emotional landscape of children and the adults in their lives. With practical strategies that spark connection and foster resilience, this book is a roadmap for anyone striving to navigate the complexities of modern relationships. Are you ready to transform your interactions and make a lasting impact?
Quick Book Summary
"Kids These Days" by Jody Carrington explores how adults can truly connect and have a transformational impact on the children and youth they teach, lead, or parent. Carrington draws from her experience as a psychologist, sharing compelling stories and backed by contemporary research, to explain the emotional needs and challenges faced by modern young people. She encourages adults to shift from seeking to simply manage behaviors to genuinely understanding the roots of kids’ actions—which are often rooted in their experiences and relationships. The book outlines practical, actionable strategies for creating connections, fostering resilience, and repairing relationships when disconnection occurs. Carrington’s approach is compassionate, direct, and deeply human, emphasizing that authentic relationships—not rigid rules—are the foundation for growth and learning.
Summary of Key Ideas
Table of Contents
Connection Over Correction
A core message in Jody Carrington’s book is that true change and positive influence with youth come from connection, not just correction. She insists that kids flourish when adults invest in building authentic relationships rather than focusing solely on discipline or behavioral management. Carrington blends research with heartfelt anecdotes to illuminate the pivotal role adults play in how children behave, learn, and develop psychologically. By shifting the focus from managing problems to understanding and connecting, adults are better positioned to guide the young towards constructive growth.
Emotional Regulation Starts with Adults
Carrington stresses that helping kids regulate their emotions starts with adults mastering their own self-regulation. Often, adults expect children to “just calm down” or “behave,” yet young people primarily learn emotional skills by observing and mirroring the grown-ups around them. Carrington provides practical strategies—like self-reflection, modeling calm behavior, and intentionally responding (not reacting) in tense situations—that empower adults to foster stability and predictability for children, especially during moments of stress or conflict.
Repairing Relationships After Disconnection
The book addresses the inevitability of ruptures or disconnections in relationships. Carrington normalizes these breaks as part of any authentic relationship and offers a blueprint for repair. Instead of shame or blame, she encourages honesty, humility, and vulnerability when addressing mistakes or misunderstandings with children. Apologizing and taking responsibility are powerful tools that not only restore trust but also model for youth how to handle interpersonal breakdowns in their own lives.
Understanding the Impact of Trauma and Stress
Carrington highlights the pervasive impacts of trauma and stress on today’s youth, noting that behaviors often seen as “problematic” can be rooted in hidden anxieties or repeated adverse experiences. The book urges adults to view challenging behaviors through a trauma-informed lens—to ask “what happened to you?” rather than “what’s wrong with you?” By cultivating empathy and understanding, adults can reduce stigma and help children feel seen, valued, and safe—even as they navigate adversity.
Building Resilience Through Authentic Relationships
Ultimately, Carrington’s framework centers on building resilience by fostering authentic, consistent relationships with young people. Through keeping promises, being genuinely present, and making space for laughter and joy, adults can plant the seeds of trust and fortitude. The book is filled with actionable exercises, scripts, and mindset shifts that empower teachers, parents, and leaders to create the conditions where every child feels connected and capable of thriving, no matter their background or challenges.
Download This Summary
Get a free PDF of this summary instantly — no email required.