5 Books That Will Help You Rock At Parenting

Two days ago, a miracle happened. My kids were with my husband, and I had an hour to kill before  had to be at a meeting.

Guys, I had an hour to do whatever the heck I wanted!  This Mama had free-time!

I took full advantage and headed straight for our local bookstore.

I ran to the fiction area.  I needed a book that could whisk me away from my life of messy kids to a beach with sand, sun, and friends.

My fingers ran across each unbroken spine and I took out book after book, read it’s synopsis, smelled it’s booky smell and felt its soft pages.  It had been so long since I held a brand new book in my hand.

After a few minutes of perusing, I must have taken a wrong turn at “beach reads” and found myself neck deep in the parenting book section.

At once, I felt myself drowning.

Have you ever looked at the parenting books at a bookstore?  Holy moly the options!

Overwhelm is an understatement.

I can’t imagine a parent walking into that section and not feeling stressed out.  How is someone who’s looking for help able to weed through the hundreds of books and pick one that is accurate, based in real research, not guilt-ridden, and actually helpful?

It seems impossible.

I admit, I have read my fair share of parenting books, especially when my boys were young.  Thinking back on that time of my life, I was overpowered by motherhood and was desperately searching for a parenting book that would tell me exactly what I needed to do.

I never found it…

Instead, I found 5 books that I continue to turn to throughout my parenting journey.

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The Whole Brained Child

I devoured this book and still, to this day, pick it up to read sections.

Understanding how the brain functions and develops has been something I have been drawn to for years now.  I remember first learning about how a child’s brain develops in college and being immediately drawn to the research.

So, when I found a parenting book that uses that same research to explain why a child acts the way they act, I was all over it!

Let me tell you, The Whole Brained Child is pure gold.  It’s not full of some random guy’s opinions on children’s behaviors, it’s all based in research and facts.  Plus, it’s written in a way that anyone can understand.

Not only does it explain a child’s behavior, but it also gives practical advice on how to help a child through their emotions.

Every parent needs to read this.

Siblings Without Rivalry

This is another must-read for any parent who has more than one child.

I fully believe that every parent wants their children to get along and have a strong bond with their siblings, but how?

This was a big concern for me too.

My brother and I did not get along as kids.  It wasn’t until he finally left for college that our relationship bloomed.  My memories of growing up with him consisted of a lot of yelling and sibling aggression.  Much to my mother’s dismay and concern, we were not kind to one another…like ever.

I do not want this for my kids, so when a counseling friend recommended this book, I yanked it off the shelf and read it cover to cover in a weekend.

I was shocked to discover that I was already inadvertently doing things to cause strife between my two very young children.

Since implementing the techniques in this book, my boys are closer than I ever could have dreamed.  Are they kind to each other all the time?  Ha! Nope, they are still brothers. But most of the time they play very well together and enjoy each other’s company.

I can see them building strong, happy memories together, and that thrills my soul.

I appreciate how the book is a really simple read and it tells you exactly what to do (and what not to do) to help your children through sibling conflicts.

It’s research based, an easy read, and has easy to implement techniques.  It’s perfect!

5 Love Languages of Children

I first stumbled across the 5 Love Languages when I was first married.  It helped me discover my husband’s love language and gave me tools to strengthen our marriage.

I loved the book!

So, when I became a mother and discovered The 5 Love Languages of Children, I knew it was a book I needed to read.

I know that building a strong connection with a child is the key to good behavior, high self-esteem, and good emotional development.

But sometimes we’re not speaking our children’s love language, and that can lead to frustrated children who don’t feel connected to their parents.

I appreciate how this book helps parents identify their child’s language so they can connect with them in a deeper way.

This book is all about learning how to better love our kids.  Doesn’t every parent want their kid to feel loved?

This book is the key to a better connection to your kid.

Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids

This book is written by one of my favorite parenting experts, Dr. Laura Markham.

I devour this woman’s blog and have been a long-time follower.  I’ve been reading her words longer than I’ve been a parent.

I’m a strong supporter of positive parenting.

I first learned how to be a peaceful parent when I was in graduate school, learning to be a children’s therapist.  We were taught the same techniques that peaceful parents use to connect with our young clients.

Little did I know how effective peaceful parenting could be until  I had my own children.  Here’s a bit about Dr. Markham’s philosophy:

Her message: Fostering emotional connection with your child creates real and lasting change. When you have that vital connection, you don’t need to threaten, nag, plead, bribe—or even punish.

You don’t have to punish!?  How can we raise kids and not have to do time-out or make up creative punishments for their negative behavior.

Well….this book tells you all the secrets.  It’s a great read if you’re looking for ways to parent your kids without punishment or feeling like the bad-guy all the time.

By following the tips and philosophy in this book, you can raise children who want to make good decisions and who will have a great relationship with you throughout their lives.

The Gifts of Imperfection

This is not a parenting book.  I’m not even sure how to categorize it.  I guess it would fall under self-help, but it’s so much more than that.

The Gifts of Imperfection by the beautiful Brene’ Brown is a perfect read for any parent.

It helps guide you to being the best version of yourself, in all your imperfections.  It doesn’t try to change you or make you be someone different, it helps to show you how wonderful you already are.

In today’s world, mothers are virtually beaten up on every single day. We are told over and over again the the choices we make for our children and for ourselves are wrong.  We’re constantly feeling like we’re bad parents or that we will never measure up.

This book will show you that even in your imperfections, that you’re perfect.  It helps you embrace yourself and to become that self-assured parent that you’ve always wanted to be.

A quote from her book cover sums it up beautifully:

In her ten guideposts, Brown engages our minds, hearts, and spirits as she explores how we can cultivate the courage, compassion, and connection to wake up in the morning and think, “No matter what gets done and how much is left undone, I am enough,” and to go to bed at night thinking, “Yes, I am sometimes afraid, but I am also brave. And, yes, I am imperfect and vulnerable, but that doesn’t change the truth that I am worthy of love and belonging.”

Read it, it will change not only your life, but the life of your entire family.

More For You:

• 4 Books That Will Enhance a Mother’s Life
• A Tale of a Potty Training Fail
• 4 Secrets to A Less Stressed Mom

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Amanda

I was a Mental Health Counselor who worked with children and mothers in both individual and group counseling environments before I became a Stay at Home Mom to two boys. I have a Bachelors Degree in Child Development and Family Studies and a Masters in Counseling where I specialized in Play Therapy.

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