Book of the Month March 2022 - Therapeutic Parenting Jumbo Cards

Therapeutic Parenting Jumbo Cards by Sarah Neish & Sarah Dillon
Initially I wondered about the use of cards for adults but the Therapeutic Parenting Jumbo cards are fabulous.  They are designed for parents or carers who are using therapeutic parenting techniques and for professionals who are introducing others to this style of parenting. 



​These cards compliment the book ‘A quick guide to therapeutic parenting’ by Sarah Neish but can be used independently.  I would say, however, that a knowledge of therapeutic parenting would be beneficial as the cards act as useful reminders of concepts, principles and parenting techniques, but do not provide in-depth explanations or theory.

The 56 cards come in a sturdy box and are a lovely quality.  They cover a wide range of issues and topics and each card features a statement or quote from Sarah Neish’s book.  They have a cartoon picture on one side with a statement or quote relating to an element of therapeutic parenting, then on the flip side there is a more detailed but concise explanation. 

Each card is numbered and belongs one of 9 categories which are outlined in the useful booklet which comes with the cards.  Another useful and thoughtful addition is that each category is also given a separate colour, so can be easily found in the pack if you are looking for cards pertaining to a specific topic.

I like the fact that difficult issues are tackled such as why others, including family and professionals, can often sit in judgement (Category 3 ‘Ignorance Is Not Bliss: The Unhelpful Others’) or that progress is sometimes hard to see and measure (Category 6 ‘Where Did That Come From?! Progress Isn’t Always Linear).   Encouraging parenting tips are provided within each category and often come at the end of each concise explanation.

The cards are a useful tool for those times when the going is tough.  It is during times of stress when something easy to access is needed to help us to hold onto what we have learnt and why therapeutic parenting really works. You could choose some cards pertinent to what you and your child are experiencing and have them close to hand to give you encouragement.  They may also be useful to help others understand certain behaviours or difficulties a child might be experiencing. There are many different ways these cards could be used and there are suggestions in the booklet. One thing Sarah Neish points out is that these cards are for adults and I would agree with her that you may not want your child to read them as it could induce negative feelings such as shame.

Although the cards are designed for use within the field of developmental trauma they could be used for any parents who want to adopt a therapeutic approach and could be useful for children with developmental disorders such as Autism Spectrum Disorder and Attention Deficit Disorder where therapeutic parenting can really help.

I know that I will be using these cards in my work with parents and carers to help them think about some of the more difficult concepts and would recommend them for anyone working with or caring for children who have experienced developmental trauma. 
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Lesley Bell
Therapeutic Social Worker

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