12 Best Parenting Books: Expert Recommendations for Raising Happy and Healthy Kids

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How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish

How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish

Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish’s book, “How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk,” has been a staple in the world of parenting for decades. The book teaches parents how to effectively communicate with their children by decoding child-language and understanding their perspectives.

By doing so, parents can avoid yelling or repeating themselves and establish a better relationship with their kids. The book is particularly useful for new fathers who are learning how to navigate parenthood. With 39% off the original price, it’s a great investment for any parent looking to improve their communication skills with their children.

Essential Labor: Mothering as Social Change by Angela Garbes

Essential Labor Mothering as Social Change by Angela Garbes

Angela Garbes, a journalist, highlights the significance of caregiving, especially during the pandemic, in her book Essential Labor: Mothering as Social Change. Garbes contextualizes the history of care work and emphasizes the need to value it more.

Her previous work, Like a Mother, focuses on pregnancy and the postpartum period, debunking common myths about breastfeeding and drinking while pregnant. By shedding light on the importance of mothering, Garbes advocates for social change and a greater appreciation of essential labor.

What to Expect the First Year by Heidi Murkoff

What to Expect the First Year by Heidi Murkoff

Heidi Murkoff’s book, What to Expect the First Year, provides parents with a month-by-month guide to their baby’s development. This guide can help parents anticipate upcoming behaviors, milestones, and symptoms that may require medical attention.

The book is a continuation of the popular What to Expect When You’re Expecting series, which focuses on the changes that occur during pregnancy. What to Expect the First Year is an essential resource for new parents who want to stay informed about their baby’s growth and development.

For mothers who appreciate this approach, there is also a follow-up book, What to Expect the Second Year. With this book, parents can feel confident and knowledgeable about what to expect during their baby’s first year.

How to Raise an Adult by Julie Lythcott-Haims

How to Raise an Adult by Julie Lythcott-Haims

Julie Lythcott-Haims, a former dean of freshmen at Stanford University, offers parents practical advice on how to raise independent and self-sufficient children. Her book, “How to Raise an Adult,” emphasizes the importance of allowing children to develop the skills they need to become autonomous adults.

By avoiding overprotective and controlling tendencies, parents can help their children become confident, capable, and resilient. Lythcott-Haims believes that while children may always need their parents, they should also be able to fend for themselves.

Cribsheet by Emily Oster

Cribsheet by Emily Oster

Emily Oster, an economist, has taken a unique approach to parenting advice by using data to cut through the noise of conflicting information. Her book, Cribsheet, presents evidence-based information on topics such as breastfeeding and potty-training, providing clarity for parents looking for guidance.

Oster’s methodology involves analyzing studies and crunching numbers to present what science can back up. Her previous book, Expecting Better, took a similar approach to pregnancy advice. Her most recent book, The Family Firm, explores decision-making models for families with older children.

In Cribsheet, Oster tackles common parenting questions such as whether or not to breastfeed for intelligence, and when to potty-train. The book provides a clear and concise breakdown of the evidence, allowing parents to make informed decisions based on the available data.

How to Raise Kids Who Aren’t Jerks by Melinda Wenner Moyer

How to Raise Kids Who Aren't Jerks by Melinda Wenner Moyer

Melinda Wenner Moyer’s research-based approach offers parents practical advice on developing compassion, generosity, anti-sexism, and anti-racism in children. Her work demystifies the often-fuzzy aspects of parenting and provides actionable steps for parents to navigate difficult situations. By following Wenner Moyer’s advice, parents can reduce crying and create a positive environment that fosters healthy emotional development in children.

The Wonder Weeks by Xaviera Plooij, Frans X. Plooij and Hetty van de Rijt

The Wonder Weeks by Xaviera Plooij, Frans X. Plooij and Hetty van de Rijt

The Wonder Weeks is a popular book among parents who want to understand their baby’s behavior and developmental milestones. This book explains the different “leaps” that babies take in their first year-plus, and the challenges that come with each leap.

The newly revised edition released in 2019 provides more detailed coverage of the first 20 months of a baby’s life. In addition, Xaviera Plooij, one of the co-authors, released The Wonder Weeks: Back To You in 2022 to assist mothers in their recovery after pregnancy.

The Whole-Brain Child by Daniel J. Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson

The Whole-Brain Child by Daniel J. Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson

The Whole-Brain Child by Daniel J. Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson is an informative book that talks about child brain development and how it can help parents deal with day-to-day struggles such as tantrums.

The authors’ mindset is focused on providing better communication between parents and children. The book is currently available at a 33% discount. For those who are interested in the authors’ approach, they can also try their No Drama Discipline techniques.

The Happiest Baby on the Block by Harvey Karp

The Happiest Baby on the Block by Harvey Karp

Harvey Karp’s book, The Happiest Baby on the Block, offers a solution to help parents soothe their crying babies. Karp introduces the “5 Ss” method, which includes swaddling, shushing, swinging, sucking, and placing the baby in a side-stomach position.

These techniques aim to calm the baby and provide an “off switch” for crying, allowing the entire family to get more sleep. Karp, a child expert and inventor of the SNOO bassinet, has gained popularity among parents who swear by his methods.

The book has become a parent favorite, and for those who have success with Karp’s techniques, he also offers help with tantrum-elimination and other toddler woes in his book, The Happiest Toddler on the Block.

Diaper Dude by Chris Pegula and Frank Meyer

Diaper Dude by Chris Pegula and Frank Meyer

Chris Pegula, the author of the From Dude to Dad pregnancy guide, and Frank Meyer have created a line of Diaper Dude-branded diaper bags that cater to the modern dad. The bags look like regular-guy backpacks and messenger bags, ensuring that dads don’t have to sacrifice their personal style when becoming fathers.

The ethos of their book is that dads don’t have to lose themselves when they become fathers, and this line of bags reinforces that message. It’s a great option for dads who are thinking about the long-term and want a functional and stylish diaper bag.

Summary

The best parenting books provide insight and guidance to help parents navigate the challenges of raising children. These books cover a wide range of topics, from discipline and communication to child development and mental health.

Some popular titles include “The Whole-Brain Child” by Daniel J. Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson, “Parenting with Love and Logic” by Charles Fay and Foster Cline, and “How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk” by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish. Each book offers unique perspectives and strategies to help parents become more effective and confident in their parenting.

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