Parenting

Parenting Book List

 

Parenting Books                    

The Birth Book

The Baby Book

The Breastfeeding Book

The Discipline Book

The Family Nutrition Book

The Successful Child Book 
by William and Martha Sears

These books are written by a pediatrician and his wife, a nurse and childbirth educator.  They are parents to 8 children and give straightforward, clear information and suggestions for implementing attachment parenting.  Easy to read and use as a resource.

 

Complete Baby & Childcare  by Dr. Mirian Stoppard
Just as the title suggests, simple how-tos for taking care of a newborn.

 

Babyhood - Your Baby and Child:  Birth to Age 5  by Penelope Leach
Ms. Leach is British, but her advice is simple and filled with wisdom as you learn about the basics for your young baby and child.

 

Touchpoints:  Your Child’s Emotional and Behavioral Development by T. Barry Brazelton
Dr. Brazelton is an international expert on child development.  His older books brought him fame, but in this book he shares his wisdom from over 30 years of practice.

 

Baby Massage - The Calming Power of Touch by Dr. Alan Heath and Nicki Bainbridge
Learn how to massage our baby and create a soothing ritual of touch.  It is such fun to do it and see your baby melt under your hands.

 

Baby Signs  by Linda Acredolo and Susan Goodwin

Sign With Your Baby  by Joseph Garcia
Research has shown that teaching your baby sign language enhances their communication with you.  Children are able to understand and process complicated information long before they are able to express themselves verbally.  With sign language,  they can use their earlier emerging physical skills to express their thoughts.

 

Positive Discipline - The First Three Years

Positive Discipline for Preschoolers   both by Jane Nelsen, Cheryl Erwin, Rosalyn Duffy
These two books offer  practical insights into toddler and preschool age kids dynamics.  They saved me when I was ready to pull my hair out with power struggles and tantrums. They may be helpful if you are struggling when a new baby may be about to enter the family.

 

Mother-Daughter Wisdom:  Creating a Legacy of Physical & Emotional Health  by Christiane Northrup
A newly released book that covers the dynamics of this relationship across a lifetime.  Wonderfully written and very interesting even if some areas don’t pertain to your situation.  Will clearly become a classic in understanding the mother-daughter relationship

 

Real Boys  by William Pollack
An amazing book written by a Harvard Psychologist from his research on “Listening to boys voices”.  He shares his insights about the culture in which boys grow up in our country, calling it “the boy code”.  But, he also gives practical information about how we can  improve the situation with our own family structure.

 

How to Talk so Kids will Listen and How to Listen so Kids Will Talk

Siblings Without Rivalry

Liberated Parents Liberated Children  all by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish
Three classics, written in the 1980s,  but still very useful for today.  How to communicate well doesn’t change. 

 

Everyday Blessings - The Inner Work of Mindful Parenting by Myla and Jon Kabat-Zinn
An amazing book about the journey and challenges of parenting.  It is a helpful practice that can change your relationships…or keep them as everyday blessings.  I read this at a time when parenting was particularly overwhelming to me.  It was inspirational and transforming for me and my family.

 

Under the Chinaberry Tree  by Ann Ruethling and Patti Pitcher
Another book about mindful parenting.  It is a very heartfelt book that provides a warm  blanket of comfort and support for the immense and challenging job of parenting mindfully.

 

Busy but Balanced  by Mimi Doe
The title doesn’t do this book justice.  It really is about how do we support ourselves and our children within the ever growing demands of our culture.  I can say that this really didn’t become a need of mine until I had school age kids.  That is when the juggle between working, afterschool activities, school work and having quality time together became a reality.  An excellent resource and guide of how-tos without preaching family unity.  I loved this book.

 

When a Parent is Depressed.  How to Protect Your Children from the Effects of Depression in the Family  by William R. Beardslee, MD
Depression effects us and those around us.  This is a helpful, enlightening book for those who have dealt with depression in themselves or their family.

 

Books reviewed by Marti Churchill, CNM       April 2006