Parenting is a broad concept involving various aspects of you and your child. Think of it as a combination of actions and interactions that you have with your child. These actions and interactions are driven with purpose and end goals in mind. Parenting helps to build traits like independence, honesty, self-control, kindness, and cooperation. Mind you, a good parent is a role model for his/her children.
Moreover, healthy parenting means nurturing your child and fulfilling their physical, social, mental, emotional, and intellectual needs.
Despite its significance, parenting is not taught in schools or colleges. Instead, you either need to have hands-on experience or learn from others who have proved to be good parents for their children.
Apart from talking to people or parenting experts, you can also refer to some of the best parenting books that will help you emerge as a better parent and at the same time, give your child everything they need to evolve and grow.
So, let’s get started.
10 Best Parenting Books
1. How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk
Author: Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish
Latest Edition: 7 February 2012
Publisher: Scribner
“How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk” by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish is one of the best parenting books to make you a better parent. It is written by the #1 New York Times bestselling authors.
Think of it as the ultimate “parenting bible” that offers information on how to effectively communicate with your children. This is the best books for new parents. The book includes some fresh insights, suggestions, and some of the tried and tested methods to help you solve common communication problems and build a long-lasting relationship with your kids.
According to the author, every small thing that we ignore can impact the kids. It is important to acknowledge their feelings.
You can buy this book from here.
2. The Whole-Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child’s Developing Mind
Author: Daniel J. Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson
Latest Edition: 11 September 2012
Publisher: Bantam
“The Whole-Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child’s Developing Mind” is a New York Times Bestseller. The authors explain the science of how a child’s brain is wired and how it matures slowly.
This book is a simple, smart, and effective guide that will help you understand and resolve your child’s struggles.
True to the name, the authors offer a revolutionary approach to parenting with 12 important strategies. These strategies help the healthy brain development of your kids and ensure they lead a calm, happy, and healthy life.
This book explains how to have healthy emotional and intellectual development, which will help your kids have balanced, meaningful, and connected lives.
The book offers age-specific strategies that will help you deal with the daily challenges of parenting like anxiety and tantrums. If you, as a parent, are having a hard time finding effective solutions during challenging moments, then this book will exceed your expectations.
You can buy this book from here.
3. Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids: How to Stop Yelling and Start Connecting
Author: Dr. Laura Markham
Latest Edition: 28 November 2012
Publisher: Tarcher Perigee
“Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids” by Laura Markham is a groundbreaking parenting guide to raise responsible, capable, and happy kids.
The book is based on the latest research done on brain development and clinical experience with parents by Dr. Laura Markham. Her approach is simple and effective.
She believes that “Fostering an emotional connection with your child will help to create real and long-lasting change.” This book on parenting will help the parents to understand their kid’s emotions, ensuring them to rain a self-disciplined child.
If you are a parent who is tired of tantrums and power struggles, look no further. This book will provide you with all the practical tools to help you transform your parenting into a positive and happy one.
You can buy this book from here.
4. Cribsheet: A Data-Driven Guide to Better, More Relaxed Parenting, from Birth to Preschool
Author: Emily Oster
Latest Edition: 16 July 2019
Publisher: Penguin US
“Cribsheet” by Emily Oster makes decision-making easier in the early years of parenting. As a new parent, people will provide you with different advice, and you will find some on the internet.
In this book, the author debunks the myths of sleep training, breastfeeding, potty training, language acquisitions, and much more.
She also offers a complete guide to questions every parent will have. Some of them include how to get back to work, how to discipline your toddler, and more.
The author offers evidence-based advice to all the parents and, at the same time, will tell you the best decision. Another USP of this book is the cost-effective and suitable approach for all parenting types used by the author.
You can buy this book from here.
5. Siblings Without Rivalry – How to Help Your Children Live Together So You Can Live Too
Author: Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish
Latest Edition: 25 May 2012
Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
“Siblings Without Rivalry” is a #1 New York Times best-selling guide on reducing hostility and generating goodwill between siblings. The authors focus on the battle between the siblings.
This groundbreaking parenting book offers practical tools every parent needs to cope with the conflicts, maintain discipline, reduce competition, ensure both the kids have a great time with each other and build a special and loving bond.
The author teaches how and when to intervene in fights, provides suggestions on how to help children channel their hostility into creative outlets, and at the same time learn how to treat the kids equally.
Siblings without Rivalry is one of the best parenting books for parents who have two kids and want to ensure both kids love each other and build a stronger bond.
You can buy this book from here.
6. The Happiest Baby on the Block
Author: Harvey Karp
Latest Edition: 27 May 2003
Publisher: RHUS
“The Happiest Baby on the Block” is perfect for parents-to-be who want to create a calm atmosphere for the newest member of their family.
It is a #1 National bestseller written by the most respected pediatrician and child development expert, Dr. Harvey Karp.
It is considered one of the most important parenting books of the decade. Harvey debunks extraordinary information provided by parents on how to control their baby’s crying.
The book is a must-read for parents who want to learn how to calm their babies and ensure they cry less. The author explains the 5 S’s (swaddling, side/stomach position, shushing, swinging, and sucking), which will help you trigger their calming reflexes.
You can buy this book from here.
7. Simplicity Parenting: Using the Extraordinary Power of Less to Raise Calmer, Happier, and More Secure Kids
Author: Kim John Payne and Lisa M. Ross
Latest Edition: 31 August 2010
Publisher: Ballantine Books
“Simplicity Parenting” by Kim John Payne and Lisa M. Ross provides inspiration, ideas, and blueprint on:
- How to set up your home environment
- Strategize time tables
- Schedule breaks between schedule
- Manage your child’s screen time
This book is brilliant, informative, entertaining, and ideal for every parent who loves their kids. The author provides achievable and realistic plans to provide a great childhood to your children.
The book offers a three-fold strategy that will simplify your child’s life. Moreover, the book includes logical, real-life examples and a step-by-step approach that will make parenting easy.
You can buy this book from here.
8. Bringing Up Bébé: One American Mother Discovers the Wisdom of French Parenting
Author: Pamela Druckerman
Latest Edition: 30 September 2014
Publisher: Penguin Books
“Bringing Up Bébé” is written by an American journalist Parmela Druckerman who has a baby in Paris. However, she did not want to become a “French parent.”
But she noticed that French children slept through the night, ate braised leeks, and played by themselves while their parents went out for a coffee. Fascinated by all this, Druckerman set out to find out how French kids are so curious and creative.
This book is a charmingly told and wise book that can be an important resource for all American parents.
The author goes beyond parenting and explains the different habits and lifestyles of American Kids and French Kids. This book offers helpful, practical information and useful tips, mainly on sleeping. Bringing Up Bébé is a must-read book for every new parent.
You can buy this book from here.
9. What to Expect the First Year
Author: Heidi Eisenberg Murkoff, Arlene Eisenberg, and Sandee Hathaway
Latest Edition: 30 August 2009
Publisher: Workman Pub Co
What to Expect the First Year is easy to read, faster to flip through, and a new family-friendly book that offers practical tips, advice, relatable and accessible information.
The book covers the following information on parenting: Crib and sleeps safety, feeding, breastfeeding, sleep training, attachment parenting, early potty learning, baby-led weaning, green parenting, and much more.
The book also includes a complete guide on preparing homemade baby food, the impact of screen time, and at the same time, focusing on the mom and dad needs.
If you are pregnant or a new parent, you MUST read this book. It will mentally prepare you for what to expect and make you feel less anxious when the baby has arrived.
You can buy this book from here.
10. Raising Your Spirited Child: A Guide for Parents Whose Child is More Intense, Sensitive, Perceptive, Persistent, And Energetic
Author: Mary Sheedy Kurcinka
Latest Edition: 30 January 2014
Publisher: William Morrow
Raising Your Spirited Child explains strategies and ways of managing kids with the help of updated research and real-life examples.
According to the author, a difficult or strong-willed child is known as the spirited child who usually has the traits that every adult appreciates but is not appreciated by their own parents.
The book offers examples for parents which will help them understand their child’s temperamental traits. The author also explains how to cope with tantrums.
If you are looking for a guide that will provide strategies to handle sibling rivalry, mealtime, bedtimes, and holidays without any trouble, then this book is for you.
You can buy this book from here.
Conclusion
Parenting can be a daunting task. Although becoming a parent for the first time is a beautiful feeling, it can be frustrating. Most of us might not know how to handle the crying kid or manage their sleeping schedule.
We at some point might also end up getting frustrated and giving up. Or even worse, trying to manage two children at a time and ensure you give equal attention to both of them.
All of this can be very time-consuming. When we cannot handle all of this, we might start looking at the internet for advice on how to become a great parent to the kids.
One of the best ways to learn parenting skills is through books. There are many books on parenting that will help you understand the development of a child’s brain, how to ensure your child cries less, and also what to expect from your child in the first year.
Here we listed some of the best parenting books which will help you embark on this beautiful journey, enjoy it throughout, and become the best parents, friends, and role models to your child.
Happy Reading!
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