"This is THE parenting book. This is the one to read over and over. So much wisdom and empathy, all based in real science. My children owe Christine Carter big time."
–Kelly Corrigan, author of The Middle Place and LIFT

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Find books mentioned in this blog! Here is a list of books about raising your child’s emotional intelligence, teaching gratitude and optimism, and many more.

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This blog is about science-based parenting advice. I'm a sociologist and the executive director of UC Berkeley's Greater Good Science Center, and since I'm reading all the research related to raising happy children anyway, I thought we might as well make it USEABLE to parents. We hope this is a valuable counterpoint to some of the more opinion-based parenting advice platforms that are out there, especially because sorting out fact from fiction can be confusing when it comes to parenting.

That said, this blog is also about me and my children. It represents the intersection of my brain and my heart: my intellectual training in the social sciences and my very real, sometimes raw, experiences as a mother.

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• Mondays starting on
  Feb. 23, 2009
  Raising Happiness Parenting Class,
  Oakland, CA
  First Unitarian Church of Oakland, Starr King Room
  » How to enroll
  
  

Recent Speaking Engagements

• May 5, 2009
  Mindful Motherhood Open House
  3:30-6 pm at Marin Montessori School, Corte Madera, CA
  
  
• Mar. 31, 2009
  The Joy of Parenthood —
  a Workshop for Expectant & New Parents
  12:10-1:30 pm at the Tang Education Center, UC Berkeley
  
  
• Mar. 26, 2009
  Teaching Happiness: Translating the Science to Smiles — Making Healthful Decisions Conference
  West Point, NY
  8:00 am-3:30 pm at the Thayer Hotel
  
  
• Feb. 20, 2009
  Learning & the Brain Conference,
  San Francisco, CA
  3:15-4:15 pm at the Fairmont Hotel
  
  
• Feb. 4, 2009
  Crocker Highlands Elementary School,
  Oakland, CA
  7:00-8:30 pm in the Multipurpose Room
  
  
• Jan. 10, 2009
  Exploratorium,
  San Francisco, CA
  2 pm in the McBean Theater
  
  » Listen now
  
  
• Dec. 8, 2008
  Hawken School,
  Cleveland, Ohio
  6:30 p.m. in the A/C Lobby on the Gates Mills Campus
  
  

Appearances on ABC's "View From the Bay."

• Letting go of being perfect: tips for avoiding the pitfalls of perfectionism.
• How to fight: tips on resolving conflict with your partner in a way that won't damage your kids.
• Change your kids' attitude with gratitude: tips for helping your children become more grateful.
• The importance of family mealtimes: the science on the importance of having meals together.

• Half Full Kids Christine speaks about optimism and how it affects our lives on the Vicky and Jen show.
  
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• Is Happiness A Skill? Christine speaks with Childhood Matters' Rona Renner.
  
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• Perfectionism and How to Avoid It, Part I: Part one of Christine's conversation with Beth Pickett on Countdown to College Radio Show.
  
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• Perfectionism and How to Avoid It, Part II: Part two of Christine's conversation with Beth Pickett.
  
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• The Importance of Family Mealtimes: Christine speaks with Beth Pickett about the scientific research on family mealtimes.
  
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• Hope Out of the Box: Christine speaks about the power of hope on Youth Radio.
  
  » Listen now

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