First, I want to give a heartfelt thank you to Bean’s Books for hosting such a wonderful book signing event. 📚
Seeing families and educators come out, sharing conversations about emotional health, and signing copies of Oh Brother, My Brother was incredibly meaningful. Moments like that remind me why I wrote this book in the first place: to start conversations about family, healing, and the emotional well-being of our children.
That mission was on my mind recently while recording my latest podcast episode.
Normally, I don’t comment on celebrity news or drama. But something I read stopped me in my tracks.
Television personality Jeannie Mai, the ex-wife of rapper Jeezy, recently spoke about their divorce and made a statement about their daughter. She said she was grateful her daughter was only one year old when everything happened because she wouldn’t remember the turmoil.
And when I read that, one thought immediately came to mind:
That’s the mistake many of us make as parents.
We assume that because children are very young, they won’t remember trauma or experience its effects.
The truth is that children don’t have to remember trauma for it to shape them.
Research shows that some of the most critical developmental stages happen between the ages of newborn and 3. During that time, the brain, especially the frontal lobe and limbic system, is developing rapidly. This is when children begin forming emotional regulation, behavioral patterns, and even early defense mechanisms.
So, when a child experiences conflict, instability, neglect, or emotional turmoil during those early years, it can impact their development, even if they never consciously remember it later in life.
Studies have shown that trauma during these early stages can slow emotional development and increase the likelihood of challenges later, including anxiety, depression, maladaptive behaviors, or even substance abuse.
This isn’t about blame.
It’s about awareness.
If anything, moments like this remind us how important it is for parents, especially during divorce, separation, or difficult life transitions, to intentionally create safe, loving environments for our children.
Children need connection.
They need stability.
They need to feel loved and secure by the people who brought them into this world.
The earlier we pour into them emotionally, the stronger and healthier they become as adults.
That’s one of the reasons I wrote my debut children’s book, Oh Brother, My Brother. It’s designed to help families start conversations early, while children are still young, about emotions, healing, and the importance of communication.
The goal isn’t just raising successful kids.
It’s raising emotionally healthy adults.
🎧 If you’d like to hear the full conversation and the deeper context behind this discussion, watch the latest episode of my podcast.
📚 And if you want a meaningful resource to help start healing conversations in your own family, grab a copy of my debut children’s book, Oh Brother, My Brother.
Visit brandondcampbell.com to watch the full episode and order your copy today.
Because healing families starts with intentional conversations. 💬
Watch my latest podcast interviews as featured guests - Wright on Education and Rebuilding the Bluff.
