The five best parenting books to raise confident kids

The five best parenting books to raise confident kids - One Friday World

Parenting is one of the most demanding yet satisfying experiences in life. As a new parent, events like the first fall or even the first cold feel difficult. But as time passes by and you become parents to more children, such events become experiences that give you the insight and knowledge to handle situations better. 

All parents can affirm the fact that they were able to act quickly and more calmly with their second and third children than they could with their first born. 

The parent-child relationship is critical as it promotes the child's emotional, physical, and social growth while strengthening the parent's mental state. In today's fast-paced life, we need practice to become present, kind and forgiving parents toward their children. And that's where the parenting books come to our rescue. They equip us to handle situations better and help us raise our kids in a way that nurtures their unique personalities and boosts their physical and emotional growth. 

Why are parenting books helpful to parents?

  • The information and experience shared parenting books will help parents to become more relaxed in their parenting journeys. 
  • They will share tricks to increase your patience level around kids.
  • They will help you connect with your children profoundly. 
  • Instead of reacting harshly, these books will train you to discipline your child in appropriate and better methods.
  • They will show you how to boost your child’s confidence and help him handle his emotions. 

Parent reading a book

We have curated a list of well-researched books that will arm you with the knowledge about your child's body and his needs. This will, in turn, help you to bring forth a better approach when you get pushed to the wall by your child. However, let us remind you that these parenting books are not a checklist for you to follow, but we hope that these books will help you to receive a better stance on parenthood and your relationship with your kids.

All You Need is Love: The Art of Mindful Parenting - Writer Shelja Sen

Dr Shelja Sen, who is a child psychologist by profession, offers this parenting book with a five-step approach to mindful parenting - Connect, coach, care, community, and commit. With real-life experiences, Sen writes in the book, "Parenting is not just about bringing up children. It is about growing up and transforming ourselves to be better human beings." The writer encourages parents to examine the driving force behind their parenting and be aware of their parenting patterns.

How to Raise Happy and Successful Children - Perfect Parenting -By Sushant Kalra

Smashing the age-old myth that parenthood comes naturally once you become a parent, Sushant Kalra's book emphasizes that unlearning is the first step to learning. Founder of the Parwarish Institute of Parenting, Sushant Kalra has worked with many parents who struggled in their parenthood, and he has recorded the same in this gentle parenting book. Along with real-life anecdotes, this book is one of the top 10 parenting books that can help you to identify and address your child’s unique needs during the early stages of development to raise them into emotionally balanced and secure adults.

How to Stop Yelling and Start Connecting: Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids - By Laura Markham

A psychologist by profession, Laura Markham highlights the significance of cultivating an emotional bond with your child in this book. Once you create that kind of connection, you'll no longer need to plead, punish and threaten kids. Heavily based on the latest study on brain development and clinical experience with parents, the writer offers gentle parenting tips that will help parents to get their emotions in check so that they can raise their kids with healthy limits, empathy, and clear communication. 

How to Raise Successful People: Simple Lessons for Radical Results - By Esther Wojcicki

A mother to 3 successful daughters, Esther Wojcicki talks about "the parenting anxiety" in this practical parenting book with lessons for raising, educating, and pushing individuals to their highest potential. Combining established studies and her personal radical experiences, the writer shares her secret to raising kids who became successful people. In simple words, she states the TRICK to raising kids is Trust - Respect - Independence - Collaboration - Kindness.

Explaining how parental anxiety has reached a more destructive tier over the years, thanks to the pandemic, the writer encourages parents to talk to infants as if they are adults. Allow children to pick up every task as per their own taste and preferences and encourage them to finish by themselves. Let your child lead you, is her mantra. 

Helping Your Anxious Child: A Step-by-Step Guide for Parents - By Susan Spence, Ronald M. Rapee, Ann Wignall, Heidi Lyneham, Vanessa Cobham

If your child is struggling with anxiety, do not waste time. Get your hands on this best parenting book at the earliest. This step-by-step guide for parents will enable you to help your children overcome anxiety and fears with strategies and techniques. The book explains different kinds of childhood anxieties and fears that can rise in children from a young age. The book also throws light on how this anxiety originates and provides a detailed design on how to deal with the situation. 

Permission to Feel: Unlocking the Power of Emotions to Help Our Kids, Ourselves and Our Society Thrive - By Marc Brackett

The focus of this parenting book is "emotional wellbeing," the ability to handle life's stresses successfully and adapt to changing times and situations. Written by Marc Brackett, a professor at Yale University’s Child Study Center and director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, the book is a blueprint to understanding your child's emotions better along with the reason behind them. 

Blending diligence, passion, inspiration, and science in equal parts, Brackett’s effective strategy for enhancing emotional intelligence in kids is named “R.U.L.E.R.” — five essential skills of emotional intelligence: Recognizing - Understanding - Labelling - Expressing - Regulating. Using the four core tools, the RULER method tries to build positive social and emotional intelligence in kids. This intellectual parenting book aims to shift our perspective on how we view emotions and give the push to our children. 

Woman reading a book

Frequently Asked Questions:

How to choose the right parenting book?

There are a few parameters that you need to check before choosing a parenting book, and they are as followed:

  1. Check writer's credentials: Parenting is a serious topic that can affect your kids profoundly, hence checking the writer's qualifications such as their degree and credibility is recommended.  
  2. Based on research: In today's advanced times, pick a parenting book that is backed by scientific research with citations and references. It will give you the certainty to apply the mentioned techniques and strategies to your child.
  3. Choose books with specific topics: There's a plethora of parenting books available in the market. Knowing what you need to help your child grow emotionally and socially will help you to pick a parenting book that can be most effective for you. For example, if your child has anxiety issues, you can take Helping Your Anxious Child: A Step-by-Step Guide for Parents which will arm you with techniques to deal with anxiety situations better. 

What are some of the best parenting books for kids?

Some of the best parenting books for kids are All You Need is Love: The Art of Mindful Parenting by Shelja Sen, Permission to Feel: Unlocking the Power of Emotions to Help Our Kids, Ourselves and Our Society Thrive - by Marc Brackett, How to Raise Happy and Successful Children - Perfect Parenting by Esther Wojcicki are some of the best parenting books for kids. 

Before taking any book to read, make sure that you check parameters such as is the book interesting to read. Is it realistic and practical? Does it motivate you or inspire hope? 

What is the importance of Parenting Skills?

Parenting plays the biggest role in a child's development. The principles that we infuse in kids as parents, will come out in the open when the situation demands. Hence, it is of utmost importance that parents be an ideal example of a healthy human being, emotionally and socially. Parenting is a mixture of a million tiny deeds of care, love, patience and sacrifice. 

Good parenting skills, that will help you to play the role of the parent in a caring and practical way includes:

  • Communication 
  • Listening 
  • Disciplining 
  • Rational
  • Decision-making on the go

Please note, developing effective parenting skills takes time. Along with your child, you're also growing in knowledge and experiences which will empower you to manage them appropriately. 

 

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