The Best Parenting Books I’ve Read

It is no secret that I love to read and the self-help section is my jam. After going on a binge of health and anti-inflammation books, I have recently picked up a few really good books on parenting that I felt are worth sharing. When I was pregnant with my first son I read a bunch of parenting books. So many, in fact, that I became overwhelmed by all the information and decided to take a break from them for a bit. Then, when my sweet boy refused to sleep I got a new round of books. None of the sleep techniques I read about and faithfully tried worked, leading to yet another parenting book break.

I have picked up a few parenting books here and there since I do love to learn. Also, parenting is HARD and I feel like it’s a total crapshoot half the time so I can use all the help I can get. However, nothing ever really knocked my socks off except one, which I will get into here. However, recently I have read two other parenting books that are amazing and I feel the need to share.

The Best Parenting Books I’ve Read

How to Talk So Your Kids Will Listen, and How to Listen So Your Kids Will Talk: This is the book I read a few years back and I think of it often. Showing empathy to your children, giving them choices, being careful not to use labels and the importance of proper praise is just a few of the things I took away from this book. I think it is a classic for a reason and one that all parents should read.

The Awakened Family: I heard this author, Shefali Tsabary on Oprah’s Super Soul Sunday podcast and her view on parenting was so interesting. Apparently, Oprah thought her book, “The Conscious Parent” was so good that she admitted to giving it to all her friends who have kids. When I went to look up the book at my online library, they didn’t have that one but they had Tsabary’s newer book, “The Awakened Family.” This book is CRAZY informative and made me think about parenting in a whole new way. Most of the book focuses on how our ego gets in the way of our parenting. I would have never thought this was true, but as I was reading it I found myself nodding in agreement more than I care to admit. A few parts of the book are a little out there, even for me. However, the bulk of the book is so good and it has really changed the way I parent. I am more aware of my actions and how I speak to my kids. Seriously, get this book, but be prepared to roll your eyes through a few paragraphs… but the rest is totally worth it! 😉

How to Be a Happier Parent: Raising a family, Having a Life, and Loving (Almost) Every Minute: This books was sent to me by the publisher and I am so glad they did! It was a really great all-encompassing read. The author talks about the REAL parts of parenting that drive me crazy: homework, screen time, chores, discipline and so much more. It was nice to see how she broke up the topics, since it made me realize that obviously I am not only when it comes to stressing about these things. The book included tips and suggestions from a number of therapists and child specialists… so there is advice from a variety of experts, told from the perspective of a very witty mom of 4.

There you go! My top 3 parenting books. Have you ever read a parenting book that really helped you? If so, I would love to hear about it in the comments section!