Here at ParentingHacksPlease, we strive to be the best parents we can be for our children and our vision is to empower and support all parents to do the same because our children deserve the best of us. But we can’t do that without listening to the experts, so here is our list of parenting books that we highly recommend.
When I personally became a parent I saw my own parents from a different perspective and I strived to be different, to refrain from making the mistakes they made when raising me. This led me to start reading (or rather listening to the audio versions, because who has time to read when they have little children) the following parenting books.
This is our book list so far, but it will be updated as and when we read (listen to) more inspiring parenting books. I expect that as we hit each new milestone I will reach out for a new book for guidance and I am ready to share it with you. But for now, this is our list:
[Side note: I would highly recommend an amazon audible subscription if you don’t already have one. Like I mentioned, having a young family leaves little time for reading physical books, but stick on an audiobook on your commute to work or while your cooking dinner – game changer!]
Raising Boys in the 21st Century
By Steve Biddulph
and/or
Raising Girls
By Steve Biddulph
We have a boy and a girl so have read both of these but obviously you would read the book(s) that is relevant to you. As parents to two very young children when we read these, we found these books to be eye opening. They gave us great insight into understanding child development at different stages and what our children will need as they grow. The book is a balance of scientific evidence and practical wisdom, aiming to help children become happy and well-balanced from birth to adulthood.
Hold on to Your Kids
By Gabor Mate and Gordon Neufeld
This book strives to educate parents on the topic of peer orientation. A misunderstood and in my opinion, extremely worrying phenomenon that is widely accepted as the norm in today’s society. The book delves into why peer orientation is encouraged by parents even though it simultaneously breaks down family relationships and causes a whole host of heart-breaking issues in today’s youth.
How to Talk So Little Kids Will Listen
By Joanna Faber and Julie King
A must read for anyone with a young child! This book is packed full of tools to use in everyday dealings with little children. Tantrums, refusal to carry out simple tasks, hitting, you name it, this book has strategies for you to try that are more child friendly to little ears than your usual go to approaches.
As someone who is trying to break generational cycles, I found this book very enlightening and at times tough to read as I reflected on my actions and where they originate from. The books seeks to have you analyze your reactions to your child’s behavior and question why you react the way you do. It explains what kind of emotional environment babies and children need to be able to thrive and what we can do to ensure we provide this for them.
The Anxious Generation
By Jonathan Haidt
This is a must read, not just for parents but for anyone who works with children of all ages. I cannot recommend this book enough! As someone who was already in favor of limiting screen time for my children, this book reinforced my thoughts 10 fold. It explains the epidemic of teen mental illness that started with the birth of the smartphone and give solid evidence of why our nations are far too lackadaisical with their regulations and guidance on screen time for youth, going into detail about how detrimental it is for the youth now and for the youth to come.