Parenting Books That Save The Day!

So sure, it is easy for me to say “seek out Parenting & Families books” and “websites” and “information” to answer your relevant parenting and step parenting questions. But there is so much out there, where on earth do you start? Every author says he or she is the quintessential expert in their field, but after all that I have read; let me tell you… even expertise is subjective. What about all those five hundred page novels that are so tedious you fall asleep before getting three pages in and don’t get a thing out of. I feel you because I’ve been there! We don’t have time to waste READING about parenting when we need to BE parenting (or doing laundry, dishes, or any of a hundred other things)!

Still though, I am the mom who refers to my resources every step of the way as the children grow. I had parenting books on babies so worn out that I was not even able to lend them away, I simply had to buy my friends a new one! As a busy mom of five I understand the necessity of information at your fingertips. Here are some of the informational books that live on my bookshelves for easy access. They have seen me through many a tribulation!

Caring for Your Baby and Young Child served me so well as the children were infants and toddlers. The easy reference breakdown made it simple for me to concentrate on the age that was most pertinent. The glossary of illness kept me from running to the doctor unnecessarily and the summary developmental milestones at the end of each category helped me sleep easier knowing my children were developing as they should.

Raising Children Who Think for Themselves is an excellent read. This is the type of parenting book that can make the distinction between raising your child or simply shuttling them to adulthood. It does breakdown situationally which makes for easy reference, but this is a book worth reading cover to cover. Using some of the techniques in the book have really made a difference in the way my children think about and react to situations. Helping them to think for themselves is what we want to achieve as parents most. This is a MUST HAVE on my bookshelf.





How To Say It To Girls was one of my first Amazon.com purchases. My girls were coming into a new stage in their lives and I could tangibly feel that it was becoming especially important to say the right things and answer the right questions. I have literally run to the bathroom, trying not to hyperventilate and flipped to the situation I needed at the time only to find some direction and the ability to calm down and deal with my girls calmly. This parenting book has a lot of common sense advice, but it’s good to read it and have it reinforced for when the situations actually arise.





How To Say It To Boys is actually the next book I am buying. My sons are younger and up until recently have accepted most everything easily. As they are getting older though I can sense the need to respond to them more fully and I believe this book will do well to help me respond to their needs more specifically.

Each of these books has a great advantage… easy age/situational reference pages. No spending three hours reading psychobabble, just matter of fact age appropriate advice and examples. Let me point out that parenting skills are universal to your birth and step children. When you learn how to best handle parenting situations it goes without saying that they serve you well in all your parental roles.

Please share any books or reference material you have found to help you through your parental challenges. Use the “Contact Us” form and let me know, I’m always looking for more knowledge and helpful information.

Return from Parenting Books to Blended Family Parenting