Big Reactors is a lifeline for any parent raising deeply feeling kids. Claire Lerner is a master and her book is full of empathy and wise insights. She replaces guilt and confusion with understanding and concrete strategies that truly work."
-Melinda Wenner Moyer is a science journalist and author of “How Not To Raise KIds Who Aren’t Assholes”
Claire Lerner speaks with genuine empathy and immense experience to parents who are feeling distraught and confused by typical parenting advice that is failing them—that doesn't reflect the reality of life with these fierce kids. She fills a critical gap by offering insights and tools developed from her decades of experience working with families of big reactors that enable their sensitive, "orchid" kids, and thus their families, to thrive.
-Aliza Pressman, New York Times bestselling author of The Five Principles of Parenting and host of Raising Good Humans Podcast
As a parent to a big reactor, I devoured this book. Lerner translates her decades working with families of highly sensitive children into relatable narratives, weaving in just enough research to establish her expertise with these kids without straying from her common sense, practical approach. She’s cracked the art of teaching caregivers how to set compassionate limits with children who have intense reactions to not being in control. With Lerner’s guidance, parents can help these kids learn the elusive skills of resilience, frustration tolerance, and flexibility. Parents to big reactors—often left out of advice books—will feel more seen and empowered than ever!
- Shelly Miller, founder of The Teacher Momma
Big Reactors is a compassionate, wise, and clinically grounded guide for anyone raising a highly sensitive child. With deep insight and decades of experience, Claire Lerner helps parents understand the “why” behind their child’s big feelings—and what to do about them. Her practical, real-world strategies empower families to move from confusion and self-doubt to confidence and connection. This is a must-read for any parent seeking to better support their deeply feeling child.
— Helen Egger, MD, Child Psychiatrist and Co-Founder of Little Otter
Claire Lerner’s book, Big Reactors, gets it right for parents of highly sensitive children by offering clear, practical advice and explanations to help them understand how best to meet their child’s needs. A broad range of anecdotes will ensure that almost all parents facing these situations will find themselves reflected — and heard — in this valuable book.”
— Dipesh Navsaria, MPH, MSLIS, MD, professor of Pediatrics and Human Development & Family Studies, University of Wisconsin–Madison
This is a phenomenal book and will be incredibly helpful to parents who are challenged by children who are highly sensitive. I walked away with a much deeper understanding of what is behind some of the behaviors that I found most bewildering and frustrating as a parent.
What sets this book apart from so many others is the author's depth of knowledge on the topic along with her experience working in the trenches with families. The case studies are especially illuminating and offer practical examples of how to apply the strategies, so you get to see what happened when real parents attempted to implement the ideas, and how they were able to adapt them to fit their child and their circumstances.
This is NOT an academic treatment. It is a real world guide. It doesn't offer a one-size-fits-all approach to parenting highly sensitive children. Instead, it is a road map and a practical guide that parents can use to identify the root causes of their child's behaviors. When you understand that your child is not trying to manipulate you or trick you, your approach becomes more empathetic and measured. You walk away with a treasure trove of great ideas for how you can respond in a more loving, calm, and productive way.
—Lesli Rotenberg, Past Senior VP of PBS Children’s Programming
Big Reactors meets parents where they are by offering compassion, validation, and practical support for raising highly sensitive children. Claire Lerner’s insightful book acknowledges the self-doubt many parents feel, reassuring them that while supporting children with big emotions and unique needs is undeniably challenging, it is absolutely possible. Through a responsive, nurturing lens, Big Reactors empowers parents and caregivers with actionable strategies rooted in empathy and connection. The book’s approach mirrors the very mindset it encourages—one that is responsive, patient, and attuned to the temperament of “orchid children” who require an individualized approach to thrive.”
—Katrina Macasaet, senior professional development manager, ZERO TO THREE