You may be spending time resting during the end of your pregnancy or trying to find a way to decompress while baby sleeps—in any scenario, picking up a book is a great option. With no shortage of parenting books out there, it can be hard to choose the one you want to read! There are books for laid-back parents, old-fashioned parents, parents with anxiety, new parents, parents over 40, and so much more. To help you with your book search, I’ve chosen six books that I love and feel can be helpful for any parent, no matter your parenting style or views.
So pick up one of these books, enjoy your relaxation time, and learn a little along the way.
Bringing Up Bébé: One American Mother Discovers the Wisdom of French Parenting by Pamela Druckerman
French parenting has been a topic of discussion for a long time. Americans often look at French children in awe as they behave so well and always say please and thank you. So how do they do it? Bringing Up Bébé gives a bit of insight into the way French parents raise their children. You will learn tips on how to be hands-on without being smothering, instill the importance of manners, and get your kids to eat different types of food.
Belly Laughs: The Naked Truth about Pregnancy and Childbirth by Jenny McCarthy
This book is perfect for you if you feel like you need a laugh. Jenny McCarthy doesn’t hold anything back in this book, discussing all the changes women go through during pregnancy and childbirth—the good, the bad, and the not-so-pretty. Each page is sure to make you laugh, and the quick read will have you feeling understood and ready for this new life.
Sh*tty Mom: The Parenting Guide For the Rest of Us, by Laurie Kilmartin, Karen Moline, Alicia Ybarbo, and Mary Ann Zoellner
This book is so real for the millennial parent. Instead of covering the basics like how to get your child to learn and be polite to strangers, it goes a bit deeper, focusing on the things a modern parent may go through. It’s written by four talented and award-winning writers and journalists who make the world of parenting seem funny. Expect chapters like “How to Sleep Until Nine A.M. Every Weekend,” “Someone Stole Your Baby Name,” and “Oh, You Just Had an Epic Meltdown.”
Stuff Every Mom Should Know by Heather Gibbs Flett and Witney Moss
This book is written by two mothers who have included everything a new mom needs to know. Find everything from how to swaddle your baby to the best comebacks for when you receive parenting advice you didn’t ask for. Plus: it’s pocket-sized, so throw it into your diaper bag and reference it no matter where you are.
Mind in the Making by Ellen Galinsky
This one is focused on life skills and is a great read for new parents and experienced parents alike. It emphasizes social and thinking skills, proving that a well-rounded child is more than just how smart they are academically.
The Five Love Languages for Children by Chapman, Campbell & Campbell
Love languages are critical when it comes to the way your child expresses and reacts to emotion. But they can be tricky, too—there are five different love languages, and sometimes, it can be hard to pinpoint which one your child falls into. This book explains each of the languages in detail and helps you understand your child. Finding their love language is a great step in bonding with your child, whether they are newborns or teenagers.
