Who is this book for?
- This book would likely appeal to adults who have struggled with difficult relationships with their parents and are seeking validation and understanding of their experiences.
- It may be particularly helpful for those who identify as "internalizers" – people who tend to be introspective, sensitive, and prone to taking responsibility for relationship issues.
- Readers interested in psychology and self-help, especially those looking to improve their relationships and emotional well-being, may find value in the book's insights and strategies.
- Those who enjoy gaining new perspectives on family dynamics and personal growth may also appreciate this book.
Who is unlikely to appreciate this book?
- This book may not be suitable for individuals with complex trauma or PTSD related to their childhood, as it could be triggering or retraumatizing.
- Those who are neurodivergent, particularly individuals with autism or ADHD, may find the book's characterization of certain behaviors as "emotionally immature" to be invalidating or offensive.
- Readers who prefer more scientifically rigorous or empirically-based psychological literature may be frustrated by the lack of extensive research citations.
- Additionally, those who have a more nuanced view of family dynamics or who are wary of oversimplified categorizations of personality types may find the book's approach too reductive or biased.
Things online reviewers enjoyed about this book
- Validates experiences of those with emotionally immature parents
- Provides helpful definitions and categories of emotionally immature parents
- Offers strategies for dealing with emotionally immature parents as an adult
- Explains how childhood experiences shape adult relationships and behaviors
- Helps readers understand their own emotional responses and coping mechanisms
- Provides a framework for recognizing emotionally mature vs. immature behaviors
- Offers insights on developing healthier relationships as an adult
- Empowers readers to prioritize their own emotional needs
- Provides language to describe experiences with emotionally immature parents
- Helps readers feel less alone in their experiences
Things people didn't like as much about this book
- Overly simplistic categorization of people as "internalizers" or "externalizers"
- Shows bias against "externalizers" and those with low empathy
- Lacks sufficient scientific citations and research to back up claims
- May encourage overly judgmental attitudes towards parents
- Does not adequately address how to overcome one's own emotionally immature behaviors
- Can be triggering or retraumatizing for some readers
- Pathologizes some behaviors that may be related to neurodivergence
- Lacks nuance in addressing complex family dynamics
- Relies heavily on anecdotes rather than empirical data
- May encourage readers to over-attribute adult issues to childhood experiences
