My passion for understanding child development and fostering healthy family dynamics leads me to a lot of research through reading.
In this post, I'm excited to share my top picks of parenting books. My favourites are highlighted throughout, with comments and notes in the margins. I return to them frequently for reference.
Additionally, I'll unveil the titles I'm eager to explore in the upcoming year—books promising fresh perspectives and insights into contemporary parenting, current research and evidence-based practices.
These books continue to shape my approach to parenting, offering guidance and wisdom applicable to all who are invested in children's well-being and growth. If books aren’t your thing or you don’t have time to read about parenting because you are actually parenting, each of these authors has a social media presence and valuable content to share.
My Favourites
Brain-Body Parenting - How to Stop Managing Behavior and Start Raising Joyful, Resilient Kids by Mona Delahooke, Ph.D.
This book provides a new understanding of what underlies children’s behaviour and how to help them thrive.
Brain-Body Parenting empowers parents with tools to help their children develop self-regulation skills while encouraging parental self-care, which is crucial for providing the essential “co-regulation” children need.
2. The Power of Showing Up - How Parental Presence Shapes Who Our Kids Become and How Their Brains Get Wired by Daniel J. Siegel, M.D., and Tina Payne Bryson, Ph.D.
Based on the latest brain and attachment research the authors explain that showing up means offering a quality of presence based on the four building blocks of a child’s healthy development. Every child needs to feel what Siegel and Bryson call the Four S’s: Safe, Seen, Soothed and Secure.
I have given this book as a gift for new parents.
I also recommend these books from the same authors; The Whole-Brain Child, No Drama Discipline and The Yes Brain.
3. Permission to Feel - The Power of Emotional Intelligence to Achieve Well-Being and Success by Marc Brackett, Ph.D.
This book introduces a blueprint for understanding our emotions and using them wisely so that they can help, rather than hinder our success. Brackett has developed a system called RULER - a high impact approach to understanding and mastering emotions.
This book has been instrumental in my own emotion awareness and management. The author has been very generous with his time, offering book club sessions on-line to delve deeper into the concepts from his book.
How We Feel is a free app using the concepts of RULER to monitor and manage your emotions.
As founding director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence he is active in promoting social-emotional learning curriculum for education systems world wide.
He has a new book about Dealing with Feelings coming out soon and I will be adding to my list as soon as it’s available.
4. Love Builds Brains by Jean Clinton, MD
This book lays out the early years’ journey of attachment, self-regulation, connection, resilience and well-being with easy to understand scientific explanations and stories.
I have had the pleasure of hearing Jean Clinton speak on several occasions and have been inspired by her passion, knowledge and wonderful sense of humour.
5. The Danish Way of Parenting - What the Happiest People in the World Know About Raising Confident, Capable Kids by Jessica Joelle Alexander and Iben Dissing Sandahl
Denmark is known as the happiest country in the world - so how do Danish parents raise happy, confident and successful kids, year after year? In this book the authors present six essential principles, which spell out P-A-R-E-N-T: Play, Authenticity, Reframing, Empathy, No ultimatums, Togetherness.
A few years ago I attended a virtual workshop by Jessica and was very intrigued. I think there is a lot to learn from these principles that can be applied to parenting anywhere.
6. The Umbrella Effect - Your Guide the Raising Strong, Adaptable Kids in a Stressful World by Dr. Jen Forristal ND
This book explains step-by-step what kids really need as they learn to navigate the ups and downs of life. It offers a practical guide to evaluate their coping skills through each stage of their childhood and how to help them develop the skills they need to weather any storm.
What’s Next on My Reading List?
The Bottom Line for Baby - From Sleep Training to Screens, Thumb Sucking to Tummy Time – What the Science Says by Tina Payne Bryson, Ph.D.
2. The Peaceful Parenting Revolution: Changing the World by Changing How We Parent by Kiva Schuler
Launch Your Parent Coaching Business by the same author is also in my TBR list.
3. Peaceful Discipline - Story Teaching, Brain Science & Better Behaviour by Sarah R. Moore
4. Good Inside - A Guide To Becoming The Parent You Want to Be by Dr. Becky Kennedy
5. The Nurture Revolution: Grow Your Baby’s Brain and Transform Their Mental Health Through the Art of Nurtured Parenting by Greer Kirshenbaum
6. The Five Principles of Parenting: Your Essential Guide to Raising Good Humans by Aliza Pressman
This book is on pre-order. Release date is January 23, 2024.
Special Mention - A Guided Journal
Securely Attached - Transform Your Attachment Patterns into Loving, Lasting Romantic Relationships by Eli Harwood, MA, LPC
The title refers to romantic relationships but this willI apply to all relationships and just to gain an understanding of how your childhood experiences impact your beliefs and attachment patterns. I believe this to be important work for all parents and am glad for this tool to aid the journey.
Eli Harwood is the creator of Attachment Nerd. Follow her on social media platforms for some insightful content.
I have had this journal for a few weeks now but quickly realised I needed to get through the holidays and find some dedicated quiet time to start the process. I will pace myself and take time to process what comes up with compassion.
Conclusion
Now you have some insight into what books guide my writing and perspectives. Perhaps the list has piqued your interest and you will check out one or more of the books or follow some of the authors to access their expertise. Have you already read any of these books or plan to?
I would love to hear about other books that have influenced your parenting journey and I should add to my list. Please share in the comments.
Happy Reading!
~Rose Couse~
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