In a world saturated with parenting advice across podcasts, blogs, books, and social media, it can be overwhelming to choose a method that truly fits the needs of a specific family. Every child is different, every household dynamic unique, and yet so many parenting resources claim to have the solution. That’s why it’s refreshing to explore parenting approaches not as competing “fixes,” but as options to be mindfully chosen based on values, needs, and goals.
A recent blog from Harvey Publishing Ltd dives into this very dilemma. It explores three popular parenting styles – Structure, Simplicity, and Spark – through the lens of three influential books:
- Raising Good Humans by Hunter Clarke-Fields
- Simplicity Parenting by Kim John Payne
- The Little Book of Ikigai Parenting by Holly Walker
Each book represents a distinct philosophy and practical approach to family life. One prioritises mindful discipline and consistency, another promotes calm through decluttering and rhythm, while the third nurtures purpose and individuality.
Which one fits best? The answer might depend less on what a parent wants to fix and more on what they want to foster.
Structure: Calm Through Consistency
Book: Raising Good Humans by Hunter Clarke-Fields
Style: Structure Parenting
In households marked by tension, tantrums, or reactive parenting habits, the structured approach found in Raising Good Humans offers a much-needed reset. The core premise is that peaceful parenting begins with the parent, not the child. By helping parents become more mindful of their own emotional responses, the book guides families away from yelling, threats, or guilt-based discipline.
Practical tools are central to the book’s appeal. It introduces strategies like breathwork, “pause and notice” techniques, and communication scripts that model emotional regulation. The emphasis is on responding rather than reacting, a mindset shift that requires practice, but promises long-term emotional safety.
Ideal For:
- Parents struggling with frustration or shouting
- Families looking to build emotional regulation habits
- Households that need more routine and clarity
Limitations:
While this approach builds a calmer foundation, its focus remains largely on parent behaviour. It offers fewer insights into children’s inner worlds, passions, or sense of individuality, especially for neurodiverse or emotionally complex kids.
Simplicity: Less Is More
Book: Simplicity Parenting by Kim John Payne
Style: Simplicity / Slow Parenting
For parents exhausted by noise, clutter, and a packed calendar, Simplicity Parenting is a gentle call to slow down. Kim John Payne’s philosophy centres on reducing overstimulation so that children can thrive emotionally, socially, and cognitively.
The book lays out four “simplicity pillars”:
- Decluttering the physical environment
- Establishing daily rhythms
- Reducing scheduled activities
- Filtering out adult concerns and media
Each pillar is backed by research and real-world examples, encouraging parents to pare back in order to create space for rest, creativity, and deep connection.
Ideal For:
- Families overwhelmed by busyness, clutter, or tech
- Parents seeking calm, rhythm, and space for imagination
- Children who become anxious or overstimulated easily
Limitations:
Simplicity Parenting may be less adaptable for neurodiverse children who need structure or predictability beyond rhythm. It also places less emphasis on developing emotional intelligence or a sense of purpose, focusing instead on the environment surrounding the child.
✨ Spark: Nurturing Purpose and Identity
Book: The Little Book of Ikigai Parenting by Holly Walker
Style: Purpose-Led / Spark Parenting
Publisher: Harvey Publishing Ltd
While Structure and Simplicity offer strategies for managing behaviour and reducing stress, The Little Book of Ikigai Parenting begins with a deeper question: What makes a child feel truly seen, safe, and significant?
Rooted in the Japanese concept of ikigai—“a reason for being”—this book explores how parents can help children discover their unique identity and passions from an early age. Author Holly Walker invites caregivers to notice what she calls “tiny sparks”—moments of curiosity, joy, or connection that hint at a child’s inner purpose.
The tone is warm, narrative-driven, and emotionally intelligent. Real-life anecdotes are woven throughout, alongside practical tools for emotional regulation, sibling harmony, and cultivating presence. Importantly, the book acknowledges the wide range of child needs, including those of neurodivergent, highly sensitive, or emotionally intense children.
“Ikigai parenting isn’t about morphing into some Zen supermum overnight,” Walker writes. “It’s about tuning in, slowing down, and letting a child’s inner spark guide the way.”
Key Features:
- Focus on emotional identity and self-worth
- Addresses sibling rivalry through belonging, not competition
- Tools for identifying a child’s strengths, interests, and sensitivities
- Specific adaptations for ADHD, autism, and intense temperaments
- Reflective prompts and journaling questions for parents
Ideal For:
- Parents seeking meaningful connection and emotional growth
- Families navigating sibling tension, neurodiversity, or emotional sensitivity
- Anyone drawn to parenting with presence, curiosity, and long-term purpose
Which One Sounds Like You?
Mini Self-Assessment: What’s Your Parenting Style?
Choose the statement that feels most true:
“I want to stay calm and set clear expectations, but I often feel reactive or overwhelmed.”
→ You might connect with Structure (Raising Good Humans)
“Our home feels chaotic—we’re always busy, and the kids are overstimulated.”
→ You might resonate with Simplicity (Simplicity Parenting)
“I want to understand my child on a deeper level and help them become who they really are.”
→ You might be drawn to Spark (The Little Book of Ikigai Parenting)
Most families use a blend of styles. But understanding the core philosophy behind each can help parents parent more consciously, and choose books that support rather than overwhelm.
Final Thoughts: Publishing with Purpose
At Harvey Publishing Ltd, every title is chosen for its power to uplift, inform, and inspire. The Little Book of Ikigai Parenting is a standout example of this mission in action, combining cultural wisdom, modern psychology, and practical empathy for parents navigating the beautiful chaos of family life.
Whether a household thrives on clear routines, needs a break from overstimulation, or is searching for more emotional connection, this book helps parents go beyond behaviour management and into the realm of identity, meaning, and deep relational trust.
As families evolve and face new challenges, the most effective parenting style is often the one that evolves with them. The Little Book of Ikigai Parenting doesn’t offer rigid rules. It offers an invitation: to slow down, notice what matters, and raise children who feel safe, purposeful, and fully themselves.
Related Links & Further Reading:
- Raising Good Humans – Official Site
- Simplicity Parenting – Official Book Page
- The Little Book of Ikigai Parenting – Harvey Publishing
Blog by Harvey Publishing Ltd – nonfiction that inspires, empowers, and educates.
