I don’t know about you, but I most certainly didn’t become a parenting expert when my oldest child was born. And, of course, the moment I started to understand what I was doing with a newborn, she outgrew that phase. Somehow, that keeps happening with every subsequent parenting stage! As a result, I read a lot of books — here are some of my favorites for other moms and dads seeking to parent well this year and beyond.
The Whole-Brain Child
The Whole-Brain Child12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child’s Developing Mind
Authors: Dan J. Siegel, M.D. and Tina Payne Bryson, Ph.D., Published: 2012, Focus: birth through 12 years
Learn how to build healthy emotional and intellectual development practices so your children can lead balanced, meaningful and connected lives. The authors explain in a clear and understandable way the science of how a child’s brain is wired and how it matures.
Decoding Boys
Decoding BoysNew Science Behind the Subtle Art of Raising Sons
Author: Cara Natterson, M.D., Published: 2021, Focus: boys in elementary through high school
Puberty begins in boys long before any visible signs appear, and that can cause confusion about their changing temperaments, for the boys and their parents alike. Natterson explains how modern culture mixes badly with male adolescent biology and then offers science, strategies, scripts and tips for getting it right. This book aims to help parents raise sons who are safe, healthy, resilient and emotionally secure.
Queen Bees and Wannabes, 3rd Edition
Queen Bees and Wannabes, 3rd EditionHelping Your Daughter Survive Cliques, Gossip, Boys, and the New Realities of Girl World
Author: Rosalind Wiseman, Published: 2016, Focus: girls in middle school through college
Yes, this is the book that inspired the movie Mean Girls, but it is still powerful and relevant today. Wiseman has spent years listening to girls talk about the powerful role cliques play in their lives. She takes readers into “Girl World” to analyze teasing, gossip, reputations and more, and she describes how cliques play a role in every situation. Wiseman equips parents with tools to help your daughter make smart choices and empower her during a tumultuous time of life.
How to Raise an Adult
How to Raise an AdultBreak Free of the Overparenting Trap and Prepare Your Kid for Success
Author: Julie Lythcott-Haims, Published: 2016, Focus: all ages
Drawing on extensive research; conversations with college admissions officers, educators and employers; and the author’s insights as a mother and student dean, Lythcott-Haims highlights the ways in which over-parenting harms both children and their parents. Gain practical strategies to allow children to make their own mistakes and develop the resilience and resourcefulness necessary for success. Parents of toddlers through 20-somethings will find this book helpful in ensuring children can take charge of their own lives with competence and confidence.
Are My Kids on Track?
Are My Kids on Track?The 12 Emotional, Social, and Spiritual Milestones Your Child Needs to Reach
Authors: Sissy Goff, David Thomas and Melissa Trevathan, Published: 2017, Focus: birth to adulthood
A child’s physical and intellectual development is carefully tracked and charted from birth to adulthood, but what about their social and emotional growth? The authors identify and offer measurements for key social and emotional milestones, plus they offer practical ways to guide kids through common stumbling blocks. Along the way, they pinpoint differences in the ways boys and girls develop socially and emotionally so you can help your child flourish as an individual.
Editor’s note: Emiley Bainbridge is MetroFamily’s editorial assistant. She’s married to Russ and the mom of Olivia and Nicholas. She enjoys reading, musical theater and dance parties. Get more of Emiley’s seasonal kid book recommendations below.
