Rather than treating parenting as a job, we invite you to embrace it as a journey.
Drawing from psychological research, neuroscience, and our own stories as parents and people of faith, THE 6 NEEDS OF EVERY CHILD: Empowering Parents and Kids through the Science of Connection presents six relational needs for human growth that together provide a foundation for connected, thriving parent-child relationships.
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You and Your Child are Made for Connection
In a culture obsessed with parenting formulas, performance anxiety can overwhelm us. We ask ourselves things like: What if I’m doing something wrong and messing up my kid? Why isn’t that advice working with my child?
By integrating the science of connection with practical tools, The Six Needs of Every Child is a guidebook that offers a trustworthy roadmap for the journey of imperfect parenting. It will help you pivot from asking, “What do I do?” to, “How shall I be with this person?” by equipping you with:
- An in-depth look at developmental needs grounded in attachment science, with practical tools for moments when you feel stuck
- A clearer understanding about what creates secure connection between parents and children
- Insight into children’s attachment instincts to explore when they feel safe, return for comfort and refuge when things get hard, and the needs that support both
- Self-assessment tools to help you recognize your own patterns and parenting style
- Practical ways to reconnect when things don’t go as planned
The 6 Needs Compass
Children move between two powerful attachment instincts: exploring the world when they feel secure and returning to someone they trust for refuge when things get hard. The Six Needs Compass identifies six relational needs that support children within those movements:
Delight • Support • Boundaries • Protection • Comfort • Equipping
The 6 Needs of Every Child explores how each need supports healthy development, how our own histories shape the needs we respond to most naturally, and what parents can do when connection becomes difficult.
About the Authors
The 6 Needs of Every Child was written by clinical psychologist Jeffrey Olrick, MEd, PhD, and author Amy Olrick. Jeffrey’s work with children and families draws on more than twenty years of experience across schools, residential treatment, community mental health, private practice, and public health settings. Together, Jeffrey and Amy translate attachment science, child development research, and the realities of family life into practical tools for stronger parent-child relationships.
A Special Offer
Your book order gives you access to a printable version of The 6 Needs Compass. Enter your purchase information below to receive a link to the compass download.
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The 6 Needs of Every Child
Drawing on decades of psychological research, neuroscience, and our own experience, the book presents six relational needs for human growth that will transform the way you think about your child—and yourself.
Discover Your Patterns
Take our free self-reflection quizzes to explore which of the Six Needs you may respond to most naturally and which may be harder for you to meet.
Parenting When Our Own Stories Show Up
A 90-minute online workshop exploring how our own histories shape the way we respond to our children, and how the Six Needs can help us move toward greater awareness, connection, and repair.