About Siobhan Chirico:
Siobhan Chirico is a registered psychotherapist specializing in helping children and families. She is passionate about reframing how people understand children’s emotional health and well-being and loves to help parents and educators embrace the latest research about child development in accessible and whimsical ways. Siobhan teaches Self-Regulated Learning at the Faculty of Education, Wilfrid Laurier University. She enjoys reading, running, and spending time in nature with her family in her free time. Siobhan lives with her husband and two teenage children in Burlington, Ontario.
What inspires you to write?
My clients are a constant source of inspiration and awe. They make themselves vulnerable and open to growth, promoting the same in me.
Working with children and families in crisis is a true privilege. I am in awe of the resilience, grace, and love I witness daily in my work. I also know many constraints exist for families seeking help and support in challenging times. I began writing a book as a resource to support my clients, and it has grown into a book that is truly accessible to all families. We all face challenges in our parenting. This guided picture book is designed to be a resource during tough times for kids. It can be used again and again to help guide parents through challenging times, meltdowns and tantrums.
What authors do you read when you aren’t writing?
I love to read. I usually have one fiction and one nonfiction book on the go. I love to read Lisa Genova and Liane Moriarity. For nonfiction, I love to read about psychology and human behaviour. Brene Brown and Gabor Mate are some of my favourites. My favourite book is The Book of Forgiving by Desmond Tutu and his daughter Mpho Tutu- I read it at least once a year.
Tell us about your writing process.
It's a long process for me. For this book, the process started when I noticed patterns of concern from several families. Disrupted family life takes a massive toll on people. I reflected on client notes and realized some pieces of education seemed almost universal—every kid has a tantrum at some point! So, I began to compile the ideas. I worked with some of my clients—the kids, in particular- and gained their insight into the most essential ideas. Kids are fantastic; they don't hold back! The guidance in the book comes from neuroscience, behavioural science and real families.
What advice would you give other writers?
Start. Just put your pen on paper or your fingers on the keyboard. If you are excited about something and want to share it, start writing. Next, surround yourself with trustworthy, smart people who can honestly and compassionately offer feedback. The first step is the hardest.
How did you decide how to publish your books?
We are so lucky to live in a time when publishing is accessible. I looked into many options for self-publishing and landed at Freissen Press, a Canadian company with worldwide distribution. They offer editing, illustrators, and marketing help, which was a great experience for me.
What do you think about the future of book publishing?
Self-publishing is common now, and I wonder how AI will shake things up. I write for different newspapers and magazines, and they have all added a line noting NO AI, which I think is good. Writing is a creative art, even non-fiction, and I hope we can maintain the humanness in books.
What genres do you write?: Non-Fiction – Self help-parenting
What formats are your books in?: Both eBook and Print
Website(s)
Siobhan Chirico Home Page Link
Your Social Media Links
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All information in this post is presented “as is” supplied by the author. We don’t edit to allow you the reader to hear the author in their own voice.
