Parenting Books: Which are Worth Considering and Why
Technology has increased our awareness of a multitude of resources available for all sorts of topics. Self-help, DIY, and opinionated tomes all existed on any subject you may be looking for more information on. Child-rearing is an especially popular choice, with parents searching for everything from what to expect while pregnant, to how to deal with unruly teens gaining their independence.
Narrowing down quality choices out of all that exists can be quite a challenge, and it takes time to read through the hundreds of reviews and detail each book offers. By that time, you might have well read through a few books instead!
Take a look at our top choices below that include a brief review to provide you the information you need to decide if it is what you are looking for!
| Rank | Product | Highlights |
| #1 |  Raising Good Humans
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| #2 |  How to Stop Losing Your Sh*t with Your Kids
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| #3 |  How To Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk
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| #4 |  Caring for Your Baby and Young Child, 7th Edition: Birth to Age 5
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| #5 |  Parenting with Love and Logic: Teaching Children
Responsibility |
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Table Of Contents
- Benefits of Parenting Books
- Types of Parenting Books
- Negative Effects and Your Mindset
- Our Top Parenting Books and Reviews
- 1. Raising Good Humans: A Mindful Guide to Breaking the Cycle of Reactive Parenting and Raising Kind, Confident Kids
- 2. How to Stop Losing Your Sh*t with Your Kids: A Practical Guide to Becoming a Calmer, Happier Parent
- 3. How To Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk
- 4. Caring for Your Baby and Young Child, 7th Edition: Birth to Age 5
- 5. Parenting with Love and Logic: Teaching Children Responsibility
- Conclusion
Benefits of Parenting Books
It really is important you look over the various types of parenting books, no matter who the author is, to help determine which is best for you. The fact is, they all are recommendations, opinions, and acnedote specific to various author’s experiences with the age group in questions, and topic presented- and because of this may not be the answer or support you are looking for. Most provide thought provoking information that you can either take or leave, but always know nothing is set in stone, and all children are different.
Despite this, almost all books hold a nugget of practical or useful advice worth attempting or considering. These are ideas that you may want to research further, or try depending on the situation. They also force you to reflect specifically on your own child and their responses to gain a deeper understanding of how they communicate best- something you can use over and over again as they grow.
On that note: parenting books are not substitutes to the actual approaches they suggest- whether it be potty training or communication. And you need to put the ideas into practice to see how well they work for your unique situation.
Types of Parenting Books
Not all parenting books are the same, and you’ll want to determine which genres are best for the advice you are seeking. Take a look at the following categories so you can work to narrow down your choices.
Personal Accounts
These are often fun and enjoyable to read and although associated with parenting advice, relay personal anecdotes and experiences in the form of advice and storytelling. They are generally humorous and fall into line with the mentality of “we are all in this together” and share the wild and wacky surprises our children bring into our lives. They are the most relatable of all the books, and if you are looking for an unscientific approach may appeal to you more than science based writings.
Advice
The advice category is probably the most available and holds hundreds of books that offer parenting advice in any subject you can imagine. Written by both professionals as well as fellow parents, these offer suggestions, support, and experiences for you to learn from. These books often are a wealth of information that allow you to pick and choose ideas from to apply to your own situation.
Science Based
These researched based books are less about advice, and more related to the measurable reasons of behaviors and medical-related issues. They concern the development of children and cognitive behaviors so you can better understand the “why” behind your observations. These are very helpful to provide a foundation of understanding and often allow a peace of mind to parents who are unsure of what is considered normal, and when discussions with a doctor may be needed.
Philosophical
Philosophical approaches often deal with a mixture of advice, personal accounts, and throw in some scientific observations as well. These are more focused towards different approaches you can take, or steps to take to become the type of parent you want to be, or how to shape a child’s behavior. They have a wide range of advice written by all sorts of authors, and should be read with an eye towards what you feel is appropriate for your own interests and knowledge of your child’s learning and development styles.
Negative Effects and Your Mindset
If you are turning regularly to parenting books for advice and guidance, you need to also consider the reasoning why you are doing so, and take some time for some deep self reflection. Parenting books should be used as a useful resource, not a curriculum of ‘how to’s’ that don’t take into account the very different dynamics each individual child, and family have. If you are frustrated, worried, anxious, are even angry that things are not as a book describes, take a step back. You never have to agree with everything (or even anything) an author is sharing, and nobody knows your family, and child, better than you. Take what makes sense, works, and feels right, and leave the rest behind.
Our Top Parenting Books and Reviews
Trying to narrow down a few top choices is practically impossible. There are a MULTITUDE of excellent parenting books dealing with every subject imaginable, and to try and anticipate what customer needs aer is quite the challenge. After browning through various reading lists and reading MANY reviews, we’ve narrowed (and we mean NARROW) down some of the best dealing with different, well sought out subjects. Of course, not all these books may be what is best for you or your needs, and deciding which to invest in is a personal choice based on your own household.
1. Raising Good Humans: A Mindful Guide to Breaking the Cycle of Reactive Parenting and Raising Kind, Confident Kids
SPECS:
- Type of Book: Advice
- Length: 184
- Focus: Family mental health, respect, behavior approaches
Label: Building Family Relationships Through Mental Health Mindfulness
Written by Hunter Clarke-Fields, this book offers advice from a mindfulness mentor and creator of the Mindful Parenting course and related podcast to help parents cultivate relationships with their children through their daily lives. The book provides realistic, fresh approaches from an experienced, practical, and well-rounded viewpoint to help create family relationships based on cooperation and love.
It is considered a great choice for new parents and focuses on the mental health and independence of not only the child, but the parents as well- and reflects on ways to instill confidence through relationship and trust building skills. It is considered a compassionate book that offers exercises and strategies to get you thinking and applying skills top your own family.
Who This is For
This is a great choice for new parents working to navigate the stages of behavior their children are going through. It also provides insight in ways to take care of yourself, as well as for family.
2. How to Stop Losing Your Sh*t with Your Kids: A Practical Guide to Becoming a Calmer, Happier Parent
SPECS:
- Age Range: All
- Type of Book: Advice/Philosophical
- Length: 192
- Focus: Emotional support, self-help, tips and tricks
Label: Humorous, and Thought-Provoking Parenting Self-Help
Written by Carla Naumburg, a clinical social worker who is author of practical approaches to parenting, her book on becoming calmer, happier parents takes a humorous and compassionate approach to realistic emotional reactions while raising children. Ever feel like you are losing your sh*t with your kids? Well, you aren’t alone, and this book is a breath of fresh air that provides tips and insights for a pragmatic relationship with your own emotions to help unpack stressors and find a way to a calmer, and happier you.
Filled with reality checks, the advice provided is a great way to reflect and consider in your own self-exploration. It helps parents see how their own frustrations are common, and sets forth ways to create action plans to work towards personal growth. It also offers a sense of peace in that we are all in this together.
Who This is For
This is a great choice for parents who feel they are simply not doing it right, and need a reality check in the sense that all parents get to this point sooner or later. What’s great is there are excellent exercises and ways to move past what you don’t like, and focus on healthier responses.
3. How To Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk
SPECS:
- Age Range: All
- Type of Book: Advice
- Length: 384
- Focus: healthy communication, self-discipline, parenting support
Label: Listening to Learn
Part of the How to Talk Series, this book is written by 2 popular authors who share their own experiences and advice on raising children. This bestselling book talks about effective communication, and provides advice and suggestions, as well as personal anecdotes towards building foundations and relationships through innovative problem solving.
This book deals specifically with coping with negative feelings, expression of feelings without harm, engagement in communication, and self-discipline skill building. The focus is on working towards a foundation of trust without sacrificing respect or boundaries- and learning how both parents and children can communicate what they need for healthy resolutions to problems, and meaningful communication.
Who This is For
These are great books for all parents with any age child. The focus of effective communication and problem solving is worth taking into account.
4. Caring for Your Baby and Young Child, 7th Edition: Birth to Age 5
SPECS:
- Age Range: birth-5 years
- Type of Book: Science, Advice
- Length: 960
- Focus: science based child development, tips and tricks for growth and milestone
Label: Milestone Advice From Birth to 5 Years
Published by the American Academy of Pediatrics, this book is in its 7th Edition due to its timeless popularity. This is considered an essential resource that offers scientific support and advice on topics ranging from basic care and milestones, to potty training and CPR instruction. In all, it is a great resource that covers the various questions you may not even know you had!
This book is written in a manner that allows you to easily and quickly look up topics you need answers to, as well as pursue on your own to find helpful tips and tricks for a growing child. It is also a great way to find other recommended resources on specific topics via other resources, as well as including basic info on things like allergies, immunizations, car seats, and even toy safety.
Who This is For
This is a go to for anyone who takes care of children and offers practical, science based advice, and information for quick referencing.
5. Parenting with Love and Logic: Teaching Children Responsibility
SPECS:
- Age Range: All
- Type of Book: Philosophical, Advice
- Length: 272
- Focus: Responsibility, communication, self-management, respect
Label: Teaching Responsibility and Self- Management
Love and Logic is used by people around the world placed in the position of caring for and raising our most important commodity: children. Written by Foster Cline and Jim Fay, it explores emotional control while working to foster a sense of responsibility and respect in children of any age. Help establish boundaries and healthy self- control with tips that allow a step by step learning process for both adults and children.
The book deals with ways to effectively communicate, as well as more specific issues such as tantrums, screen time, and being ready for school. Constantly updated, this newest publication helps address modern issues in an ever changing world.
Who This is For
This is a book for any adult in charge of a child, whether it be at home, classroom, or daycare. These ideas are specific for open and honest communication and help with setting boundaries and responsibility for self.
Conclusion
Parenting books are incredibly varied in topic and genre, but all offer at least a tidbit of knowledge you might be able to put to good use (or at least think deeper upon). These top picks hopefully provide you an overview of what is available, and quality choices on popular subjects dealing with coping skills, parenting responsibilities, and even growth milestones.
Always review books in reference to your own needs and curiosities, and find what you feel is best! These also provide a great jumping off point for similar books, or other topics written or published by the same author!
Photo credit: YAKOBCHUK VIACHESLAV/Shutterstock