Parenting a Child With a Disability: Illness vs. Identity

A sketch of a mother and a child wearing glasses illustrates parenting a child with a disability

What does it mean to value a life beyond its capabilities or perceived “normalcy”? How can parents navigate both accepting their child’s identity while seeking appropriate support for their disability? In Far From the Tree, Andrew Solomon explores the complex intersection between illness and identity when parenting a child with a disability. He presents a nuanced view that balances the medical model of disability with the social model that recognizes disability as both a natural variation and a socially constructed experience. Keep reading to discover how parents can embrace their child’s unique identity while advocating for a more inclusive world.

Horizontal Identities: What Sets Us Apart (Andrew Solomon)

A young man in a wheelchair in a park illustrates horizontal identities

How do certain traits become meaningful parts of our identity? Why do some differences from our parents shape how we see ourselves while others don’t? Andrew Solomon explores the distinction between traits we get from our parents (vertical identities) and those that set us apart from them (horizontal identities). This framework helps us understand how families navigate unexpected differences and how people develop a sense of self when they differ significantly from their parents. Keep reading to discover how horizontal identities affect both parents and children and how families can embrace differences rather than trying to “fix” them.

My Child Is Different: How to Parent Exceptional Children

A mother and a teenager (who's wearing a T-shirt with a pride flag on it) illustrates parenting exceptional children

What’s it like to raise a child with a completely different identity from your own? How can parents navigate the complex emotions and practical challenges that come with raising exceptional children? In Far From the Tree, psychologist Andrew Solomon examines “horizontal identities”—traits that exceptional children have that their parents don’t share or expect. He explores how parents face the dual challenges of understanding unfamiliar differences and overcoming the desire for their children to fit conventional definitions of “normal.” If you’ve ever said, “My child is different,” continue reading to find strategies for parenting exceptional children and to see how this

Frames of Mind by Howard Gardner: Book Overview

A drawing of a woman sitting cross-legged and reading a red book

Do you wonder what your unique intelligence profile might look like? Have you ever felt smart in ways that traditional IQ tests don’t measure? In his book Frames of Mind, Howard Gardner proposes that humans possess seven distinct types of intelligence rather than a single general capacity for learning. Gardner’s theory challenges the traditional view of intelligence, suggesting each person has different strengths across multiple intelligences. Continue reading to discover how understanding your own intelligence profile could transform your approach to learning and problem-solving.

What Is the Nature of Intelligence? Howard Gardner Explains

An artistic depiction of the human brain illustrates the question, "What is the nature of intelligence?"

What is the nature of intelligence? Is intelligence an objective thing, or is there some subjectivity to it? Howard Gardner explores this fascinating topic in his book Frames of Mind, where he presents criteria for identifying various forms of intelligence. He argues that the nature of intelligence is far more complex than traditional IQ tests suggest. Keep reading to discover how Gardner’s groundbreaking ideas about the nature of intelligence might change your understanding of human capability.

Laziness Does Not Exist: Book Overview (Devon Price)

A woman reading a book on a couch

Do you ever feel like no matter how hard you work, it’s never enough? What’s the book Laziness Does Not Exist about? Devon Price’s book Laziness Does Not Exist challenges the harmful belief that our productivity determines our worth. The book reveals how this toxic myth creates unrealistic expectations, damages our well-being, and teaches us to condemn ourselves and others for normal human limitations. Read more in our brief Laziness Does Not Exist book overview.

Bittersweet by Lotte Bowser: Book Overview & Takeaways

A woman reading a book

What’s Bittersweet by Lotte Bowser about? What inner strength allows a person to face overwhelming grief and still find a way forward? Lotte Bowser’s Bittersweet chronicles a profound six-year journey of love, devastating loss, and eventual healing. Bowser reveals the whirlwind romance with Ben that quickly evolved into deep love, their battle against his cancer diagnosis, and her struggle to reconstruct a meaningful life in the aftermath. Read more in our brief overview of Bittersweet.

Cancer and Marriage Breakdown: The Effect of a Diagnosis

A couple wearing winter attire dealing with cancer and marriage

How do couples navigate the devastating impact of terminal illness on their relationship? How did Lotte Bowser deal with her partner’s cancer diagnosis? Lotte Bowser’s book Bittersweet explores the emotional journey of cancer and marriage breakdown. Her account details the swift romance with Ben, their wedding plans, and the subsequent struggle against his aggressive cancer diagnosis that tested their bond in ways they never anticipated. Prepare to be moved by this raw exploration of love, loss, and resilience.

What Is Howard Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences?

Three image panels (two men and one woman) depicts the question "What is Howard Gardner's theory of multiple intelligences?"

What is Howard Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences? Are there truly different types of intelligence beyond a single IQ score? Is there a scientific basis for the theory? Howard Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences challenges the traditional view that intelligence is a single trait. In his book Frames of Mind, Gardner proposes that humans possess several distinct intelligences, each handling different kinds of information and problem-solving abilities. Read on to understand Gardner’s theory and consider how your brain might be wired for unique forms of brilliance that standard IQ tests never measure.

Laziness Isn’t Real: The Truth Behind the Toxic Cultural Myth

A person laying in bed, wondering if laziness is real

Have you ever wondered why you feel guilty for taking a break, even when you’re exhausted? Why do so many successful people secretly fear they’re not doing enough, despite their accomplishments? Social psychologist Devon Price challenges our productivity-obsessed culture in his thought-provoking book, Laziness Does Not Exist. The concept that “laziness isn’t real” forms the foundation of Price’s argument that what we perceive as lack of motivation actually masks deeper barriers, systemic inequalities, or unmet human needs. Discover how centuries-old beliefs about productivity may be harming your well-being, relationships, and society as a whole.