The Polyvagal Parent

This trauma-informed parenting guide brings the science of nervous system safety into the everyday reality of raising children. George S. Thompson draws on his decades of experience as both a child psychiatrist and a parent to offer a compassionate, practical guide to helping children feel safe enough to connect, learn and grow.

With warmth and humility, Thompson shows parents and caregivers how to listen beneath behaviour, recognise nervous system states, build trust through attunement and repair, and support children’s resilience without shame or control. Filled with relatable stories, clear explanations and accessible practices, this book reframes difficult moments, not as failures of character, but as invitations to understand what is happening beneath the surface. The Polyvagal Parent is an essential resource for cultivating connection, courage and lasting emotional safety at home.