Raising kids is hard. On this we can all agree.
To make matters even more confusing, there are so many different parenting styles and strategies out there. Parenting is by no means a one-size-fits all type of proposition.
Sure you can ask friends for their best parenting advice…but at the end of the day it really boils down to deciding “what kind of parent do I want to be?”
Only you can know what works best for your situation, your values, and your individual child. Which is why parenting books are such a LIFESAVER.
There are helpful books targeted for all types of parenting styles and situations.
Whatever approach you want to take, whatever issues you may be facing, there are parenting books that can help!
And while the parenting tips other people give may be helpful, parenting books allow you to understand solutions based on facts and expert advice, without judgement.
The titles we selected are all highly-recommended popular books that have helped millions of parents, and they can help you too!
Check out our list of the top ten helpful parenting books and see if you don’t find just the thing you’ve been looking for.
Best Parenting Books
1. The Attachment Parenting Book : A Commonsense Guide to Understanding and Nurturing Your Baby
Author: William Sears, MD, and Martha Sears, RN
Category: Attachment Parenting
The Attachment Parenting Book is one of the classic parenting books, and for good reason. There are differing strategies on how best to raise your child, and this book explores how to do so by developing a nurturing connection between parent and child.
The book covers the six “Baby Bs” for which attachment parenting is best known: birth bonding, breastfeeding, babywearing, bedding close to baby, belief in the language value of baby’s cry and being aware of baby trainers.
Related: Top 12 Ways To Improve Your Parenting Skills Today
It’s basically all the information you need to achieve your most important goals as a new parent: to know your child, to help your child feel cared for, and to enjoy parenting.
2. The Whole-Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child’s Developing Mind
Author: Daniel J. Siegel
Category: Healthy Brain Development Strategies
The Whole-Brain Child is a pioneering book created by a neuropsychiatrist and a parenting expert.
This book takes a scientific approach to parenting by addressing the steps to foster healthy brain development.
If “brain science” sounds intimidating, don’t worry. The book is written in a way to make the concepts clear to the average parent.
You don’t need to be a scientist to get all the useful information from this book
It’s a practical and straightforward guide toward raising calmer, happier kids while facing daily parenting struggles in a way that foster’s your child’s brain development.
3. The Co-Parenting Handbook: Raising Well-Adjusted and Resilient Kids
Author: Karen Bonnell and Kristin Little
Category: Co-Parenting
The Co-Parenting Handbook is a favorite of ours because it guides both adults and children through the transition process that happens when parents separate.
Related: Co-Parenting Tips That Work. Even On A Toxic Ex!
When your kids start asking hard questions, and they will, this parenting book helps you find the words you need.
It helps parents move from being angry, hurt partners to being constructive co-parents who can put their children’s needs first.
4. The Kickass Single Mom: Be Financially Independent, Discover Your Sexiest Self, and Raise Fabulous, Happy Children
Author: Emma Johnson
Category: Single Motherhood
The Kickass Single Mom was written by Emma Johnson who found herself suddenly single, broke, pregnant, and alone with a toddler.
She couldn’t find the type of parenting advice she needed, so she launched the popular blog Wealthysinglemommy.com to speak to other women who wanted to thrive as single moms.
In this complete guide to single motherhood she shares strategies for balancing work and parenting, achieving financial freedom, being a role model for your kids, and yes…even dating.
It’s a must-read resource for any single mom.
5. Simplicity Parenting: Using the Extraordinary Power of Less to Raise Calmer, Happier, and More Secure Kids
Author: Kim John Payne and Lisa M. Ross
Category: Minimalist Parenting
Simplicity Parenting takes on issues of our busy modern society; too much stuff, too many choices, and too little time.
The authors argue that this type of environment can lead children to become anxious and display behavioral problems.
Related: When Less Is More – The Best Minimalist Baby Gear
The book suggests ways to dial it all back in order to create a more stress-free home life where kids can thrive.
It’s all about streamlining, scaling back on media, and making more time for kids to play, develop, and grow.
6. Parenting With Love And Logic
Author: Foster Cline MD, and Jim Fay
Category: New Parents (child development focus)
If you’re looking for an owner’s manual on raising your kids to be responsible and ready for the real world, Parenting With Love and Logic might be just the book you’re looking for.
Focused on temperament and child development, this parenting book helps you lay the groundwork for strategies that will teach your child responsibility and build character, without you having to resort to anger, shame, nagging or bribery.
It’s one of the must-have parenting books for first time parents.
7. The Conscious Parent: Transforming Ourselves, Empowering Our Children
Author: Shefali Tsabary, PhD
Category: Conscious Parenting
The Conscious Parent is based on the central idea that children mirror their parents, so parents can best raise their children by developing themselves first.
It’s a mindfulness approach to parenting designed to prevent adults from passing on their own psychological pain and emotional damage to their kids.
Related: Bring Calm To Chaos – Six Simple Mindfulness Exercises For Kids
Conscious parenting strives to create an environment with less conflict, and a more balanced child and family dynamic.
8. No-Drama Discipline: The Whole-Brain Way to Calm the Chaos and Nurture Your Child’s Developing Mind
Author: Daniel J. Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson
Category: Positive Discipline
For people who embrace positive parenting, discipline can often be a challenge. No-Drama Discipline provides an effective, compassionate road map for dealing with things like tantrums, fights, and tears—without resorting to negative, punitive measures.
Related: Positive Discipline – Parent With Love Not Fear
This book shows you how to work with your child’s developing mind, peacefully resolve conflicts, connect in a loving way, and strengthen resilience in all members of the family.
9. Raising Your Spirited Child: A Guide for Parents Whose Child Is More Intense, Sensitive, Perceptive, Persistent, and Energetic
Author: Mary Sheedy Kurcinka
Category: Parenting High Energy/ Strong-Willed Kids
Raising Your Spirited Child provides parents with the most up-to-date research, effective discipline tips, and practical strategies for parenting strong-willed kids.
The book lays out a simple, four-step program to help you discover the power of positive labels, understand your child’s temperamental traits, and cope with tantrums and conflicts when they occur.
It offers practical strategies for handling everyday issues like mealtime, bedtime, school, and other situations where spirited kids might struggle.
10. NurtureShock: New Thinking About Children
Author: Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman
Category: Science and data-based parenting
Be ready parents… because NurtureShock will change everything you think!
The authors take the latest science and apply it to parenting in areas like motivation, praise, sibling relationships, sleep, and more.
This book shows how many of our modern parenting strategies are not working because important scientific data has been misinterpreted or overlooked.
If you love to geek out on the latest research and have your mind blown (in a good way), this is the book for you.
Also In Beenke: 9 Parenting Mistakes To Avoid
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