Sharing some of my favorite parenting books. Stick around for a FREEBIE!
I can be a voracious reader when I’m passionate about learning something new. No other time in my life, however, have I realized how much I needed to learn than when I became a parent. I’ve pored through so many texts in this wild adventure that I’ve had to narrow down parenting books to a favorite select few to recommend.
Two years ago, early into my Mamasaur-blogging career, I wrote a post about some of the best gentle parenting books I’d read to that point. However, my writing was definitely still in its infancy. Looking back, reading that post now, it’s fair to say the message was muddled.
Best Gentle Parenting Books was less about actual parenting books and more about navigating and integrating trauma work into my life as a parent. And, man, did I still have so much to learn… We’re all about humble growth here now. Nobody’s perfect!
Anyway, here’s a quick run-down list of some of my top favorite parenting books for your edification!
Mamasaur’s Favorite Parenting Books
No Such Thing As Bad Weather by Linda Åkeson McGurk
This is one of my favorite parenting books on the list, for sure. A lot of it is written to feel personable and anecdotal, and it really feels practically applicable and accessible. In this book, the author discusses the merits of more “open-air living” or friluftsliv and hygge, the simple coziness that can be found at home.
Getting outside. Staying active. Exploration and adventures help children learn, become confident and resilient, and promote health and wellness through their formative years. It’s such an edifying read, and I highly recommend it.
Good Inside by Dr. Becky Kennedy
Connection over correction. Or at the very least, connection as the first priority. Good Inside comes down to recognizing your child’s humanity and inherent complex emotional needs. This book provides actionable strategies to build more connection and cooperation within your home.
Still…
As gentle as that all may sound, the approach is authoritative with sturdy leadership and discipline, not permissive, doormat parenting. This book provides empathy and validation for struggling parents as well as their children.
I recommend the author-narrated audiobook. Easy listening!
How to Talk So Little Kids Will Listen by Joanna Faber & Julie King
I grabbed the audiobook of this as well. I love when authors narrate their own publications. It feels like going straight to the source for the information. I found this book insightful, easy to digest, and loved the formatting.
You feel like you’re in attendance of a parenting-support group, hearing scenarios and relatable questions that fellow attendees share. The author thoughtfully and practically addresses each question with actionable advice that’s rife with understanding and compassion.
No Drama Discipline by Tina Payne Bryson, PhD & Daniel J Siegel, MD
Brought to you by the authors of…
The Whole Brain Child
This piece of literature felt empowering and scientifically sound. I appreciate the laymen translation of neuro-cognitive childhood development into something approachable and applicable.
Armed with understanding of how a child’s brain is wired, this book better equips you for strong, sturdy, yet compassionate discipline that helps guide behavior instead of instilling shame. This book teaches repair, conflict resolution, and discipline strategies to foster more unity between you and your kids.
Raising Good Humans by Hunter Clarke-Fields, MSAE
Any fellow reactive parents out there? Parenting books like Raising Good Humans have helped tremendously in tempering my reactivity. We have to model what we want to see our children embody. If we yell, fight, fly off the handle…
So. Will. They.
This book helps you take more mindful control of your parenting instead of stressfully coasting on a disconnected and reactive “auto-pilot”. Especially if you’re trying to break generational cycles in your family, this book has the tools to help.
M is for Mama by Abbie Halberstadt
For other Christian mamas out there, I really enjoyed this book. It’s written by a successful, inspiring Christian mama of TEN kids, and it’s full of advice, anecdotes, and spiritual, scripturally-based encouragement.
It speaks new life into the challenging role of being a parent, especially in a culture with minimal support. Don’t phone it in. Don’t settle for mediocrity. Understand that parenting is something you’ve been called to do. Rise to the occasion.
This book is seriously encouraging when the challenge feels insurmountable.
Out-of-Sync Child by Carol Stock Kranowitz
This was recommended reading from Orson’s occupational therapist, and I’m thankful that I accepted the assignment. If you suspect that your child is in any way neurodivergent or struggles with sensory processing, this is a must read.
It breaks down the different sensory systems, how red flags might manifest, and how to seek support and cope with associated difficulties. An enlightening, even comforting, read that helps struggling parents feel seen and removes shame from a child’s developmental struggles.
Reading it actually had me looking inward as well, recognizing some of my own more subtle sensory differences.
It’s a validating, empathetic read.
(For Funsies) Mamas, Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be A-Holes by Karen Alpert
More of an honorable mention on this list of parenting books than a favorite. Still, if you’re hungry for bite-sized nuggets of irreverent, relatable wisdom, this is a fun read. This mama writes about everything from laundry battles and school pick-up lessons to teaching about racism using Ikea cups.
It’s messy. Verges far more relatable than aspirational, but sometimes, that can be the permission you need for a little self-compassion.
Taking a Page from My Own Book
While many of the recommended parenting books that make my list may seem gentle, the parenting described is more authoritative. Boundaries. Guiding discipline. Recognizing your children’s humanity. NOT overly-gentle permissive parenting. It’s about leading with compassion and empathy for the people you’re working to develop.
It’s playing the long game.
Ironically enough, I’ve found the person whom I need to be more gentle with is myself. Not my kids. So much of my frustration and annoyance I’ve experienced as a parent has been borne out of projection.
Neither grace nor compassion for myself, always playing defense, internalizing every failure. It’s only primed me more for burning myself out and, consequently, lashing out at my kids when I can’t meet the unreachable, self-imposed measure of perfect motherhood.
So, yeah, my favorite list of parenting books focuses on three main things to keep in mind. Authoritatively taking care of the children you’re raising. Acknowledging and making space for natural neurocognitive development. AND taking care of YOURSELF as a parent so that you can be who your family needs.
With that being said, here’s my FREEBIE and shameless plug for my own submission to this list of parenting books, Parenting Without Burnout. The actionable steps within this guide are by no means exhaustive, nor do you have to enact every point to reap rewards.
In my quick, easy-to-read parenting guide, I talk about harsh realities of feeling exhausted and overwhelmed as a parent. I lay out steps you can take to help manage and banish burnout. We go over symptoms of parental burnout and discuss the issues that can cause it. All with the aim of guiding you and your family toward a more connected, peaceful future together.
FREE Intro to Parenting Without Burnout
Picture this:
It’s Monday. You’ve suffered through yet another sleep-interrupted night due to potty requests and night terrors. The weekend offered no rest. Your preschoolers sit at the table, inhaling their pre-breakfast snack, waiting to be presented with their breakfast that you, bleary-eyed, are currently cooking. Eggs.
The day starts as it often does, with yet another mealtime meltdown. Another fight. More stress. When all you really want is more coffee.
The next few hours provide little relief. Riot control when your preschoolers are mauling each other over a toy, screeching, setting off every trigger-point alarm bell in your body. Muscle through a nap-time fight. Their nap time, not yours, as much as you could use one.
Maybe phoning in some at-home preschool program during the afternoon to check the box. Strained spousal interaction because y’all are both drowning in this shit together. And somehow, your SO’s snappiness with the babies is less justified than your own.
Fast forward. Another conflict over the cuisine at supper, feet-dragging on the family-time evening walk, surviving bath and bedtime… At long last, you collapse onto the couch. The laundry you’ve been resentfully glaring at all day glares back at you, and you’ve both got an extra wrinkle or two now.
Precious “you” time turns into a dissociated binge of Netflix, carbs, and guilt. Today could’ve been better, you think. How am I going to do this all again tomorrow?
Well, “a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”, right?
If any of this resonates with you, I completely get it. Parenting is trying on a good day and feels catastrophic on a bad one. Especially when you’re suffering from some serious parental burnout. This shit is hard.
I can assure you, I’m not writing this guide because I have all the answers. I have, however, gleaned some wisdom from doing the parenting gig myself.
I’m Meagan Glemboski, Mamasaur to 4-year-old Orson, 3-year-old Nova, and 18-year-old, bonus-son Coen. I’ve been writing for www.themamasaur.com for over 2 years now, sharing insights, experiences, and lessons learned. Juggling personal life, passions, aspirations, parenting, and mental health with my husband of 6 years (and fellow author), Nathan.
My days as a parent have run the gamut of human emotion. They’ve been good, bad, and very ugly. But they’ve always shared a common thread throughout: a deep desire for never-ending personal growth, humility, self-improvement, and learning.
And now, with this slow parenting guide, I’m proud to present a polished perspective on how to parent without burnout. How to parent in pursuit of peace, connection, and cultivation. How to weave strong, supportive relationships with your children, instead of feeling the tempting pull to resent them. Been there.
The solution starts with you. That is why you’re here reading this now. That makes you a good parent, and I applaud you. You want things to be better. You don’t want to feel this way, and you hold onto hope that you don’t have to. There is a better way.
Let’s take it slow.
If you enjoyed this FREEBIE introduction to my own addition to parenting books, Parenting Without Burnout, sign up with your email above to grab a FREE COPY of the ENTIRE BOOK! We promise not to spam you!
If you’d rather forego signing up for the email list, but you’re still interested in picking up a copy, use the link below to grab yours today. Thank you so much for your support!