There’s no guidebook to parenting. When you enter parenthood, it doesn’t come with a manual. It’s all on you. You’ll learn as you go and experience is going to be your best teacher. But that doesn’t mean parenting books don’t help!
Must-Read Parenting Books of 2021
If you find yourself lost in the whirlwind of parenthood, here are some books we suggest you pick up and read.
How to Raise Kids Who Aren’t Assholes
What a title! But it is what it is and a prime goal for parents. Science writer Melinda Wenner Moyer discusses numerous studies and researches on issues that most parents would find vague, such as how to develop compassion, generosity, anti-sexism, and anti-racism, making it one of the most must-read parenting books of 2021.
What No One Tells You
Pregnancy and motherhood books are usually centered on the body and tackle concerns about changes in the body and coping up after giving birth. Aside from the physical changes, you are going to go through emotional turmoil too! And we noticed there are not too many books about that.
What No One Tells You shares what’s going on in the mind and the deal behind “mommy brain.” Spoiler! What you’re feeling is normal.
Cribsheet
It’s an unusual combination and believe it or not, Cribsheet is a parenting book written by an economist. And it’s actually a good thing! See, Cribsheet is all about commotions in the parenting world supported by data and science.
In this book, you get to read findings and conclusions from researchers about your parenting concerns, such as will breastfeeding make your kid smart or the best time to potty train a child.
Taking Care of Your Child
Being a first-time parent is challenging. Your baby starts doing one unusual thing and all of a sudden it feels like the end of the world. A coughing spell, weird vomit, increased temperature.
“Do we go to the doctor?!”
And we understand. So say goodbye to reading suspicious medical information online and get this book instead. It’s easy to read and will you tell when going to the doctor is needed and when to wait and observe your baby first before rushing to the hospital.
Diaper Dude
For all the nervous first-time fathers out there, this book is a good read! The book discusses the front lines of fatherhood and tells that guys don’t need to lose themselves when they become fathers.
The Whole-Brain Child
Kids can be so confusing. They are nurturing and growing human beings with a lot of questions in mind and a lot of feelings and emotions they’ve yet to understand. And if you want to discern at least a fraction of that, this book is up for grabs!
The Whole-Brain Child tells you all about your kid’s brain development and helps you get through everyday struggles like tantrums.
How to Talk so Kids Will Listen & Listen so Kids Will Talk
Communication is key. It worked back then, it still works now. And so does this book!
This book has been around for so long. Parenting trends have come and go but this book stayed. Why? Because it works! This book helps decode the language of children for parents to communicate better with them.
How Not to Hate Your Husband After Kids
67% of couples see a decline in their relationship after having their first baby.
And we wonder, why? Aren’t kids supposed to solidify marriages and relationships? Make everything better? Apparently, that’s not always the case. This book by author Jancee Dunn tells you some doable advice on how to survive the new parent stage of marriage.
Positive Discipline
We all want to raise disciplined children but it can be a struggle, especially when you are fuming with anger. Psychologist Jane Nelse, a mother of seven, writes in this book on how to alleviate these situations and how to avoid power struggles.
Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids: How to Stop Yelling and Start Connecting
Her book tells you the importance of cultivating an emotional connection with your child. When you’ve established such a crucial connection, you can say goodbye to threats, nags, pleads, bribes, and punishments.
It also reminds parents that just because your kid is not doing everything else like other children, it doesn’t mean that you’ve failed as a parent. Instead, it’s about pursuing that emotional connection and celebrating the unique quirks of your kid.
