Escalante introduces the important concept of the "ShouldStorm" and talks of the delicate balance needed between helicopter parenting and a completely hands-off approach. This is a helpful breakdown of all the difficulties parents face today.

Excellent parenting guide. Sigh. See. Start. is something I wish I had read when my kids were little. It’s good advice for centering, de-escalating, thoughtful/mindful parenting,
And the discussion of ShouldStorm really hit home. Definitely a useful addition to any parenting book shelf. Worth the read.

While I wouldn't say this is a comprehensive guide by any means (there probably never will be one for parenting,) I think this was a great reminder to be a mindful parent. The sigh-see-start approach is a great way for parents to be less reactive to their children and more proactive FOR their children.

I would highly recommend this book to other overwhelmed parents who want the best for their kids but want to ensure that they are not pushy or aggressive about it.

This an excellent parenting book that I would recommend to any parent.

Author and pediatrician Alison Escalante presents a very simple concept: when interacting with your children, follow the three-step Sigh, See, Start protocol to engage your children in a healthy way and avoid what she calls “the ShouldStorm.”

Now, when reading self-help books with very simple premises like this one, I’m always asking myself, “Could this have been a pamphlet?” As in, is the author simply providing a helpful but basic suggestion with a lot of fluffy anecdotes and stories for application? In this case, thankfully, the answer is no. Escalante presents the Sigh, See, Start framework, explains the science behind it, and then applies the framework to different aspects of parenting. She includes everything from scientific theories, including internal family systems and polyvagal theory, to parental leadership and play. Her chapters are filled with deep psychological theories simplified for the average parent, stories from both her own experience and from parents she worked with as a pediatrician, and practical application and resources.

Since reading this book, I’ve used Sigh, See, Start in a number of parenting situations and I find it very helpful. I hope many more parents read this book and find it beneficial as well.

Thank you to Chronicle Books, Princeton Architectural Press and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is sort of intuitive as a solution—I feel silly for not thinking of my own Sigh, See, Start earlier in my parenting journey—but I really identified with the present-day ShouldStorm risks and look forward to trying some of Dr. Escalante’s proposed techniques.

Thank you so much Alison Escalante, NetGalley, Chronicle Books, and Princeton Architectural Press for the opportunity to read this book early in exchange for an honest review.

Initial Thoughts: I have high hopes and raised confidence for this method. I am putting this method to work and will post full review closer to publication date.

Book Layout:

1) ShouldStorm: Information on how parenting became so conflicting and why it doesn't need to be. Impact of the ShouldStorm on our kids.

2) Sigh, See, Start Method: What it is and what it isn't and the science behind the method.

3) Sigh, See, Start Mindset: Builds on the above two sections. It sells the method, but it also provides a confidence boost and a few ways we can continue to build confidence and relationships.


Sigh, See, Start stands out from other parenting books for a few reasons:

1) Sigh, See, Start keeps it simple. Most parenting books have tips, tricks, and tools that parents can add to their toolbox, but... these are usually presented as a collection. This means that there are so many new tips, tricks, and tools in my mind that I can't actually recall them with enough clarity and confidence to use them when I need to. The moment slips by or becomes even more chaotic as I try to recall the best way to handle the situation. This is a contrast to the tool in Sigh, See, Start , which is exactly that – sigh (to reset your body), see (your child), start (thinking about what action to take).

2) With Sigh, See, Start, the answer to problems does not rely on remembering what a parent should do, but having confidence to do what a parent feels is right for situation and the child(ren) involved. It's not saying that a parent knows all the answers, but it acknowledges that parents often know what feels right for any given situation with any give child. Further, it states that one of the significant barrier we have with parenting lies with choosing to ignore what we feel is right in favor of what the book calls a ShouldStorm.

3) Oh my god, the ShouldStorm. A significant part of the book covers the ShouldStorm, which is essentially a collection of all those things we think we should do and/or have specifically been told that we should do. The ShouldStorm influences our actions because, well, that's what we should do. I did not expect this book to call me out in this way because I 100% live by the ShouldStorm. It is so bad that I often find myself googling "what is an appropriate response for [insert any situation here]" and will go through periods of delayed communication with friends and family because I'm so tired of trying to figure out how a normal person would respond to any given conversation. That's madness, and this book helped me realize that constantly trying to determine how I should act is completely killing my confidence and trust in myself. It sounds dumb, but it's real, and I now know that I'm not the only one stuck like this.

4) The impact of Sigh, See, Start on my family is instant. I know that children often act out because they want attention, but books give such conflicting advice on how to handle it. We're supposed to ignore it, give in, comment on it, distract them, stand our ground, make it a game, etc., but with Sigh, See, Start, you're supposed to calm/reset yourself, focus on your child(ren) as they are (without the assumptions we carry about situations/our child(ren)), and then parent as you see fit (and/or trial and error until you become more in tun with your child(ren). It works because it puts you in a mindset to be present, shows your child(ren) you're actually present with them, and guess what? Being present goes a long way. This isn't new – we know the importance of being present in our relationships and conversation and we know how it feels when that connection isn't complete – but it often feels harder with kids. With Sigh, See, Start, I see that it doesn't have to be.


In Practice: I've been using Sigh, See Start for about two weeks. Things I have noticed so far:

- My confidence has grown significantly. It's a relief to focus on what I believe I should do instead of trying to remember what others have told me I should do.

- I have a good luck with one child, but am still trial and erroring with the other.

- I struggle to implement this when issues arise involving more than one child. When they're fighting because they want the exact opposite of each other, I don't know how to make them both feel seen/heard and I don't always see a path forward that supports both of their needs. Also, I have a much harder time regulating myself when they start pecking at each other.

This is an excellent guide to modern day parenting. It is just so hard to get it right but there is so much pressure to be perfect.

I will be implementing this technique!

This book provides a great framework to start unlearning the behaviors from past parenting experiences, especially for the younger generations whose parents were taught to imply tactics that lead to the shouldstorm, the corporal punishment, and attachment/helicopter parenting. I appreciate it that it helps to alleviate some of the additional stress that a same sex couple may experience if they child is not able to breastfeed, etc.

This is accessible for parents, and goes into detail but also provides quick guidelines at the end of every chapter which can be used to refresh if someone forgets something.

I look forward to the official release so I can share with some of the clients parents that I work with.

"Sigh, See, Start" is a good reference book for parenting mindfully. Rather than focusing on all you should be doing as a parent, Escalante suggests a 3-step approach: Sigh, See, and Start. I am looking forward to trying this as a care-giver and like the philosophy of centering yourself instead of merely reacting. Recommended! Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

This book was a wonderful tool to help parents help their children be the best versions of themselves. I think it is very difficult to be a child these days. The normal pressures of society and peers can leave these children puzzled and wondering "why". The author did a great job breaking down the issues at hand and how we as parents can help our children succeed at life and other things!

Thank you NetGalley for my ARC of this book!

I absolutely love this parenting book. It gets to the point, but also goes deep into explanation. I can't wait to get a hard copy.

Really loved this book a lot and its given me some good ideas on what else I need to teach my children about the world around us and all the changes that's happening the good and the bad and how they can protect themselves from it all. I highly recommend this to everyone cause the world is pushing our children a lot and its not a very good thing at all.

Discover a groundbreaking solution to the overwhelming pressure of perfectionistic parenting in "Sigh, See, Start" by Dr. Alison Escalante. With over twenty years of pediatric expertise, Dr. Escalante unveils a revolutionary three-step technique designed to liberate parents from the suffocating grip of the "ShouldStorm." Drawing from real-life stories and science-backed insights, she empowers caregivers to find confidence and connection amidst the chaos.

In this essential guide, Dr. Escalante introduces the transformative power of her method:

SIGH: Embrace a moment of respite when the parenting weight feels unbearable. Inhale a sigh of relief, reaching deep into your core. This simple act allows you to disengage from internal judgments and center your perspective.

SEE: Delve into the world of your child. Recognize their emotions—joy, tears, or anger—through attentive observation. By acknowledging their needs, you lay the foundation for meaningful connection.

START: Armed with clarity, respond purposefully. Listen with intent and craft an appropriate reaction, whether it's a comforting embrace, granting space, or another suitable gesture.

Diverging from conventional parenting approaches, "Sigh, See, Start" is a practical handbook that equips parents with the tools to transcend societal pressures and embrace mindful, joyous parenting. Dr. Escalante's insights, coupled with relatable anecdotes and proven strategies, serve as a lifeline for those seeking an escape from the cycle of self-doubt. Akin to the success of "Good Inside," this book emerges as an indispensable resource for nurturing resilient parent-child relationships in an age of escalating expectations.