08/05/2025
COPIED Review..
When I opened Divergent Mind, I wasnât reading for myself. I was reading for my son. I was searching for language to understand the way his mind lights up, the way the world sometimes overwhelms him, and the ways in which he has always felt a little out of step with what others call ânormal.â
Jenara Nerenberg writes to the hearts of those who have wondered, about themselves or about someone they love, Why does the world seem built for everyone else? And in every page, her answer is: You are not broken. You are beautifully differentâand you are not alone. Here are five profound and life-altering truths this book gave me as a parentâand gifts I hope to pass along to my son:
1. Sensitivity is not a flawâit is a quiet superpower.
For so long, the world has told sensitive children to âtoughen upâ or âstop overreacting.â But Nerenberg shows that sensitivity is not a weakness; it is a deep form of intelligence. For my son, whose senses often absorb more than his peers, whose empathy runs deep, and whose mind works in intricate, creative ways, this truth is a gift. His sensitivity is not something to correctâit is something to honor.
2. Many childrenâespecially boysâgo undiagnosed and misunderstood.
Nerenberg reveals how conventional diagnostic tools miss so many kids, especially those who donât fit the stereotypical mold. Boys like my sonâwho mask their differences in public, who overcompensate, who burn out quietlyâcan often slip through the cracks. They might be labeled shy, anxious, inattentive, or even oppositional, when in fact their brains are simply wired differently.
This book gave me language to see beyond the labels and honor the reality of his inner world.
3. Masking is a heavy burdenâand unmasking is an act of courage.
Many neurodivergent kids learn to âmaskâ: to hide their sensitivities, suppress their instincts, and blend in. Nerenberg doesnât just describe maskingâshe acknowledges its silent cost. For my son, who tries so hard to keep up with fast-paced classrooms and noisy playgrounds, this truth hit home. This book reminded me that one of my greatest tasks as a parent is to give him safe spaces to unmaskâto be fully himself without fear of judgment or exhaustion.
4. Our children need environments, not fixes.
Rather than forcing neurodivergent kids to adapt endlessly to an overwhelming world, Nerenberg invites us to shape their surroundings to honor their wiring.
For my son, that means quiet spaces to recharge, predictable routines, and relationships that respect his pace and depth. This book taught me to stop asking, How can I make him fit? and instead ask, How can I build a world where he thrives?
5. Your mind is not wrongâit is rare, and it is enough.
Above all, Divergent Mind is a permission slip. For my son to know, deep in his bones, that he is not broken. That his brain, with its sensitivities and spark, is exactly as it is meant to be. And for me, as his parent, it is a reminder to be his fiercest advocateânot to mold him into what the world demands, but to walk beside him as he discovers his own rhythm.
If you are a parent of a child who has ever seemed âdifferentââtoo sensitive, too quiet, too scattered, too intenseâread this book. Let it soften your gaze, expand your understanding, and show you how to build a life where your child can rest into who they truly are. And if you can, hand it to your child one day. Let them see, in black and white, what I long for my son to know: Your mind is not wrong. It is rare. It is worthy. And it is wonderfully yours.
BOOK: https://amzn.to/3YlqyQs
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