Here, we explore how to be better parents, better partners, and better people one book, one idea, and one conversation at a time.
I’m a passionate explorer of human potential, a transformational coach, and a mother of three on a mission to help parents grow alongside their children. Through my work, I empower parents with the tools, insights, and mindset shifts they need to raise resilient, confident, and thriving children – while becoming their best selves in the process. I strongly believe that great parenting starts with personal growth.
I’m a passionate explorer of human potential, a transformational coach, and a mother of three on a mission to help parents grow alongside their children. Through my work, I empower parents with the tools, insights, and mindset shifts they need to raise resilient, confident, and thriving children – while becoming their best selves in the process. I strongly believe that great parenting starts with personal growth.
For a year, I put the best parenting tools and strategies to the test in my own family, documenting the insights, challenges, and transformations along the way. The Wise Parenting Project is where I share these real-life experiencespractical, heartfelt, and packed with lessons you can apply in your own home.
Check out my
Free-Range Kids How Parents and Teachers Can Let Go and Let Grow Lenore Skenazy Jossey-Bass; 2nd edition (3 Jun. 2021)
Parenting has a sneaky way of pushing all your buttons – sometimes all at once. One second you’re calmly making
The Anxious Generation How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness Jonathan Haidt Penguin (26
“Hi, my name is Irina, and I feel quite anxious about letting my 10-year-old walk by himself to school.“ That
Parenting is the toughest, most rewarding job on the planet. It comes with no salary, no paid time off, and
Parenting is the ultimate test of emotional resilience. On my quest to become a more proactive and less reactive parent,
The First National Bank of Dad. Book Summary The Best Way to Teach Kids About Money David Owen Simon &
Grit For Kids 16 Top Steps For Developing Grit, Passion, Willpower, And Perseverance In Kids For Self-Confidence And a Successful
Parenting The Lean Way Business Inspired Solutions for Empowering the Family Jared E. Thatcher Thatcher & Company, LLC; 1st edition
Attached Are you Anxious, Avoidant or Secure? How the science of adult attachment can help you find – and keep
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and while it’s easy to focus on grand romantic gestures (cue overpriced roses
Deep Work Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World Cal Newport Piatkus; 1st edition (5 Jan. 2016) Book |
Blink The Power of Thinking Without Thinking Malcolm Gladwell Penguin; 1st edition (23 Feb. 2006) Book | eBook | Audio
In 2024, I managed to squeeze in 20 books. That’s right—20. Not 30, not 50, and definitely not 100 like
Happy New Year, dear friends! Another year complete. And what a year it’s been. As I reflect on 2024, it’s
Most Likely To Succeed Preparing Our Kids for the New Innovation Era Tony Wagner and Ted Dintersmith Scribner (27 Aug.
Hidden Potential The Science of Achieving Greater Things Adam Grant Virgin Digital (26 Oct. 2023) Book | eBook | Audio
Grow Up Becoming the Parent Your Kids Deserve Gary John Bishop Yellow Kite (14 Sept. 2023) Book | eBook |
Freeing Your Child from Negative Thinking. Book Summary Powerful, Practical Strategies to Build a Lifetime of Resilience, Flexibility, and Happiness
When The Parents Change, Everything Changes. Book Summary Seismic Shifts in Children’s Behaviour Paul Dix Penguin (Sep 2023) Book |
Eat That Frog! Book Summary Get More Of The Important Things Done Today Brian Tracy Hodder & Stoughton; 1st edition
Parenting is a tough job. If you’ve ever found yourself yelling, nagging, or rolling your eyes at your kids, you
The Power of TED. Book Summary The Empowerment Dynamic David Emerald Polaris Publishing; Fourth Edition (1 Mar. 2015) Book |
I’m sure you’ve heard it before. Hell, you’ve probably said it. That classic playground threat: “We’re going now. If you
Dare to Lead Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts. Brené Brown Random House; First Edition (9 Oct. 2018) Book |
No-Drama Discipline The Whole-Brain Way to Calm the Chaos and Nurture Your Child’s Developing Mind Daniel Siegel and Tina Payne
The Psychology of Money Timeless lessons on wealth, greed, and happiness Morgan Housel Harriman House (8 Sept. 2020) Book |
Level 35 unlocked! My mind still thinks I’m in my early twenties, but the mirror reminds me that I’m not.
Nudge Improving Decisions About Health, Wealth and Happiness Cass R. Sunstein and Richard H. Thaler Penguin; 1st edition (5 Mar.
In my last post, I talked about the sneaky supervillain that not only sabotages my gentle parenting efforts but also
Most days, I give myself mental high-fives for being a calm and positive parent. Yet, there are moments when it
Building a Second Brain. Book Summary A Proven Method to Organise Your Digital Life and Unlock Your Creative Potential Tiago
Raising tiny humans is pure joy, but let’s be honest – between the whirlwind of laughter and tears, the to-do
The Mindful Body. Book Summary Thinking Our Way to Lasting Health Ellen Langer Robinson (7 Sept. 2023) Book | eBook
Unplug and Play. Book Summary The Ultimate Illustrated Guide to Roughhousing with Your Kids Anthony DeBenedet, Lawrence Cohen Quirk Books
As the calendar flips its pages towards Valentine’s Day, our minds naturally gravitate towards the real MVPs in our lives
Help Your Boys Succeed. Book Summary The essential guide for parents Gary Wilson Network Continuum Education (28 July 2008) Get
Mindsight Transform Your Brain with the New Science of Kindness Daniel Siegel Oneworld Publications (1 May 2010) Book | eBook
Elite Minds How Winners Think Differently to Create a Competitive Edge and Maximize Success Dr. Stan Beecham McGraw Hill (16
Hello, 2024! It’s that time again— new year, new beginnings, and a brand-new reading list! Last year, I took on
Happy New Year, dear friends! Ah, 2023 was a productive year for books! I set out to read 23 and
Emotional Agility Get Unstuck, Embrace Change and Thrive in Work and Life Susan David Penguin; 1st edition (3 Aug. 2017)
Awaken The Giant Within. Book Summary Take Immediate Control of Your Mental, Emotional, Physical and Financial Destiny Anthony Robbins Simon
Good Inside. Book Summary A Practical Guide To Becoming a Parent You Wanted to Be Dr Becky Kennedy Thorsons (15
The Champion’s Mind How Great Athletes Think, Train, and Thrive Jim Afremow Rodale Books; Reprint edition (15 May 2015) Book
The Explosive Child – Book Summary A New Approach for Understanding and Parenting Easily Frustrated, Chronically Inflexible Children Dr. Ross
Limitless Upgrade Your Brain, Learn Anything Faster, and Unlock Your Exceptional Life Jim Kwik Hay House Inc (7 April 2020)
The Opposite of Worry. Book Summary The playful parenting Approach to Childhood Anxieties and Fears Lawrence J. Cohen Random House
Are you looking for a great roughhousing activity to enjoy with your child? Well, look no further! I’ve got three
The Leader in Me. Book Summary How Schools Around the World Are Inspiring Greatness, One Child at a Time Stephen
In my quest to prioritise play this year, I decided it was time to get better at roughhousing with my
If your heart skips a beat every time you see your children engaging in roughhousing, take a deep breath because
Everything is Figureoutable. Book Summary Marie Forleo Portfolio; First Edition (September 10, 2019) Book | eBook | Audio About the
Becoming Flawesome The key to living an imperfectly authentic life Kristina Mänd-Lakhiani Hay House, Inc. (June, 2023) Book | eBook
In the FLO. Book Summary A 28-day plan working with your monthly cycle to do more and stress less Alisa
We live in a world that loves to complicate things, especially when it comes to raising children. But amidst all
Seeking practical tips to boost your well-being? Embrace playfulness! Play has a transformative power that often goes overlooked in our
Think Like a Rocket Scientist Simple Strategies for Giant Leaps in Work and Life Ozan Varol Virgin Digital (14 April
Ever caught yourself in the midst of a parenting moment, only to realize that you’re not really enjoying playing with
After digging into the science of play for a while, I’ve come to a simple conclusion. We all need to
One of my parenting resolutions this year was to have regular Special Time with each of my three children. So
Do you want to have relationships with our children that are full of joy, cooperation, harmony, and, most of all,
Being a parent can be a tough job. There’s no guidebook, no rulebook, no nothing. And in a world where
The Power of Showing Up How Parental Presence Shapes Who Our Kids Become and How Their Brains Get Wired Daniel
Playful Parenting An Exciting New Approach to Raising Children That Will Help You Nurture Close Connections, Solve Behavior Problems, and
The 5 Love Languages. Book Summary The Secret to Love that Lasts Gary Chapman Northfield Publishing; Reprint edition (11 Dec.
Experts suggest that having Family Meetings for just 20 to 30 minutes each week can help families stay connected, work
How We Learn. Book Summary The Surprising Truth About When, Where and Why It Happens Benedict Carey Bluebird; Main Market
When you have to get three little kids out the door on time in the morning, it’s really hard to
The Family CEO job is probably one of the most demanding in the world—loads of multitasking, working long hours and
The Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read. Book Summary (and Your Children Will Be Glad That You Did) Philippa
The Molecule of More How a Single Chemical in Your Brain Drives Love, Sex, and Creativity – and Will Determine
After reading Bruce Feiler’s book The Secrets of Happy Families, we were chewing on the idea of creating a Family
We have three little boys. Each of them has a unique character and a distinctive set of strengths. And although
One night last week, we had an unexpected visitor in our bedroom. The intruder slid between the sheets, hugged me
The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership Follow Them and People Will Follow You John C. Maxwell Thomas Nelson; 10th edition
As I worked to identify my resolutions for the Wise Parenting Project, some overarching principles started to emerge. I wrote
When planning my Wise Parenting Project, I first had more than fifty resolutions on my list. Then I quickly realized
Stress-Proof The ultimate guide to living a stress-free life Mithu Storoni Yellow Kite (10 Jan. 2019) Book | eBook |
My first parenting resolution this year is to create a Family Mission Statement. I must say, we are not starting
I love reading. I love learning. I love putting big ideas into practice. Today I want to launch the Wise
Teach Your Children Well Why Values and Coping Skills Matter More Than Grades, Trophies, or “Fat Envelopes” Madeline Levine Harper;
Hello, 2023! One of my last year’s resolutions was to read 22 books during the year…and I (narrowly) failed! This
Another year has almost passed, and it’s time for a bit of reflection and review. In general, 2022 was rather
Irresistible Why We Can’t Stop Checking, Scrolling, Clicking and Watching Adam Alter Bodley Head (2 Mar. 2017) Book | eBook
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families. Book Summary Stephen R. Covey Simon & Schuster UK Ltd; (1999) Book |
Play How It Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul Stuart Brown with Christopher Vaughan J P
Thinking, Fast and Slow. Book Summary Daniel Kahneman Penguin (3 Nov. 2011) Book | eBook | Audio About the
Jordan Peterson is one of the greatest thinkers of our time. And although some of his ideas may not resonate
The Yes Brain Child Help Your Child be More Resilient, Independent and Creative Daniel Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson Simon
The Strength Switch How the new science of strength-based parenting helps your child and your teen flourish Dr Lea Waters
Bored and Brilliant How Spacing Out Can Unlock Your Most Productive and Creative Self Manoush Zomorodi Macmillan; Airside & Irish
Nobody likes tantrums. Neither do I. So whenever I’m reading a parenting book, I grasp every strategy that may potentially
Happy Together. Book Summary. Using the Science of Positive Psychology to Build Love That Lasts Suzann Pileggi Pawelski and James
Mind in the Making – Book Summary The Seven Essential Life Skills Every Child Needs Ellen Galinsky MarinerBks; 1st
The Conscious Parent. Book summary Transforming Ourselves, Empowering Our Children Shefali Tsabary Hodder & Stoughton (15 January 2015) Book |
The Tools. Book Summary 5 life-changing techniques to unlock your potential Phil Stutz and Barry Michels Vermilion; First U. S.
How Children Succeed. Book Summary. Grit, Curiosity, and the Hidden Power of Character Paul Tough Cornerstone Digital (25 Jan. 2013)
TED talks are the perfect source of inspiration for taking tiny steps toward becoming a better parent. If you are
The Happiness Project – Book Summary Or, Why I Spent a Year Trying to Sing in the Morning, Clean My
Free to Learn Why Unleashing the Instinct to Play Will Make Our Children Happier, More Self-Reliant, and Better Students for
After reading tons of parenting books and self-help literature, we concluded that they have one thing in common. They all
12 Rules For Life An antidote to chaos Jordan B. Peterson Penguin Books; 2019 Book | eBook| Audio About
Help Your Child Deal With Stress – and Thrive – Book Summary The transformative power of Self-Reg American version: Self-Reg:
Man’s Search For Meaning – Book summary The classic tribute to hope from the Holocaust Viktor E. Frankl Rider; 1st
About a month ago, our 6-year-old Max came back from school and kept bombarding us with endless questions about World
Kind words of affirmation and encouragement from parents have a profound impact on a child’s life in the long run.
Nonviolent Communication – Book Summary A Language of Life Marshall B. Rosenberg Puddle Dancer Press (US); 3rd ed. edition (1
The Millionaire Fastlane – Book Summary Crack the code to wealth and live rich for a lifetime MJ DeMarco Viperion
Calm Parents, Happy Kids The secrets of stress-free parenting American version: Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids: How to Stop Yelling and
When it comes to building successful relationships, expressing gratitude plays a major role. We all know that any successful relationship
Hello, 2022! Brand new 365 days! If you commit to reading a book for 15 minutes a day, you are
The Blue Zones – Book Summary 9 lessons for living longer from the people who’ve lived the longest Dan Buettner
There are plenty of things we can learn from our kids. One of them is how to become a better
Rich Dad, Poor Dad – Book Summary What the Rich Teach Their Kids About Money – That the Poor and
Finding great gifts for kids might be an exhausting activity. Especially when it’s so much choice and not that much
“Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t – you are right.” ~Henry Ford Have you ever noticed
The Optimistic Child. Book Summary. A Revolutionary Approach to Raising Resilient Children Martin Seligman Nicholas Brealey Publishing (19 April 2018)
Our thoughts affect our emotions, mood, and, ultimately, our actions. Therefore, if we learn how to manage our thoughts and
Beyond Behaviours. Book Summary Using Brain Science and Compassion to Understand and Solve Children’s Behavioural Challenges Mona Delahooke John Murray
How to think like Leonardo Da Vinci. Book Summary Seven steps to genius everyday Michael Gelb Element; New edition edition
The Future of Smart – book notes How Our Education System Needs to Change to Help All Young People Thrive
Handling tantrums and emotional outbursts is one of the biggest parenting challenges. It’s something that makes the whole parenting thing
The Thriving Child The science behind reducing stress and nurturing independence William Stixrud and Ned Johnson Penguin Life (14 Jun.
Tantrums inspire anxiety in all of us. They often drain us emotionally and leave us with the feeling that something
Steal like an artist. Book Summary 10 things nobody told you about being creative Austin Kleon Workman; 1st edition (1
Flourish A New Understanding of Happiness and Well-Being: The practical guide to using positive psychology to make you happier and
When children know how to play independently, it’s pure bliss for everyone. Parents finally get a momentary escape from their
Happier. Book Summary Learn the Secrets to Daily Joy and Lasting Fulfillment Tal Ben-Shahar McGraw-Hill Education; 1st edition (25 May
Emotional Intelligence Why it can matter more than IQ Daniel Goleman Bloomsbury Publishing PLC; New edition (12 Sept. 1996)
We love wisdom. We love discussing ideas. And we love inspirational quotes that spark reflection and remind us to take
Rethinking positive thinking. Book summary Inside the new science of motivation Gabriele Oettingen Current; Reprint edition (25 Nov. 2015) Book
The Compound Effect Jumpstart Your Income, Your Life, Your Success Darren Hardy Hachette Go; Anniversary edition (15 Sept. 2020) Book
While there is strong evidence that free play, especially outdoor activity, is widely beneficial for children’s development and well-being, the
Father Forgets by W. Livingston Learned is simply one of the most impressive and moving poems I’ve ever read. And
Peak – Book Summary How all of us can achieve extraordinary things Anders Ericsson & Robert Pool Vintage; 01 edition
My post-Soviet childhood lacked fancy educational toys, soft plays and sensory classes. But still, it was awesome. And you know
How to Raise an Adult Break Free of the Overparenting Trap and Prepare Your Kid for Success Julie Lythcott-Haims Bluebird;
Creative Schools – book summary Revolutionizing Education from the Ground Up Ken Robinson and Lou Aronica Penguine (3 Mar. 2016)
The Whole-Brain Child 12 proven strategies to nurture your child’s developing mind Dr Tina Payne Bryson and Dr Daniel Siegel
You, Your Child and School – book summary Navigate Your Way to the Best Education Ken Robinson and Lou Aronica
Atomic Habits – book summary An Easy and Proven Way to Build Good Habits and Break Bad Ones James Clear
Dawid’s grandma is the family’s matriarch and a great storyteller. Our boys call her “Duża Babcia”, which in Polish means
No! – Book summary The Art of Saying No! with a Clear Conscience Jesper Juul AuthorHouseUK (25 July 2012) Book
Positive psychologists say that having a life purpose is essential for our wellbeing. Actually, it is a secret ingredient of
Your Competent Child – Book Summary Toward a new paradigm in parenting and education Get the book Jesper Juul Balboa
How to Win Friends and Influence People – Book Summary Dale Carnegie Vermilion; New Ed edition (6 April 2006) Book
The Secrets of Happy Families Improve Your Mornings, Rethink Family Dinner, Fight Smarter, Go Out and Play and Much More
In our article “5 Scientifically Proven Reasons Why Family Dinners Are Important” we talked about how regular family meals have
The Path to Purpose – book summary How Young People Find Their Calling in Life William Damon Free Press; Reprint
What if we told you that most of the things which worry you as a parent could be improved by
The How Of Happiness: a practical guide to getting the life you want – book summary Sonja Lyubomirsky Piatkus (4
Grit The Power of Passion and Perseverance Angela Duckworth Publisher: Vermilion; 10 edition (4 May 2017) Book | eBook |
Happy parents raise happy kids. And happy kids are more likely to become successful in life. So it all starts
We all have our own view of what makes us feel happy. But it turns out there is a surprising
“Happiness is an expression of the soul in considered actions.” Aristotle If you ask people what do they want from
Mindset Changing the way you think to fulfil your potential (updated edition) Carol S. Dweck Robinson; 6 edition (12 Jan.
“Definitions belong to the definers, not the defined.” Toni Morrison “You guys are so messy!” – I said a few
Сколько из нас принимают то, что имеют, как само собой разумеющееся? Как часто мы фокусируемся на том, чего у нас
How many of us take whatever we have for granted? How often do we focus on lack and want more
Often we think that elite performers and experts are naturally gifted. They were born with “something a little extra”. And
Recent studies indicate that parents can increase the odds that their children will flourish in life simply by changing the
When it comes to success, there are more critical factors than IQ and talent. In fact, according to one of
That’s not rocket science that parents play a widely important role in their children’s lives. Of course, the environment (education,
If you can dream it, you can do it. Walt Disney We all love dreaming and making wishes. However, we
Have you ever seen this truly amazing Nike advert featuring Michael Jordan? He says: “I’ve missed more than 9000 shots
Once we get to school, we are continuously assessed. If you get good grades – well done, congrats, you are
The important thing is not to stop questioning. Never lose a holy curiosity. Albert Einstein Since our oldest son started
Research shows that happy and successful children grow up in families that set clear goals, provide feedback, and facilitate feeling
Money, power and fame are very common motivators for many people in our society. But there’s a type of personality
As parents we all want the best for our children. And we are genuinely committed to teaching them everything they
We all have beliefs about our abilities and potential. These beliefs are part of our mindset, which is so powerful
Confucius once said, Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.
Parenting experts say that if you want to raise great kids, you need to simultaneously hold high standards and offer
Have you ever found yourself completely engrossed in a task, so much so that you lost all sense of time?
Do you want your child to be a high achiever? Invest your time in cultivating grit (and don’t forget to
We’re all obsessed with discovering and cultivating talent, but we don’t talk enough about what actually turns talent into epic
The world has been on a rollercoaster ride of change over the past few decades. Globalization, digitalization, artificial intelligence, disruptive
It’s impossible to be 100% prepared for parenthood, but we all want our children to thrive in life. Before me
