How to Talk to Kids about Anything - by Robyn Silverman (Paperback)

About the Book

"What do you do when your child comes to you with a question about anxiety, death, divorce, beauty, or race? Poised to become the quintessential conversation resource for parents, How to Talk to Kids About Anything provides powerful words, actionable steps, inspiring real-life stories, and pivotal advice to tackle these difficult conversations with kids. Dr. Robyn Silverman of the How to Talk to Kids About Anything parenting podcast provides an easy outline for parenting on a wide variety of topics, giving busy parents the words they need to answer kids' most challenging questions and set a precedent for healthy communication"--

Book Synopsis

THE NATIONAL BESTSELLER

No more freezing, fumbling, or dodging. This is the parenting communication manual you'll reach for again and again.

What do you say when your child asks, "What happens when people die?" or "How does the baby get in there?" You want to be honest. You want to be accurate. And above all, you want your child to feel safe coming to you with anything.

How to Talk to Kids About Anything is the national bestseller that arms you with the words, tools, and emotional readiness to tackle life's hardest parenting conversations--without panic.

Created by Dr. Robyn Silverman, child development expert, mom, and host of the top-rated How to Talk to Kids About Anything podcast, this book is more than advice--it's a lifeline. With real-world scripts, empathy-first techniques, and decades of research distilled into actionable language, you'll finally feel prepared for the moments you used to dread.

What's inside:

• Scripts and strategies for talking about death, sex, race, mental health, identity, divorce, friendship, money, and more
• Emotion-regulation tips for parents--so you can respond, not react
• Expert-backed insights and stories from Dr. Robyn's decades of experience and acclaimed podcast guests
• Easy-to-use conversation starters and follow-ups tailored by age and situation
• Tools that grow with your child, helping you guide them from early curiosity to teen-level depth

Whether you're handling their first question about race or prepping for the puberty talk, this trusted guide gives you the language--and courage--to answer with heart and honesty. For fans of The Whole-Brain Child, Untangled, and The Gift of Failure, this is the parenting book you'll pass along to everyone you know--and come back to, conversation after conversation.

Review Quotes

"A must-have, all-encompassing resource. For parents looking for support and answers." -- Library Journal STARRED Review

"How to Talk to Kids about Anything is a treasure trove of advice, encouragement and comforting phrases that helps parents know what to say when their kids need them the most. Dr. Robyn's suggestions reflect her compassion, firsthand experiences, and mastery of the child psychology/development research to produce a handbook that will help guide parents and make the most difficult conversations easier to have. " -- Mona Delahooke, author of Brain-Body Parenting and Beyond Behaviors

"Dr. Robyn has created a step-by-step manual with real-life examples of what to say to children on any subject. Her scripts are actionable and essential. A sorely needed resource for parents" -- Jessica Lahey, bestselling author of The Gift of Failure

"Dr. Robyn Silverman distills decades of research and experience and hundreds of expert interviews into a warm, wise, clear, and comprehensive guide that really does explain How to Talk to Kids About Anything. Reading this book feels like having an enjoyable conversation with a deeply knowledgeable friend. It's a gift to parents everywhere." -- Lisa Damour, PhD, author of Untangled, Under Pressure, and The Emotional Lives of Teenagers

"In How to Talk to Kids about Anything, Dr. Robyn has gifted parents with the ultimate "cheat sheet" so we can confidently engage in even the trickiest of conversations with our kids in a way that builds self-respect, agency, and connection." -- Debbie Reber, founder & CEO of Tilt Parenting, author of Differently Wired

"How to Talk to Kids About Anything is the definitive guide to having tough, critical conversations with children. Author Robyn Silverman's magic is her ability to simplify the most complex topics, including sex, body image, money, and divorce. Along the way, she offers parents all the scripts, tips, research, and tools they need to keep the lines of communication open and confidently answer their kids' most challenging questions. I can't overstate how much I love this book--it's a reassuring must-read for anyone who seeks to raise an emotionally healthy human being!" -- Phyllis L. Fagell, LCPC, author of Middle School Matters and Middle School Superpowers

"Dr. Robyn's How to Talk to Kids About Anything joins the handful of evergreen parenting books that every parent should have at the ready and on their shelf--one that will be repeatedly referenced, dog-eared, and reused throughout the stages of childhood." -- Tina Payne Bryson, LCSW, PhD, New York Times bestselling co-author of The Whole-Brain Child and No-Drama Discipline, and author of The Bottom Line for Baby

"Get ready to dog-ear lots of pages in How to Talk to Kids About Anything, a thoughtful and practical book that covers all bases for parents in need of talking points when kids have big emotions, ask tricky questions or make uncomfortable comments." -- Nefertiti Austin, Amazon bestselling author of Motherhood So White: A Memoir of Race, Gender, and Parenting in America

"If you've ever chickened out of having a conversation with your kids about a topic like friends, money, sex, or divorce, this is the book for you. Dr. Silverman presents solid information on these and other touchy subjects, and then--through intriguing sections like Talking Points, Truth Bombs, and Scripts in a Pinch--she holds your hand as you imagine and prepare for the discussion with your child. A real parental anxiety reducer!" -- Thomas W. Phelan, PhD, bestselling author of 1-2-3 Magic

"It's hard to overstate how good this book is. If you've found yourself stuck or stammering in responding in the moment to those oh-so-important questions children seem to lob at you when your defenses are down... This. Is. The. Book. Imagine if Jiminy Cricket, Mr. Rogers, and ChatGPT got together to craft the truest words for the trickiest situations, all in one book. Yeah, How to Talk is that and more." -- Ned Johnson, co-author of The Self-Driven Child and What Do You Say? How To Talk with Kids to Build Motivation, Stress Tolerance, and a Happy Home

"Robyn Silverman is a treasure, and this book is a great gift to parents and to professionals who talk with kids about hard things. Dr. Silverman combines her own experience as a development psychologist, as a mother, and even as a child with important research, and with the wisdom of the hundreds of professionals she has spoken to over the years about talking with kids. How to Talk is filled with language that will help adults communicate with children in ways that make them feel understood, loved, and safe. If you'll ever need to talk with kids about sex, death, hard feelings, gender issues, or other difficult topics, this book is for you. You'll keep coming back to it again and again as children bring you new challenges to discuss" -- William Stixrud, Ph.D., co-author of The Self-Driven Child and What Do You Say? How to Talk with Kids to Build Motivation, Stress Tolerance, and a Happy Home

"Robyn Silverman shares insights from a broad range of experts to help parents meet the many challenges of raising children." -- Joanna Faber and Julie King, co-authors of How to Talk So LITTLE Kids Will Listen and How to Talk When Kids Won't Listen

"Robyn Silverman's steady, encouraging, and compassionate voice is just what parents and caregivers need. In How to Talk to Kids About Anything she provides both contextual science and a treasure chest of accessible conversational strategies, tips, and scripts for everyday topics such as friendship and money to tougher topics such as sex, death, and diversity. Readers can dip in to find a solution for their pain point du jour and come away with a feeling of agency and direction for their next conversation." -- Christine Koh, PhD, co-author of Minimalist Parenting and host of the Edit Your Life podcast

"Talking to our kids about tough topics is one of the hardest--and most important--parts of parenting. In her wise, thoughtful, and accessible book, Dr. Robyn Silverman walks readers through some of the most challenging conversations and offers the insights, strategies, and scripts we need to connect with our kids about everything from friendship and mistakes to divorce and death. I highly recommend this book to any parent looking for the right words at the right time--which is to say, all of us." -- Carla Naumburg, PhD, author of How to Stop Losing Your Sh*t with Your Kids

"As they grow into adults, children will have questions on virtually every topic--sex, love, death, divorce. Dr. Robyn guides parents through the turbulent waters of conversation during the delicate, impressionable years of childhood. A must-read!" -- Rosalind Wiseman, bestselling author of Queen Bees & WannaBes

"In today's Internet-soaked culture, it has become not only important but imperative to be our children's first source of information. In How to Talk to Kids About Anything, Dr. Robyn shows us how." -- Michele Borba, bestselling author of Thrivers and Unselfie