10 Books That Parents Need to Read
We laugh about a baby coming without an instruction manual, but there are a lot of parenting books that declare themselves a guide in all things parenting. Here are 10 truly valuable books about children — how they learn, how they think, and how they grow — that all parents will appreciate.
1. How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish
This book focuses on how to build a great relationship with your kids through talking and listening. Great for parents of children of all ages, but also helpful for teachers and everyone else who interacts with kids.
2. Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell
Not so much a parenting book, but more of a study of what really helps people become successful. It’s a useful book for parents, because it shows what tends to lead to personal success and what doesn’t. Read it and you’ll get some ideas of how to instill these qualities of successful people in your children.
3. NurtureShock: New Thinking About Children by Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman
Backed up by research and studies, the authors claim that many parenting customs that we think are common sense, like regular praise, may actually be detrimental. This book will challenge your views on parenting and will enlighten you on various issues, from sleep to sibling relationships.
4. Mind in the Making: The Seven Essential Life Skills Every Child Needs by Ellen Galinsky
The most important thing you can teach your child is the ability to think. This book shows you how to achieve that, with a chapter on each of the seven essential life skills that includes tips, suggestions, and examples. No matter how old your children are, you’ll find the book very helpful and informative.
5. Simplicity Parenting: Using the Extraordinary Power of Less to Raise Calmer, Happier, and More Secure Kids by Kim John Payne and Lisa M. Ross
More choices means more freedom, right? Not for children, who may feel stressed and overwhelmed with too many things to do, toys to play with, and stuff to look at. This book shows you how to make things simple for both you and your kids, which won’t lead to deprivation, but will actually be enriching and rewarding.
6. Siblings Without Rivalry by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish
The authors of How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk wrote another wonderful book on parenting siblings. This book will help parents learn what to say and what to do so siblings fight less and relate to each other more. Complete with comic strips, clear examples, and stories told by adult siblings, this book is a pleasure to read.
7. The Whole-Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child’s Developing Mind by Daniel J. Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson
Scientists have made great strides in understanding brain development in children. This insightful book applies the new knowledge to parenting, with strategies for parents to use with their children to ensure the development of the whole mind, balancing the emotional side with the logical side.
8. Einstein Never Used Flashcards: How Our Children Really Learn — and Why They Need to Play More and Memorize Less by Kathy Hirsh-Pasek and Roberta Michnick Golinkoff
In today’s competitive world, many parents are trying to enroll their young tots into quality preschools and becoming worried if their kids aren’t picking up academic skills. This book will help ease parents’ worries and that play is so much more important for young kids than academics.
9. Playful Learning: Develop Your Child’s Sense of Joy and Wonder by Mariah Bruehl
Now that we’ve established that play IS learning, what kind of play should parents encourage their kids to do? This book includes many fun suggestions for hands-on projects that parents can prepare for their children at home.
10. Parenting the Strong-Willed Child by Rex Forehand and Nicholas Long
Despite the title, this book is a great resource for all parents of children from two to six years old. It focuses on positive discipline and how the parent can regain control for a happier, stable home.
Parenting is such a challenging endeavor and many books have been written on the subject, so naturally this list is not complete in any way. That said, what parenting books have you read and loved? Share in the comments!
Cassity has had a love of blogging since 2007, when she started her first blog Remodelaholic.com Since then as her interests have grown, and so has her need to share more things that she loves. Tipsaholic was born to share interesting lifestyle, family, kids, travel and financial topics, plus a bunch of stuff in between. I hope you learn some great tips and share them with those you love!
