What to Do When It's Not Fair: A Kid's Guide to Handling Envy and Jealousy - Paperback

by Jacqueline B. Toner (Author), Claire A. B. Freeland (Author), David Thompson (Illustrator)

Is life feeling unfair? This workbook helps kids turn envy into empowerment!

Winner of a Gold Medal, Mom's Choice Awards

Sometimes it feels like everyone else has more--more toys, more fun, more everything. When those "it's not fair!" feelings bubble up, it can be hard to know what to do. But kids don't have to stay stuck in jealousy. They can learn to shift their focus and feel better about themselves--and this book shows them how.

What to Do When It's Not Fair is a playful, practical guide that helps kids understand envy and jealousy, and gives them tools to manage those tricky emotions. With engaging activities, colorful illustrations, and expert strategies, this interactive workbook helps kids build self-awareness, gratitude, and confidence.

Whether your child feels left out, frustrated, or just stuck in the "it's not fair" mindset, this book offers a compassionate and creative path toward feeling better--and seeing the good in themselves and others.

Key Features:

• Empowers kids ages 6-12 to recognize and manage feelings of envy and jealousy
• Uses proven cognitive-behavioral techniques to help kids reframe thoughts and build emotional resilience
• Encourages self-esteem and gratitude through fun, hands-on exercises
• Part of the trusted What-to-Do Guides for Kids series--used by parents, educators, and therapists for more than 20 years
• Includes a supportive guide for parents and caregivers to help kids navigate tough emotions
• Created by Magination Press, the children's imprint of the American Psychological Association--trusted leaders in children's mental health and well-being

Front Jacket

Envy and its cousin, jealousy, are feeling that adults and children confront on a regular basis. But adults are able to recognize what children cannot: desires and envy come and go. Some children can struggle with envy and react negatively to the good fortune of others.

"What to When It's Not Fair" is designed to help children learn to cope with envy and jealousy. Children will learn to identify triggers that lead to envy and to develop alternative thoughts that can reduce envy's impact. All of the techniques are based on cognitive-behavioral principles. Includes an introduction for parents and caregivers that discusses the emotion of envy and how this book can help.

Author Biography

Claire A. B. Freeland, PhD, is a clinical psychologist in private practice, working for more than thirty-five years with youth and their families. Interested in bringing the general principles of cognitive-behavioral therapy to families everywhere, she is the co-author of What to Do When It's Not Fair, What to Do When Mistakes Make You Quake, and What to Do When You Feel Too Shy. She lives with her husband in Baltimore. They have two grown children. Visit Dr. Freeland at www.clairefreelandphd.com

Jacqueline B. Toner, PhD, is the co-author of several self-help books. She has been in private practice working with children, teens, and families for over thirty years. Dr. Toner earned her PhD from the University of Virginia and completed two post-doctoral programs (in pediatric psychology and adolescent medicine) at the University of Maryland Medical School. Dr. Toner also serves as lead facilitator and consultant on a project on medical ethics led by Johns Hopkins Hospital and the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. She is the mother of three grown children and lives with her husband in Baltimore.

David Thompson, illustrator of What to Do When It's Not Fair, is a third-generation artist living in Baltimore, Maryland, with his wife and two daughters.