Recommended Parenting Books

The following are recommended parenting books by topic. While by no means a complete listing all of all the wonderful books that have ever been written, it does include our favorite “oldies, but goodies” as well as newer publications that delve into the issues relevant to today’s society.

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Read reviews of our top parenting book picks.  Top Pick Book Review = a top pick

Adolescence/Teen Years Fathers Self-Esteem
Adoption Fears
Foster Parents
Sleep

<view our Recommended Books for Children

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Adolescence/Teen Years

Bradley, Michael J., Yes, Your Teen is Crazy!: Loving Your Kid Without Losing Your MindTop Pick Book Review

Clemes, Harris and Raynold Bean, How to Raise Teenagers’ Self-Esteem 

Covey, Sean, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens: The Ultimate Teenage Success Guide

Damour, Lisa, Untangled: Guiding Teenage Girls Through the Seven Transitions into Adulthood

Elium, Don & Jeanne, Raising a Teenager: Parents and the Nurturing of a Responsible Teen

Elkind, David,Parenting Your Teenager and All Grown Up And No Place To Go: Teenagers In Crisis

Faber, Adele and Elaine Mazlish, How to Talk So Teens Will Listen and Listen So Teens Will Talk

Feinstein, Sheryl and Eric Jensen, Secrets of the Teenage Brain: Research-Based Strategies for Reaching and Teaching Today’s Adolescents

Garcia, Renee Bradford and Susan Galvin, Don’t Look at Me in that Tone of Voice: Tween Discipline for Busy Parents

Giannetti & Sagarese, The Rollercoaster Years

Ginsburg, Kenneth, But I’m Almost 13! : Raising a Responsible Adolescent

Gurian, Michael, A Fine Young Man: What Parents, Mentors, and Educators Can Do to Shape Adolescent Boys into Exceptional Men

Hersch, Patricia, A Tribe Apart: A Journey into the Heart of American Adolescence

Jensen, Frances, The Teenage Brain: A Neuroscientist’s Survival Guide to Raising Adolescents and Young Adults

Mosatche, Harriet and Karen Unger, Too Old for This, Too Young for That!: Your Survival Guide for the Middle School Years

Reagan, Laura Lyles, How to Raise Respectful Parents: Better Communication for Teen and Parent Relationships

Reynolds, Eliza and Sil, Mothering and Daughtering: Keeping Your Bond Strong Through the Teen Years

Riera, Michael, Uncommon Sense for Parents with Teenagers and Staying Connected To Your Teenager: How To Keep Them Talking To You And How To Hear What They’re Really Saying

Ross, Julie A., How to Hug a Porcupine: Negotiating the Prickly Points of the Tween Years

Salerno, Jennifer, Teen Speak: A How-To Guide for Real Talks with Teens about Sex, Drugs and Other Risky Behaviors

Shatkin, Jess, Born to Be Wild: Why Teens Take Risks, and How We Can Help Keep Them Safe

Steinberg, Laurence, Crossing Paths and You and Your Adolescent: The Essential Guide for Ages 10-25 and Age of Opportunity: Lessons from the New Science of Adolescence

Taffel, Ron, The Second Family: Dealing with Peer Power, Pop Culture, the Wall of Silence — and Other Challenges of Raising Today’s Teens

Walsh, David, Why Do They Act That Way?: A Survival Guide to the Adolescent Brain for You and Your Teen

Wolf, Anthony, Get Out of My Life, but First Could You Drive Me & Cheryl to the Mall

Youngs, Bettie, Safeguarding Your Teenagers from the Dragons of Life: A Parent’s Guide to the Adolescent Years

For teens to read:
Bradley, Michael, Yes, Your Parents Are Crazy!: A Teen Survival Guide

Van Dijk, Sheri, Surviving the Emotional Roller Coaster and Don’t Let Your Emotions Run Your Life for Teens

A few of our favorites:

Yes Your Teen is Crazy by Michael Bradley The Roller Coaster Years by Sagarese and GiannettiBut I'm Almost 13 by Kenneth GinsburgToo Old for This, Too Young for That by Harriet Mosatche and Karen Unger Uncommon Sense for Parents With Teenagers by Michael Riera

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Adoption

Eldridge, Sherri, Twenty Things Adopted Kids Wish Their Adoptive Parents Knew and Twenty Things Adoptive Parents Need to Succeed..Discover the Unique Need of Your Adopted Child and Become the Best Parent You Can

Elliot, Amber, Why Can’t My Child Behave?: Empathic Parenting Strategies that Work for Adoptive and Foster Families

Fahlberg, Vera, A Child’s Journey Through Placement

Forbes, Heather, Dare to Love: The Art of Merging Science and Love Into Parenting Children with Difficult Behaviors

Forbes, Heather, Beyond Consequences, Logic and Control Volume 1 and Beyond Consequences, Logic, & Control, Volume 2

Keck, Gregory and Regina Kupecky, Adopting the Hurt Child: Hope for Families with Special-Needs Kids

Krementz, Jill, How It Feels to Be Adopted

MacLeod, Jean and Sheena Macrae, Adoption Parenting: Creating a Toolbox, Building Connections

Maskew, Trish, Our Own: Adopting and Parenting the Older Child

Melina, Lois, Making Sense of Adoption: A Parent’s Guide and Raising Adopted Children, Revised Edition: Practical Reassuring Advice for Every Adoptive Parent

Magazine: Adoptive Families Magazine

Purvis, Karen, David Cross and Wendy Sunshine, The Connected Child: Bringing Hope & Healing to Your Adoptive Family 

One of our favorites:

a Child's Journey Through Placement by Vera Fahlberg

<view Recommended Children’s Books about Adoption

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ADHD

Barkley, Russell, Taking Charge of ADHD, Third Edition: The Complete, Authoritative Guide for Parents

Jeffrey Freed and Laurie Parsons, Right-Brained Children in a Left-Brained World: Unlocking the Potential of Your ADD Child

Monastra, Vincent, Parenting Children with ADHD: 10 Lessons That Medicine Cannot Teach

Hallowell, Edward and John Ratey, Driven to Distraction: Recognizing and Coping with Attention Deficit Disorder and Delivered from Distraction: Getting the Most out of Life with Attention Deficit Disorder

Nadeau, Littman & Quinn, Understanding Girls With AD/HD

Phelan, Thomas W. All About ADHD: A Family Resource for Helping Your Child Succeed with ADHD

Richey, Mary Anne and James Forgan, Raising Boys With ADHD: Secrets for Parenting Healthy, Happy Sons and Raising Girls with ADHD: Secrets for Parenting Healthy, Happy Daughters

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Adult Children (parenting)

Chapman, Gary and Ross Campbell, How to Really Love Your Adult Child: Building a Healthy Relationship in a Changing World

Devonish, Melody, How To Stop Enabling Your Adult Children: Practical steps to use boundaries and get your power back as you stop enabling

Greer, Ronald, Now That They Are Grown: Successfully Parenting Your Adult Children

Isay, Jane, Walking on Eggshells: Navigating the Delicate Relationship Between Adult Children and Parents

Jay, Meg, The Defining Decade: Why Your Twenties Matter–And How to Make the Most of Them Now

Nemzoff, Ruth, Don’t Bite Your Tongue: How to Foster Rewarding Relationships with your Adult Children and Don’t Roll Your Eyes: Making In-Laws into Family

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Anger

Borcherdt, Bill, You Can Control Your Anger!: 21 Ways to Do It

Greene, Ross, The Explosive Child: A New Approach for Understanding and Parenting Easily Frustrated, Chronically Inflexible ChildrenTop Pick Book Review

Hyland, Terry L. and Jerry Davis, Angry Kids, Frustrated Parents: Practical Ways to Prevent and Reduce Aggression in Your Children

Lerner, Harriet Goldhor, The Dance of Anger: A Woman’s Guide to Changing the Patterns of Intimate Relationships

McKay, Matthew, When Anger Hurts: Quieting the Storm Within

Samalin, Nancy, Love and Anger: The Parental Dilemma

Schiraldi, Glenn and Melissa Hallmark Kerr, The Anger Management Sourcebook

Siegel, Daniel, The Whole-Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child’s Developing MindTop Pick Book Review

Tavris, Carol, Anger: The Misunderstood Emotion

Verdick, Elizabeth and Marjorie Lisovskis, How to Take the Grrrr Out of Anger

A few of our favorites:

The Explosive Child by Ross Greene  The Dance of Anger by Harriet Lerner The Whole-Brain Child by Dan Siegel

<view Recommended Children’s Books about Anger

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Babies

Acredolo, Linda and Susan Goodwyn,  Baby Signs: How to Talk with Your Baby Before Your Baby Can Talk

American Academy of Pediatrics, Caring for Your Baby and Young Child: Birth to Age 5

Borgenicht, Louis and Joe Borgenicht, The Baby Owner’s Manual: Operating Instructions, Trouble-Shooting Tips, and Advice on First-Year Maintenance

Brazelton, T. Berry, and Joshua Sparrow, Touchpoints-Birth to Three

Brown, Ari and Denise Fields, Baby 411: Clear Answers & Smart Advice For Your Baby’s First Year

Buchanan, Andrea, Mother Shock: Loving Every (Other) Minute of It

Cole, Joanna, The New Baby at Your House

Dix, Carole, New Mother Syndrome

Eanes, Rebecca, The Newbie’s Guide to Positive Parenting

Eisenberg, Murkoff & Hathoway, What to Expect the First Year

Elliot, Lise, What’s Going on in There? How the Brain and Mind Develop in the First Five Years of Life

Flais, Shelly Vaziri, Raising Twins: From Pregnancy to Preschool

Gerber, Magda and Allison Johnson, Your Self-Confident Baby: How to Encourage Your Child’s Natural Abilities — From the Very Start

Glusman, Mariana and Marta Kilner, I Love You Like Sunshine: How Everyday Play and Bedtime Stories Grow Love, Connections, and Brainpower

Hogg, Tracy, The Baby Whisperer Solves All Your Problems: Sleeping, Feeding, and Behavior–Beyond the Basics from Infancy Through Toddlerhood

Karp, Harvey, The Happiest Baby on the Block

Kleiman, Karen & Raskin, This Isn’t What I Expected: Overcoming Postpartum Depression

Leach, Penelope, Your Baby and Child

Medina, John, Brain Rules for Baby: How to Raise a Smart and Happy Child from Zero to Five

Murkoff, Heidi and Sandee Hathaway, What to Expect the First Year

Nicholson, Barbara, Attached at the Heart: 8 Proven Parenting Principles for Raising Connected and Compassionate Children

Odes, Rebecca and Ceridwen Morris, From the Hips: A Comprehensive, Open-Minded, Uncensored, Totally Honest Guide to Pregnancy, Birth, and Becoming a Parent

Rowley, Barbara, Baby Days: Activities, Ideas, and Games for Enjoying Daily Life with a Child Under Three

Sears, William and Martha Sears, The Fussy Baby Book: Parenting Your High-Need Child From Birth to Age Five

Vanderijt, Hetty and Frans Plooij, The Wonder Weeks: How to Stimulate Your Baby’s Mental Development and Help Him Turn His 10 Predictable, Great, Fussy Phases Into Magical Leaps Forward

Wagner, Hilory, And Baby Makes Four: Welcoming a Second Child into the Family

White, Burton, New First Three Years of Life

A few of our favorites:

What to Expect the First Year by Eisenber, Markoff and Hathoway Brain rules for Baby by John Medina From the Hips: A Comprehensive , Open-Minded, Uncensored, Totally Honest Guide to Pregnancy, Birth and Becoming a Parent by Rebecca Odes and Ceridwen Morris

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Boys

Allison, Janet, Boys Alive! Bring Out Their Best! Why ‘boys will be boys’ and how you can guide them to be their best at home and at school.

Biddulph, Steve, Raising Boys: Why Boys Are Different – and How to Help Them Become Happy and Well-Balanced Men

Gurian, Michael, A Fine Young Man: What Parents, Mentors, and Educators Can Do to Shape Adolescent Boys into Exceptional Men  and The Wonder of Boys

Hawkes, Tim, Ten Conversations You Must Have with Your Son: Preparing Your Son for a Happy and Successful Life

Kindlon, Dan and Michael Thompson, Raising Cain: Protecting the Emotional Life of Boys

Leman, Kevin, What a Difference a Mom Makes: The Indelible Imprint a Mom Leaves on Her Son’s Life

Panettieri, Gina and Philip Hall, The Single Mother’s Guide to Raising Remarkable Boys

Pollack, William, Real Boys: Rescuing Our Sons from the Myths of Boyhood

Sax, Leonard, Boys Adrift: The Five Factors Driving the Growing Epidemic of Unmotivated Boys and Underachieving Young Men

Terdal, Leif and Patricia Kennedy, Raising Sons Without Fathers: A Woman’s Guide to Parenting Strong, Successful Boys

Thompson, Michael and Teresa Barker, It’s a Boy!: Your Son’s Development from Birth to Age 18

A couple of our favorites:

The Wonder of Boys by Michael Gurian Real Boys: Rescuing Our Sons from the Myths of Boyhood by William Pollack

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Bullying/Cyberbullying/Teasing

For Parents:

Bolton, Jose, and Stan Graeve, No Room for Bullies: From the Classroom to Cyberspace Teaching Respect, Stopping Abuse, and Rewarding Kindness

Bullard, Sara. Starting Small: Teaching Tolerance in Preschool and the Early Grades

Coloroso, Barbara, The Bully, the Bullied, and the Bystander: From Preschool to HighSchool–How Parents and Teachers Can Help Break the Cycle 

Frankel, Fred, Good Friends Are Hard to Find

Freedman, Judy, Easing the Teasing: Helping Your Child Cope with Name-Calling, Ridicule, and Verbal Bullying

Fried & Fried, Bullies & Victims: Helping Your Children Through the Schoolyard Battlefield

Giannetti & Sagarese, Cliques: Eight Steps to Help Your Child Survive the Social Jungle

McCoy, Elin, What to Do… When Kids Are Mean to Your Child

McNamara, Barry, Dealing with Bullies 

Miller, Cindy and Cynthia Lowen, The Essential Guide to Bullying: Prevention And Intervention

Parks, Peggy, Cyberbullying

Rogers, Vanessa, Cyberbullying: Activities to Help Children and Teens to Stay Safe in a Texting, Twittering, Social Networking World

Ross, Dorothea, Childhood Bullying, Teasing, and Violence: What School Personnel, Other Professionals, and Parents Can Do

Simmons, Rachel, Odd Girl Out: The Hidden Culture of Aggression in Girls

Sprung, Barbara, The Anti-Bullying and Teasing Book: For Preschool Classrooms

Stern-LaRosa Caryl and Ellen Hofheimer-Bettman, Hate Hurts: How Children Learn And Unlearn Prejudice

For Children:

Bosch, Carl, Bully on the Bus 

Carlson, Nancy, How to Lose All Your Friends 

Cohen-Posey, Kate, How to Handle Bullies, Teasers and Other Meanies: A Book That Takes the Nuisance Out of Name Calling and Other Nonsense

Cooper, Scott, Speak Up and Get Along!: Learn the Mighty Might, Thought Chop, and More Tools to Make Friends, Stop Teasing, and Feel Good About Yourself

Kellogg, Steven, Best Friends

Romain, Trevor, Bullies Are a Pain in the Brain  and Cliques, Phonies, & Other Baloney 

For Upper Elementary School Age Children and Older:

Guillian, Charlotte, Coping with Bullying

Raatma, Lucia, Cyberbullying

Schwartz, Heather, Cyberbullying

A few of our favorites:

How to Handle Bullies, Teasers and Other Meanies: A Book that Takes the Nuisance Out of Name Calling and Other Nonsense by Kate Cohen-Posey The Bully, the Bullied and the Bystander by Barbara Coloroso Bullies and Victims: Helping Your Children Through the Schoolyard Battlefield by Fried and Fried Cliques: Eight Steps to Help Yhild Survive the Social Jungle by Giannetti and Sagarese

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Child Development

Ames, Louise Bates, and Frances Ilg, Your One-Year-Old: The Fun-Loving, Fussy 12-To 24-Month-Old and Your Two-Year-Old: Terrible or Tender and Your Three-Year-Old: Friend or Enemy . . . .Top Pick Book Review

Brazelton, T. Berry, Touchpoints-Birth to Three

Caplan, Fank and Theresa Caplan, The First Twelve Months of Life: Your Baby’s Growth Month by Month and The Early Childhood Years: The 2 to 6 Year Old

Committee on Integrating the Science of Early Childhood Development, From Neurons to Neighborhoods: The Science of Early Childhood Development

Elkind, David,  A Sympathetic Understanding of the Child: Birth to Sixteen

Fraiberg, Selma, The Magic Years: Understanding and Handling the Problems of Early Childhood

Gessell, Arnold, and Frances Ilg, The Child from Five to TenTop Pick Book Review

Hewitt, Deborah, So This Is Normal Too?

Ilg, Frances and Louise Bates Ames, Child Behavior: The Classic Child Care Manual from the Gesell Institute of Human DevelopmentTop Pick Book Review

Medina, John, Brain Rules for Baby: How to Raise a Smart and Happy Child from Zero to Five

Siegel, Daniel, The Whole-Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child’s Developing MindTop Pick Book Review

A few of our favorites:

Your One Year Old by Ames, Ilg and Baker Your Two Year Old by Ilg Your Three Year Old by Ilg Your Four Year Old by Ilg Your Five Year Old by Ilg Your Six Year Old Your Seven Year Old Your Eight Year Old by Ilg Your Nine Year Old by Ilg Your Ten to Fourteen Year Old by Ilg

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Communication

Bloch, Douglas, The Power of Positive Talk: Words to Help Every Child Succeed

Faber, Adele and Elaine Mazlish, How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk and Liberated Parents, Liberated Children: Your Guide to a Happier FamilyTop Pick Book Review

Faber, Joanna, How to Talk so Little Kids Will Listen: A Survival Guide to Life with Children Ages 2-7

Gordon, Thomas, Parent Effectiveness Training: The Proven Program for Raising Responsible Children

Hart, Sura and Victoria Kindle Hodson, Respectful Parents, Respectful Kids: 7 Keys to Turn Family Conflict into Cooperation

Medhus, Eliza, Hearing Is Believing: How Words Can Make or Break Our Kids

Nichols, Michael, Stop Arguing with Your Kids: How to Win the Battle of Wills by Making Your Children Feel Heard and The Lost Art of Listening: How Learning to Listen Can Improve Relationships

Schwartz, Joel,  Noses are Red, How to Nurture your Child’s Sense of Humor

Tannen, Deborah, You’re Wearing That?: Understanding Mothers and Daughters in Conversation and I Only Say This Because I Love You: How the Way We Talk Can Make or Break Family Relationships Throughout Our Lives

A few of our favorites:

The Power of Positive Talk: Words to Help Every Child Succeed by Douglas Bloch How to Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish Hearing is Believing: How Words Can Make or Break Our Kids by Elisa Medhus

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Culture

Benson, Peter, All Kids Are Our Kids: What Communities Must Do to Raise Caring and Responsible Children and Adolescents

Clinton, Hillary Rodham, It Takes a Village

Elkind, David, The Hurried Child: Growing Up Too Fast Too Soon

Elkind, David, Ties That Stress: The New Family Imbalance

Gordon, Sol, Raising a Child Responsibly in a Sexually Permissive World

Hochschild & Machung, The Second Shift: Working Families and the Revolution at Home

Leach, Penelope, Children First: What Society Must Do–and is Not Doing–for Children Today

Pipher, Mary, The Shelter of Each Other

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Death/Loss

Recommended Books for Children Ages 3-8

Boulden, J&J, Saying Goodbye

Britain, Lory, My Grandma Died: A Child’s Story About Death and Loss

Heegaard, M., When Someone Very Special Dies: Children Can Learn to Cope with Grief

Holmes, M., Sam’s Dad Died: A Child’s Book of Hope Through Grief and Molly’s Mom Died: A Child’s Book of Hope Through Grief

Lanton, S., Daddy’s Chair (General Jewish Interest)

Limb, S., Come Back, Come Back Grandma

Mellonie, B. & Ingpen, R., Lifetimes: The Beautiful Way to Explain Death to Children

Old, W., Stacy Had a Little Sister 

Rogers, F., When a Pet Dies

Thornton, T., Grandpa’s Chair

Varley, S., Badger’s Parting Gifts

Vigna, J., Saying Goodbye to Daddy

Viorst, J., The Tenth Good Thing About Barney

<view additional Recommended Children’s Books about Loss and Grieving

 

Recommended Books for children Ages 9-12

Alexander, S., Nadia the Willful 

Bennett, Cherie, Searching for David’s Heart: A Christmas Story

Buscaglia, L., The Fall of Freddie the Leaf: A Story of Life for All Ages

Carrick, C., The Accident

Cohn, J., I Had a Friend Named Peter: Talking to Children About the Death of a Friend

Krementz, Jill, How It Feels When a Parent Dies

LeShan, Eda, Learning to Say Good-By: When a Child’s Parent Dies

Richter, E., Losing Someone You Love: When a Brother or Sister Dies

Rofes, E., The Kid’s Book About Death and Dying

Sims, A., Am I Still a Sister?

 

Recommended Books for Teens Ages 13 and Over

Dower, L., I Will Remember You: What to Do When Someone You Love Dies – A Guidebook Through Grief for Teens

Gootman, M., When a Friend Dies: A Book for Teens About Grieving & Healing

Grollman, E., Straight Talk about Death for Teenagers: How to Cope with Losing Someone You Love

Krementz, J., How It Feels When a Parent Dies

LeShan, Eda,Learning to Say Good-By: When a Child’s Parent Dies

Richter, E., Losing Someone You Love: When a Brother or Sister Dies

Traisman, Enid Samuel, Fire in My Heart, Ice in My Veins: A Journal for Teenagers Experiencing a Loss

Wolfelt, Alan, Healing Your Grieving Heart for Teens: 100 Practical Ideas  and The Healing Your Grieving Heart Journal for Teens 

 

Recommended Books for Parents and Professionals

Alderman, Linda, Why Did Daddy Die?: Helping Children Cope with the Loss of a Parent

Coloroso, Barbara, Parenting with Wit and Wisdom in Times of Chaos and Loss

The Dougy Center, 35 Ways to Help a Grieving Child

Fitzgerald, Helen, The Grieving Child: A Parent’s Guide

and The Grieving Teen: A Guide for Teenagers and Their Friends

Goldman, Linda, Life and Loss: A Guide to Help Grieving Children

Grollman, Earl, Explaining Death to Children

and Talking about Death: A Dialogue between Parent and Child

Huntley, Theresa, Helping Children Grieve: When Someone They Love Dies

Johnson, Joy, Keys: To Helping Children Deal With Death and Grief

Kroen, William, Helping Children Cope with the Loss of a Loved One: A Guide for Grownups

Mellonie, Bryan & Robert Ingpen, Lifetimes: The Beautiful Way to Explain Death to Children

Rogers, Fred, When a Pet Dies

Staudacher, Carol, A Time to Grieve: Meditations for Healing After the Death of a Loved One

Trozzi, Maria, Talking with Children About Loss

Viorst, Judith, Necessary Losses: The Loves, Illusions, Dependencies, and Impossible Expectations That All of Us Have to Give Up in Order to Grow

Wolfelt, Alan D., A Child’s View of Grief: A Guide for Parents, Teachers, and Counselors and Healing The Bereaved Child

Worden, William, Children and Grief: When a Parent Dies

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Discipline/Punishment

For Younger Children (ages one to four years)

Ames, Louise Bates, Raising Good Kids

Arnall, Judy, Discipline Without Distress: 135 tools for raising caring, responsible children without time-out, spanking, punishment or bribery

Clarke, Jean Illsley, Time-In: When Time-Out Doesn’t Work and Connections: The Threads That Strengthen Families

Crary, Elizabeth, Magic Tools for Raising Kids and Without Spanking or Spoiling: A Practical Approach to Toddler and Preschool GuidanceTop Pick Book Review

Eanes, Rebecca, Positive Parenting: An Essential Guide

Faber, Adele and Elaine Mazlish, How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will TalkTop Pick Book Review

Glasser, Howard and Jennifer Easley, Transforming the Difficult Child: The Nurtured Heart Approach

Greene, Ross, The Explosive Child: A New Approach for Understanding and Parenting Easily Frustrated, Chronically Inflexible ChildrenTop Pick Book Review

Hewitt, Deborah, So This Is Normal Too?

Kennedy, Michelle, Tantrums

Kurcinka, Mary Sheedy, Kids, Parents, and Power Struggles: Winning for a LifetimeTop Pick Book Review

Lansbury, Janet, No Bad Kids: Toddler Discipline Without Shame

Ling, Laura and Rebecca Eanes, Positive Parenting in Action: The How-To Guide for Putting Positive Parenting Principles into Action in Early Childhood

Markham, Laura, Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids: How to Stop Yelling and Start Connecting

MacMannis, Don and Debra Manchester MacMannis, Who’s the Boss?: The Win-Win Way to Parent Your Defiant, Strong-Willed Child

Nelson, Jane, Positive Discipline: The First Three Years: From Infant to Toddler–Laying the Foundation for Raising a Capable, Confident Child and Positive Discipline

Pantley, Elizabeth, The No-Cry Discipline Solution: Gentle Ways to Encourage Good Behavior Without Whining, Tantrums, and Tears

Phelan, Thomas, 1-2-3 Magic: Effective Discipline for Children 2-12

Reichlin, Gail and Caroline Winkler, The Pocket Parent

Shapiro, Shauna and Chris White, Mindful Discipline: A Loving Approach to Setting Limits and Raising an Emotionally Intelligent Child

Siegel, Daniel, No-Drama Discipline: The Whole-Brain Way to Calm the Chaos and Nurture Your Child’s Developing Mind

White, Burton, Raising a Happy, Unspoiled Child

Whitham, Cynthia, Win the Whining War & Other Skirmishes: A Family Peace Plan

A few of our favorites:

Without Spanking or Spoiling by Elizabeth Crary The Explosive Child by Ross Greene Kids, Parents and Power Struggles by Mary Sheedy Kurcinka Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids: How to Stop Yelling and Start Connecting by Laura Markham The No-Cry Disci;line Solution: Gentle Ways to Encourage Good Behavior Without Whining, Tantrums and Tears by Elizabeth Pantley

 

For Older Children (ages three or four years and above)

Anderson, Michael and Timothy Johanson, GIST: The Essence of Raising Life-Ready Kids

Bailey, Becky, Easy to Love, Difficult to Discipline: The 7 Basic Skills for Turning Conflict into Cooperation

Budd, Linda, Living with the Active Alert Child: Groundbreaking Strategies for Parents

Clarke, Jean Illsley, Growing Up Again: Parenting Ourselves, Parenting Our Children

Coloroso, Barbara, Kids Are Worth It! Giving Your Child The Gift Of Inner DisciplineTop Pick Book Review

Crary, Elizabeth, Kids Can Cooperate: A Practical Guide to Teaching Problem Solving and Pick Up Your Socks, And Other Skills Growing Children Need!: A Practical Guide to Raising Responsible Children

Edward, Hal, Screamfree Parenting: The Revolutionary Approach to Raising Your Kids by Keeping Your Cool

Gordon, Thomas, Parent Effectiveness Training: The Proven Program for Raising Responsible Children

Greene, Ross, Raising Human Beings: Creating a Collaborative Partnership with Your Child

Hart, Sura and Victoria Kindle Hodson, Respectful Parents, Respectful Kids: 7 Keys to Turn Family Conflict into Cooperation

Kohn, Alfie, Unconditional Parenting: Moving from Rewards and Punishments to Love and Reason

Kurcinka, Mary Sheedy, Kids, Parents, and Power Struggles: Winning for a LifetimeTop Pick Book Review

Leman, Kevin, Making Children Mind without Losing Yours

Mackenzie, Robert, Setting Limits with Your Strong-Willed Child: Eliminating Conflict by Establishing CLEAR, Firm, and Respectful Boundaries

Magg, John,Parenting Without Punishment: Making Problem Behavior Work for You

Medhus, Elisa, Raising Children Who Think for Themselves

Nelsen, Jane, Positive Discipline

Rothenberg, B. Annye, Why Can’t I Be the Boss of Me?

Shapiro, Shauna and Chris White, Mindful Discipline: A Loving Approach to Setting Limits and Raising an Emotionally Intelligent Child

Silberman & Wheelen, How to Discipline Without Feeling Guilty

Steelsmith, Shari, Go to Your Room: Consequences That Teach

Swift, Madeline, Discipline for Life: Getting it Right with Children

Taffel, Ron, When Parents Disagree and What You Can Do About It

Walsh, David, No: Why Kids–of All Ages–Need to Hear It and Ways Parents Can Say It

A few of our favorites:

Growing Up Again by Jean Illsley Clark Kids Are Worth It by Barbara Coloroso Kids Can Cooperate by Elizabeth Crary Kids, Parents and Power Struggles by Mary Sheedy Kurcinka

For Strong-Willed Children

Budd, Linda, Living with the Active Alert Child: Groundbreaking Strategies for Parents

Glasser, Howard and Jennifer Easley, Transforming the Difficult Child: The Nurtured Heart Approach

Greene, Ross, The Explosive Child: A New Approach for Understanding and Parenting Easily Frustrated, Chronically Inflexible ChildrenTop Pick Book Review

Mackenzie, Robert, Setting Limits with Your Strong-Willed Child: Eliminating Conflict by Establishing CLEAR, Firm, and Respectful Boundaries

MacMannis, Don and Debra Manchester MacMannis, Who’s the Boss?: The Win-Win Way to Parent Your Defiant, Strong-Willed Child

Phelan, Thomas, 1-2-3 Magic: Effective Discipline for Children 2-12
Corporal Punishment (Spanking)

Greven, Philip, Spare the Child: The Religious Roots of Punishment and the Psychological Impact of Physical Abuse

Hyman, Irwin, The Case Against Spanking: How to Discipline Your Child Without Hitting

Karr-Morse, Robin & Meredith Wiley, Ghosts from the Nursery: Tracing the Roots of Violence

Miller, Alice, For Your Own Good: Hidden Cruelty in Child-Rearing and the Roots of Violence

Tobias, Cynthia Ulrich, You Can’t Make Me (But I Can Be Persuaded): Strategies for Bringing Out the Best in Your Strong-Willed Child

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Divorce/Blended Families

Beyer, Roberta, and Kent Winchester, Speaking of Divorce: How to Talk with Your Kids and Help Them Cope

Hetherington, E. Mavis and John Kelly, For Better or For Worse: Divorce Reconsidered

Hickey, Elizabeth and Elizabeth Dalton, Healing Hearts: Helping Children and Adults Recover from Divorce

Hutchins, Pamela Fagan, How To Screw Up Your Kids: Blended Families, Blendered Style

Kalter, Neil, Growing Up With Divorce: Helping Your Child Avoid Immediate and Later Emotional Problems

Katz, Rachelle, The Happy Stepmother

Lansky, Vicki, Divorce Book for Parents: Helping Your Children Cope with Divorce and Its Aftermath

Levine, Peter and Maggie Kline, Trauma Through a Child’s Eyes: Awakening the Ordinary Miracle of Healing

Neuman, Gary, Helping Your Kids Cope with Divorce the Sandcastles Way

Paris, Wendy, Splitopia: Dispatches from Today’s Good Divorce and How to Part Well

Pedro-Carroll, Joann, Putting Children First: Proven Parenting Strategies for Helping Children Thrive Through Divorce

Pickhardt, Carl, Keys to Successful Stepfathering

Thomas, Shirley, Parents Are Forever

Teyber, Edward, Helping Children Cope with Divorce

Warshak, Richard, Custody Revolution: Father Custody and the Motherhood Mystique

Wisdom, Susan and Jennifer Green, Stepcoupling: Creating and Sustaining a Strong Marriage in Today’s Blended Family

A couple of our favorites:

Growing up With Divorce: Helpingyour Child Avoid Immediate and Later Emotional Problems by Neal Kalter Helping Your Kids Cope with Divorce the Sandcastles Way by Gary Neuman

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Families

Bradshaw, John, Bradshaw on the Family: A Revolutionary Way of Self Discovery

Clarke, Jean Illsley, Connections: The Threads That Strengthen Families

Coontz, Stephanie, The Way We Never Were: American Families And The Nostalgia Trap and The Way We Really Are: Coming To Terms With America’s Changing Families

Covey, Stephen, 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families

Curran, Delores, Traits of a Healthy Family

Doherty, William, The Intentional Family: Simple Rituals to Strengthen Family Ties

Elkind, David, Ties That Stress: The New Family Imbalance

Feiler, Bruce, The Secrets of Happy Families: Improve Your Mornings, Rethink Family Dinner, Fight Smarter, Go Out and Play, and Much More

Imber-Black & Robers, Rituals for Our Times: Celebrating, Healing, and Changing Our Lives and Our Relationships 

Lerner, Harriet, The Dance of Intimacy

MacMannis, Don and Debra Manchester MacMannis, How’s Your Family Really Doing?: 10 Keys to a Happy Loving Family

McGoldrick, Monica, You Can Go Home Again: Reconnecting with Your Family

Wagner, Hilory, And Baby Makes Four: Welcoming a Second Child into the Family

Wasielewski, Heather, What Families Can Learn from Corporate America

A few of our favorites:

Growing Up Again by Jean Illsley Clark Kids are Worth It by Barbara Coloroso The Secrets of a Happy Family by Bruce Feiler The Dance of Intimacy by Harriet Lerner

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Fathers

Brazelton, Lance, What Daddy Didn’t Know: Letters of a Fatherless Child

Brott, Armin, The Single Father: A Dad’s Guide to Parenting Without a Partner 

Brott, Armin & Jennifer Ash, The Expectant Father: Facts, Tips, and Advice for Dads-to-Be

Glennon, Will, Best Things Fathers Do: Ideas and Advice from Real World Dads

Gill, Libby, Stay-At-Home Dads: The Essential Guide to Creating the New Family

Greenberg, Gary and Jeannie Hayden, Be Prepared: A Practical Guide for New Dads

Kleiman, Karen, The Postpartum Husband: Practical Solutions for living with Postpartum Depression

Lubomirski, HSH Prince Alexi, Princely Advice for a Happy Life

O’Shea, Kevin,and James Windell, The Fatherstyle Advantage: Surefire Techniques Every Parent Can Use to Raise Confident and Caring Kids

Pickhardt, Carl, Keys to Successful Stepfathering 

Pruett, Kyle, Fatherneed: Why Father Care is as Essential as Mother Care for Your Child

Shimberg, Elaine and Michael, The Complete Single Father: Reassuring Answers to Your Most Challenging Situations

Warshak, Richard, Custody Revolution: Father Custody and the Motherhood Mystique

One of our favorites:

Best Things Fathers Do: Ideas and Advice from Real World Dads

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Fears

Chansky, Tamar, Freeing Your Child from Anxiety, Revised and Updated Edition: Practical Strategies to Overcome Fears, Worries, and Phobias and Be Prepared for Life–from Toddlers to Teens

Daniels, Natasha, How to Parent Your Anxious Toddler

Schacter, Robert & Carole McCauley, When Your Child is Afraid

<view Recommended Children’s Books about Fears and Worries

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Foster Parents

Elliot, Amber, Why Can’t My Child Behave?: Empathic Parenting Strategies that Work for Adoptive and Foster Families

Forbes, Heather, Dare to Love: The Art of Merging Science and Love Into Parenting Children with Difficult Behaviors

Temple-Plotz, Stricklett, Baker & Sterba, Practical Tips for Foster Parents

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