Parent Like It Matters

How to Raise Joyful, Change-Making Girls

By: Janice Johnson Dias, Jacqueline Woodson - foreword

Narrated by: Janice Johnson Dias, Jacqueline Woodson

Length: 8 hrs and 37 mins

Publisher's summary

An accessible blueprint to embolden our daughters to be critical thinkers, fearless doers, and joyful change agents for our future - from the proud mother of teen activist Marley Dias, founder of 1000BLACKGIRLBOOKS.

“A stunning and pathbreaking how-to guide and memoir for every mom, dad, or caregiver who believes in rearing children to be healthy individuals and caring citizens.” (Khalil Gibran Muhammad, author of The Condemnation of Blackness)

Renowned sociologist Janice Johnson Dias has devoted her life to nurturing and training girls to become changemakers - whether through her investment in her daughter Marley’s humanitarian projects or through her work with the GrassROOTS Community Foundation “SuperCamp” she cofounded for girls. In these unprecedented times, her work has never been more urgent, as parents find themselves asking: How do we teach girls to change the world?

Dr. Johnson Dias knows that self-realized girls are created through intentional parenting. And so she asks parents to make deliberate choices - from babyhood through adolescence - that will give their girls the resources and foundation to take hold of their own futures and to create sustainable social change.

Unlike other parenting experts, Dr. Johnson Dias doesn’t urge parents to focus solely on their children. Instead, she tasks them with a personal challenge: to find their own joy. Just as Dr. Johnson Dias brings her own jubilant passion to parenting, mentoring, and teaching, she inspires caregivers to do the same.

Using cutting-edge research and Dr. Johnson Dias’ own experiences, the book offers information and strategies for making discussions of racism and sexism a daily practice, identifying heroes and mentors, educating yourselves together, and uncovering your girl’s passions and what issues drive her the most.

Parenting is enormous work; it can be as overwhelming as it is fulfilling. Within Parent Like It Matters, parents will find the invaluable tools they need to raise resilient, optimistic girls who determine for themselves what their world will look like.

This audiobook includes a bonus PDF of appendices and a list of resources from the book.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2021 Janice Johnson Dias (P)2021 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“I keep a copy of the book by my bedside as a reference and as a reminder that I am working to build a reciprocal relationship with my own daughter and to ensure she goes into the world as a confident, knowing woman.” (The Washington Post)

“In Parent Like It Matters, Dr. Janice Johnson Dias offers an impressive and bold roadmap for those who seek to engage passion and joy as essential elements of developing girls who thrive. Her honest and rigorous offering is a gift to parents, educators, and all adults in search of tools to cultivate the brilliance of our girls.” (Monique W. Morris, EdD, author of Pushout and executive director of Grantmakers for Girls of Color )

“Parent Like It Matters is a stunning and pathbreaking how-to guide and memoir for every mom, dad or caregiver who believes in rearing children to be healthy individuals and caring citizens. Combining her talents as a leading sociologist, the wisdom of her grandmother, and the experience of raising talented change-agents in her community, Dr. Johnson Dias makes clear in this beautifully written book that there may be no more important responsibility.” (Khalil Gibran Muhammad, author of The Condemnation of Blackness)

A Must Read for Parents

I have not only become a better parent, but this book helps you to become better in all relationships.

Inspirational and Relevant Information

Dr. Johnson Dias has presented research, anecdotal and powerful information for all parents. As a mom, I found her book refreshing and a must read for anyone who has children. Thanks for telling your story and offering heartfelt advice and instructions to raise joyful girls.

Wonderful Learning Experience

This book and conversation with Janice Johnson Dias is so important. I decided to listen to the audio version and I’m so thankful I did. Dr. Dias’ voice and teachings are resonating with me and challenging me in so many positive ways. She challenges parents to think about ourselves in order to create joyful change makers. But the work starts with us! This is definitely applicable to parents of boys and girls. A wonderful gift to all caregivers!

beautiful

It has alot of information that parents need to hear and share. Girls need to be heard

Amazing resource

I’m so grateful for this resource. Although the title may lead you to believe this is a book only for parents of girls, it’s really a manual for any adult that is looking to cultivate a safe space for girls to grow and thrive. Dr. Janice Johnson Dias has put it all together here—what to do, exercises to complete to get it done, and she’s woven it all together like a storyteller—it’s got your facts and research, but it’s a fun and moving read. Can’t recommend it more highly.

You and your daughter matter!

I love, love, love this book! Part memoir, part science lesson, part guidebook. Wonderful #InvestInGirls

The book I wish someone had when I was growing up

This book is fantastic. I laughed, teared up, got angry (give that baby a birthday party)....I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The camp described is what I needed when I was a girl. The messages are relevant for me even though I am far past being a girl. Also....I loved listening to Janice read and I may or may not be speaking with an accent now....