Puddle Jumpers: Simple and Proven Ways to Raise Confident & Joyful Kids

Raise Resilient Kids Who Can Handle Anything. From the Navy SEAL instructor who discovered that mental toughness comes from compassion, not discipline.

Every parent wants to raise strong, confident kids who can handle life's storms. But what if the real secret to toughness isn't toughness at all? As a Navy SEAL sniper instructor, Brandon Webb once believed mental toughness came from pressure and perfection. Then he became a dad—and everything changed. He discovered that real resilience isn't built by pushing harder—it's grown through compassion, connection, and the words our kids hear from us every day. A steady "You've got this" or "Try again, I believe in you" plants confidence deeper than any consequence ever could. Webb admits he's had some incredible jobs in his life, but being a dad is by far the best one. It's where he's learned that strength and kindness aren't opposites—they're teammates. Puddle Jumper Parenting: Raise Kids Who Aren’t Afraid to Get Messy You don't have to choose between gentle parenting that feels too permissive and authoritarian discipline that damages connection. Webb offers a proven alternative that builds real mental toughness without breaking your child's spirit. Puddle Jumper Parenting is about raising kids who leap, splash, and grow stronger with every mess. They're not afraid to make mistakes, take risks, or bounce back from failure. It's the opposite of raising box-checkers or perfectionists—it's about building true resilience and joy through high expectations and high support. This approach works because it focuses on building genuine confidence from within, using the same mental-management principles that create elite performers in the most demanding environments on earth. In This Book, You’ll Discover How To: • Replace harsh criticism with positive self-talk that builds lasting confidence • Use visualization techniques to reduce your child's anxiety and boost performance • Help children handle stress, setbacks, and failure without falling apart • Create clear boundaries while maintaining emotional connection • Give kids the freedom to fail forward—the key to real resilience • Build supportive structure that encourages independence instead of dependence • Develop inner strength that serves children throughout their lives This Isn’t Theory. It’s Proven. Webb merges the discipline of elite training with the humanity of raising three kids in a changing world. What he teaches isn't theory—it's lived experience, refined through years of showing up, falling short, and trying again. Now, with his kids grown and carving their own paths, he sees the real mission accomplished: they're grounded, joyful, and living lives on their own terms. And for any parent, that's the greatest victory there is. This is what truly builds mental toughness—calm consistency, compassion, and connection. That's Puddle Jumper Parenting. Ready to raise your Puddle Jumper? Your journey starts here.

© 2026 Simon & Schuster Audio (Audiobook): 9781668157954

Release date

Audiobook: 12 May 2026