Prizeworthy: How to Meaningfully Connect, Build Character, and Unlock the Potential of Every Child

“If there were only one skill you could learn as a parent, let it be prizing. It’s the basis of all the others. Your kids will be forever grateful, and so will you.”

“A powerful, practical guide for parents and professionals alike to cultivate true attunement, regulation, and connection.”

“Our world has gotten us caught up in the praise paradigm, which distracts us from the greater reward that comes with kindness, compassion, and connection. Mitch Abblett has helped us get back on course, not only to unlock our children’s potential, but in the process, to help us heal and grow ourselves.”

“In his excellent new book Prizeworthy , Mitch Abblett takes central, time-tested themes woven through contemplative practice and transforms them into relatable, targeted methods to support children's feelings of connection, resilience, and belonging. Perhaps the biggest surprise in the book, though, will be that prizing children builds parents’ and teachers' feelings of connection, resilience, and belonging, too.”

“In the Zulu tradition a person meeting another will first say ‘Sawbanu’ which means ‘I see you.’ The person being greeted responds, ‘Ngikhona,’ meaning ‘I am here.’ This book beautifully shows how to fulfill this deep and essential wish for every child . . . to be seen by the people who are truly present in their lives, and to connect to the core of their own being as they grow and develop. What Mitch has created here is nothing less than an embodiment of the spirit of Sawbanu.”

“Children need loving support more than ever as they navigate the challenges of the twenty-first century. In Prizeworthy , Mitch Abblett offers powerful tools for supporting kids with genuine presence. I highly recommend this book for parents, teachers, therapists, coaches, and anyone else with a passion for bringing out the best in young people—by inviting the best from themselves.”

“In the midst of uncertain and challenging times, how can we reassure ourselves we're doing all we can to raise resilient, happy children? In Prizeworthy , Dr. Mitch Abblett offers a straightforward path that any parent can follow, providing understandable tools for staying present, emotionally supportive, and engaged so our children will be independent, resilient, and able to thrive.”

“Mitch Abblett shares his experience, wisdom, and practical application to help us raise our kids to be the kind of humans that will ensure a better world.”

“This practical guide offers relatable insight and mindfulness practices to move toward a ‘mutually beneficial way of relating to children and teens’ and to honor emotional pain and potential in children. . . . We’re treated to real stories from Abblett’s practice as a clinical psychologist and from his experience as a father. Each glimpse into moments of joy or struggle serves as a reminder that parenting is difficult—and the odd F-bomb might just slip when it comes time to put a toddler in a winter coat.”