So this is a work in progress, but I thought I’d share my first draft of my Parenting Book List. Please let me know your thoughts. Are there categories or books that I’ve left off? Thanks!
Overall
The Whole Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child’s Developing Mind by Siegel and Bryson (2012)
Between Parent and Child: The Bestselling Classic That Revolutionized Parent-Child Communication by Ginott (updated 2003)
Nurture Shock: New Thinking About Children by Bronson and Merryman (2011)
How Children Succeed: Grit, Curiosity and the Hidden Power of Character by Tough (2013)
Play
Playful Parenting by Cohen (2002)
The Power of Parent-Child Play by Sargent (2003)
Early Learning
The Power of Play: Learning What Comes Naturally by Elkind (2007)
Einstein Never Used Flashcards: How Our Children Really Learn and Why They Need to Play More and Memorize Less by Golinkoff, Hirsh-Pasek and Eyer (2004)
Mind in the Making:The Seven Essential Life Skills Every Child Needs by Galinsky (2010)
You Are Your Child’s First Teacher, Third Edition: Encouraging Your Child’s Natural Development from Birth to Age Six by Dancy (updated 2012)
Positive Discipline
Positive Discipline by Nelsen (2006)
How to Talk so Kids Will Listen and Listen so Kids Will Talk by Faber and Mazlish (updated 2012)
Parenting with Love and Logic by Cline and Fay (updated 2006)
Easy to Love, Difficult to Discipline by Bailey (2001)
The Discipline Book by Sears and Sears (1995) – best discipline book for parents with children under 3 years old
Calm Parenting
Screamfree Parenting: A Revolutionary Approach to Raising Your Kids by Keeping Your Cool by Runkel (2008)
Simplicity Parenting: Using the Extraordinary Power of Less to Raise Calmer, Happier, More Secure Kids by Payne and Ross (2010)
Peaceful Parents, Peaceful Kids: Practical Ways to Create a Calm and Happy Home by Drew (2000)
Parenting as a Couple
Partnership Parenting: How Men and Women Parent Differently by Pruett (2009)
Screamfree Marriage by Runkel (2011)
Friendships
Focusing on Peers: The importance of Relationships in the Early Years by Wittmer (2008)
The Friendship Factor: Helping Our Children Navigate Their Social World and Why It Matters for Their Success by Rubin (2003)
The Unwritten Rules of Friendship: Simple Strategies to Help Your Child Make Friends by Elman and Kennedy-Moore (2003)
Social Skills
Raise Your Child’s Social IQ: Stepping Stones to People Skills for Kids by Cohen (2000)
Siblings
Siblings Without Rivalry by Faber and Mazlish (2012 updated)
The Birth Order Book: Why You Are the Way You Are by Leman (2009)
Screentime and Technology
Screentime: How Electronic Media from Baby Videos to Educational Software Affects Your Young Child by Guernsey (2012)
The Big Disconnect: Protecting Childhood and Family Relationships in the Digital Age by Steiner-Adair (2013)
Overindulgence
Too Much of a Good Thing: Raising Children of Character in an Indulgent Age by Kindlon (2003)
How to Unspoil Your Child Fast by Bromfield (2010)
Raising Respectful Children in a Disrespectful World by Rigby (2013)
Self Esteem and Resiliency
The Optomistic Child by Seligman (2007)
Your Child’s Self Esteem by Briggs (1988) a classic
Raising Happiness: 10 Simple Steps for More Joyful Kids and Happier Parents by Carter (2011)
Boys and Girls
Boys and Girls Learn Differently: A Guide for Teachers and Parents by Gurian (updated 2010)
Why Gender Matters: What Parents and Teachers Need to Know About the Emerging Science of Sex Differences by Sax (2006)
Mealtimes and Eating
Child of Mine by Satter (updated 2000)
Dr. Paula’s Guide to Good Nutrition for Babies, Toddlers and Preschoolers by Elbirt (2001)
The Picky Eating Solution by Kennedy (2013)
Sleep
Sleepless in America: Practical Strategies to Help Your Family Get the Sleep It Deserves by Kurcinka (2007)
Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child by Weissbluth (1999) – a classic
Sleeping Thru the Night by Mindell (updated 2005)
Only Child
The Future of Your Only Child: How to Guide Your Child to a Happy and Successful Life by Pickhardt (2008)
The Seven Common Sins of Parenting an Only Child by White (2004)
Shyness
The Shyness Breakthrough by Carducci (2003)
The Shy Child: Helping Children Triumph over Shyness by Swallow (2000)
Strong Willed/Spirited
Raising Your Spirited Child by Kurcinka (2006)
Setting Limits with Your Strong Willed Child by MacKenzie (2013, 2nd edition)
Motivation
Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Dweck (2007)
Sensory Integration
The Out of Sync Child by Kranowitz (updated 2006) a classic
Sensational Kids: Hope and Help for Children with Sensory Processing Disorder by Miller (2007)
Parenting by Dr. Rene 