Being a librarian makes me want to compile bibliographies. So here's a list in alphabetical order of my very favorite parenting books (so far) with short descriptions. Soon I'll make a list of Elizabeth's current favorite books, too.
1. Baby Hearts, by Linda Acredolo and Susan Goodwyn
This one is about emotional intelligence in babies from birth to age 3 by the authors of the book on baby signing. Sound information but not super in-depth on the scientific research, which makes it a pretty quick and easy read. Published in 2005.
2. The Fussy Baby Book. Parenting Your High-Need Child From Birth to Age Five, by William and Martha Sears
Thank goodness there is a book on high-need babies so I know I'm not insane. Also great if your parenting style isn't the same as most of the people around you. High-need children come as they are and need extremely high nurturing parenting. Describes all the wonderful qualities high-need children have to offer, especially as they grow. Very encouraging.
3. Grace Based Parenting, by Tim Kimmel
Tim Kimmel points out all the ways God handles us with infinite grace as our heavenly Father and ways to reflect that to our children as well. Great book for seeing the big picture of parenting.
4. How to Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk, by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish
How to save yourself and your kids energy and gain cooperation by learning good communication techniques (that are useful for communicating with anyone!). Extremely practical and down to earth with lots of realistic scenarios and practice exercises. I knew I would love this book when I read the first sentence--"I was a wonderful parent before I had children."
5. Positive Discipline, by Jane Nelsen
Using positive techniques (such as training, natural consequences, evaluation) and principles of mutual respect for discipline. Also explains the long-term negative effects of punishment and how to take advantage of opportunities to teach responsibility.
6. Waiting for Birdy, by Catherine Newman
A novel about a woman with a toddler and one on the way. It follows her story through the baby's birth and newbornhood. It's hilarious because it's true.
7. What's Going on In There? How the Brain and Mind Develop in the First Five Years of Life, by Lise Eliot
I can't resist these kinds of books--I just love getting a little glimpse of how babies put things together. This book has lots of research (prenatally and after birth) on the senses, social emotional growth, language, and intelligence. Paperback version published in 2000.
8. Your Child's Growing Mind, by Jane M. Healy
Great scientific, but still readable, information about how babies through teenagers learn. How learning (memory, language, reading skills) builds on itself and good developmental timetables for what to expect. First published in 1987, updated in 1994 and 2004.
Honorable Mentions
9. Mothering Your Nursing Toddler, by Norma Jane Bumgarner
I never ever planned to be nursing a toddler. This book helped me make the transition and feel happy about my decision.
10. The No-Cry Sleep Solution, by Elizabeth Pantley
I really like this book and I like Elizabeth Pantley's advice. No sleep book has been The One for us, but this is by far the best of our bunch--and the most realistic. Completely and utterly opposite philosophy from Babywise and much softer than Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child.
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