Top Ten Parenting Books

a parenting moment

When 2010 clicked over to 2011 lots of folks were making Top Ten lists.  Sarah and I were pondering what top ten parenting books we’d recommend to new parents or parents with small children (like ourselves).  Here’s our list.  What would you add?

1. Happiest Baby on the Block – seriously, the 5 S’s saved all of our lives (swaddling, side/stomach position, shushing sounds, swinging, sucking)
2. The Baby Book by Dr. Sears – and anything by the Sears family – the basics, great primer for attachment parenting
3. Siblings without Rivalry - yes, yes you can.
4. Raising your Spirited Child – for the kids who are MORE of everything!  Transitions, transitions, transitions…
5. Relationship Empowerment Parenting – We had the Balswicks for a class at Fuller.  Big takeaway – parent like scaffolding…
6. Myth of the Perfect Mother – not just for moms, we’ve seriously messed up the notion of what mothering is and can be.  This book helps frame the question and offers a new perspective.
7. No-Cry Sleep Solution – big thanks to the Odens for recommending this.  You DO NOT have to let kids “cry it out” – it ain’t healthy, normal, or more godly to do so.
8. Attachment Parenting – like I said, we’re big Dr. Sears fans.
9. Positive Discipline for Preschoolers – discipline is about learning, not power or punishment.
10. Growing Strong Daughters – got girls?  Read this.