Good Kids: Why You Suffered in Silence and How to Break the Cycle

"An old soul" ... "a delight to have in class" ... "so mature for your age"

If you grew up as a Good Kid, you probably heard these words a lot. And you were good. Quiet. Easy. Responsible. So disciplined, you basically raised yourself. You're the one everyone counts on -- and you wear it like a good star.

But nobody ever checks on you. And you're exhausted from proving your goodness by being an overachieving, people pleasing, perfectionist, pushover, and shape-shifting chameleon.

Good Kids is about the invisible trauma and cost of always being "good" -- a lifetime of bottling your emotions, performing calm while constantly scanning everyone around you for the slightest sign of upset or disappointment and the crushing fear of being "a burden." Oh, and always worrying that you're in trouble.

Maggie Nick was a Good Kid too -- the one who "never caused trouble" and always made sure everyone else was okay (even when she wasn't). Now a trauma therapist, parenting expert, and cycle breaking mom, she's here to help you heal from the fallout of being easy to raise and show you how to support the good kids in your life through those same messy, human moments you weren't allowed to have.

This book answers the questions you've been asking yourself for years, like:
Why do I feel crushing guilt when I say no?
Why do I replay conversations for days, convinced I did something wrong?
Why do I feel like I'm "too much" and "not enough"?

With raw honesty, deep compassion and grounded research, Good Kids gives you the clarity and validation you've been searching for your whole life and the handbook for how to heal and break the good kid cycle for your children.


Author: Maggie Nick
Publisher: Sheldon Press
Published: 01/27/2026
Pages: 334
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.76lbs
Size: 8.47h x 5.40w x 1.03d
ISBN: 9781399821254

About the Author

Maggie Nick is a Recovering Good Kid turned trauma therapist, parenting expert and cycle-breaking mom who has spent her life recovering from being the child "nobody ever needed to worry about." Through her rebellious online community, Camp Lovable, she helps Recovering Good Kids finally feel safe to stop feeling guilty, worrying about what other people think and just be themselves.

Maggie received her Masters in Social Work from Indiana University and her Bachelors in Sociology with a double major in Psychology from Virginia Tech. She lives near the beach in Florida with her husband, two kids and beloved dogs.