6 Encouraging And Useful Books About Parenting

Helpful Books For Parents

Useful Products for New Parents

If you're expecting your first child and want to make sure you're fully prepared, be sure to add these to your checklist:

• A baby backpack so you can take your little one on-the-go
• Some baby wash to keep away germs & bad smells
• A bottle for when they get hungry
• If you have extra time to cook, a baby food maker is a good investment
• An entertaining play mat will keep a baby stimulated
• Keep track of precious memories with a baby book
• Some cute & comfy onesies
• A monitor so you can keep track of them without being glued to the nursery

How to Raise Successful Kids

9 Chapter Books Parents and Kids Can Read Together

1. The Gollywhopper Games by Jody Feldman & Victoria Jamieson
2. The Trouble With Chickens by Doreen Cronin & Kevin Cornell
3. Saving the Team by Alex Morgan & Paula Franco
4. A Wolf Called Wander by Rosanne Parry & Mónica Armiño
5. The Book of the Wise by J.T. Cope IV
6. No Cream Puffs by Karen Day
7. Scary School by Derek The Ghost & Scott M. Fischer
8. Mo: The Talking Dog by Michelle Booth
9. Nick and Tesla's Secret Agent Gadget Battle by Bob Pflugfelder & Steve Hockensmith

Achieving a Work-Life Balance

In Depth

Bringing up well-adjusted kids can seem daunting without any outside help. After all, as the old proverb goes, it takes a village to raise a child. Thankfully, there are countless educators and writers willing to share their parenting expertise. If you are interested in learning more about what has been written on this topic, then here, in no particular order, is a selection of enlightening books on raising kids.

Coming in at #1 is "The Mindful Child" by Susan Kaiser Greenland. Drawing on work done by a UCLA-affiliated program, this book lays out practical ways for parents to help their kids manage stress. Focusing on mindfulness, it puts forth a step-by-step mental training guide that makes for more resilient, considerate, and empathetic children.

Kaiser Greenland has created several other useful resources for raising young ones. "Mindful Games," for example, is a collection of activities that introduce and improve practices tied to concentration, sensory awareness, and emotional regulation. She has also released an audiobook that shows parents how to incorporate secular mindfulness into their busy schedules. Elsewhere, she maintains her own blog, touching on topics like gratitude and the intersection of technology and consciousness.

Kaiser Greenland has created several other useful resources for raising young ones.

In the #2 spot is "Nanny to the Rescue!" by Michelle LaRowe. Published in 2006, this book combines wit, wisdom, and tips for parents with young kids. A graduate of Bridgewater State, LaRowe has worked with parents since 1994 to help raise their children, and received the Nanny of the Year award in 2004 in recognition of her work.

LaRowe has published a sequel to her first book, offering more tried and tested tips for parents with children aged six to twelve. Other books from this author include "Working Mom's 411" and "A Mom's Ultimate Book of Lists," both of which help mothers balance parenting and other life demands. To complement her written work, LaRowe has also served as executive director of a nanny referral agency in Houston.

In the #3 spot is "The 'Perfect' Parent" by Roma Khetarpal. Released in 2014, this book serves as a guide for adults raising kids, encouraging them to abandon unrealistic ideals and embrace the concept of inner perfection. A combination of practical advice and insightful anecdotes, it equips its readers with five communication tools that bring together parents and children.

A combination of practical advice and insightful anecdotes, it equips its readers with five communication tools that bring together parents and children.

Beyond her book, Khetarpal, along with Dr. Julie Watson, founded Tools of Growth, a comprehensive resource that empowers parents to improve communication and connection with their kids. It offers a number of features to its users, including online support, mindfulness programs for the classroom, and specialized instruction for school bus drivers. Furthermore, TOG makes posts on its blog, covering topics like commitment and learning from children.

Coming in at #4 is "What Not to Say" by Sarah MacLaughlin. A licensed social worker, MacLaughlin outlines effective communication tools for parents to use with young children. Released in 2010, the book provides readers with practical techniques that shed light on the importance of language and awareness when speaking to kids under six.

In addition to her book, MacLaughlin engages in other efforts to better the field of child-rearing. Her Parent RESET Program, for example, is a self-paced resource that emphasizes the role of personal care when parenting. Elsewhere, her blog touches on all manner of topics, with posts ranging from discussions of gatekeeping to reflections on healthy living.

Elsewhere, her blog touches on all manner of topics, with posts ranging from discussions of gatekeeping to reflections on healthy living.

In the #5 spot we have "Is That The Shirt You're Wearing?" by Kristen Hansen Brakeman. Published in 2017 by Tidal Press, this memoir collects amusing and insightful personal essays from the author's life. A semifinalist for the 2018 Thurber Prize for American Humor, it incorporates journal entries written by Brakeman over the course of two summers.

Offering a glimpse into the average American family, "Is That The Shirt You're Wearing?" follows an author's journey of living in the moment. The book humorously explores a wide variety of topics, from the stress of selling Girl Scout Cookies to the joy of adopting a dog. Outside her memoir, Brakeman has also written pieces for ScaryMommy and The New York Times.

Last but not least, at #6 is "Just Tell Me What to Say" by Betsy Brown Braun. First published in 2008, this book provides no-nonsense guidance for parents looking to raise children with skill and confidence. A mother and grandmother with extensive experience in child development and behavior, this author outlines strategies for navigating tricky topics like communication, eating habits, and discipline.

A mother and grandmother with extensive experience in child development and behavior, this author outlines strategies for navigating tricky topics like communication, eating habits, and discipline.

Following the success of her first book, Betsy Brown Braun released a second one in 2010 entitled "You're Not The Boss Of Me," which is geared toward raising well-adjusted children between the ages of four and twelve. Elsewhere, she has offered her expertise on parenting in numerous articles, appearing in outlets such as Good Housekeeping and Woman's Day.