Parenting Books Worth Reading

Amy S. said:  If you are looking to infuse more creativity and art making into your family life, this book is the best place to start. It is filled with with great art ideas and recipes, and most of the projects are simple enough for even toddlers. The art in this book is process-driven and open-ended, which frees up little artists to experiment, do what feels good, and have fun. No more coloring inside the lines! Even if you don’t get the book, you have to check out the blog by the same name and try raised salt watercolor painting and using rubbing alcohol drops on wet watercolor to create amazing effects.

Michael Farina said:  One of my wife’s closest friends gifted us this book, about 3 months before I became a father. Through a series of funny, heartwarming anecdotes I took away the following messages: there will be hard times, you will make mistakes, don’t be so hard on yourself, and it’s all worth it.

Cherisse Harris said:  Executive-functioning coach and mindfulness teacher, Michelle Gale, speaks from experience as she advises her readers to slow down and take in the wonderful moments of parenting. It's easy to get overwhelmed with the errands, diaper runs, and timeouts and you can miss out on the opportunities to enjoy your kids and see how they're growing up -- mentally and emotionally. Through meditation and awareness, Michelle says parents can become more centered and better able to attend to their children and family challenges in a healthy, unstressed way.

Cherisse Harris said:  If you're wondering how to get your children to do what you asked -- the first time -- and without raising your voice, read this book. Hal Runkel LMFT says the key to calmer parenting is learning to pause. When you pause, you respond more and react less; and your children will respond better when they know you have control over your own emotions. Runkel discusses other Screamfree principles, as well, to effectively show parents how to peacefully cope with the stressors of parenting.