Recommended Parenting Books
For our parents it was easy. They had their copy of Dr. Spock at the ready and knew that between it's pages lay all the answers.
Today the range of books and list of titles is overwhelming. This list is not comprehensive by any means. It includes books I like and the books written by and/or recommended by some of the expert guests from the television program, Parenting Today.
General Parenting
Made you look: How Advertising
Works and Why You Should Know. Shari Graydon, 2003,Annick Press.
When your kids are bugging you to buy the latest toy, clothing or even
family car do you ever wonder how they know so much about these products.
This book has the answer.
It’s written for kids but you will also love it. Easy to read, fun
and full of pertinent and interesting facts and examples it’s a book
for the whole family.
Dealing with Disappointment: Helping Kids Cope When Things Don’t
Go Their Way. Elizabeth Crary, 2003, Parenting Press.
No matter how hard we try, we can’t protect our kids from disappointment.
Our job is to help them learn how to handle life’s bumps in the road
and this book with examples and exercises is just what we need.
No More Misbehavin': 38 Difficult Behaviors and How to Stop Them Michele Borba, 2002, Jossey-Bass. Good information on handling typical misbehaviors. However, her attitude toward consequences is punitive rather than disciplinary.
It's Not a Plot to Drive You Crazy! Fran Kammermayer, 2002 offers a toolbox of useful and helpful parenting skills.Order from North Shore Family Services.
the bully, the bullied and the bystander, Barbara Coloroso, Harper Collins, 2002. Helps us to understand bullying and what we can do to end the cycle.
the mother of all pregnancy books, Ann Douglas,Macmilllan Canada, 2000. A comprehensive guide from pre-conception to birth. Easy to read and full of good advice.
Kids are worth it! Barbara Coloroso, Sommerville House, 1994. Filled with good, common sense parenting advice based on treating children with respect.
Kid Cooperation: Elizabeth Pantley, New Harbinger Publications, 1996. This book uses lots of examples to help parents identify what they can do to gain the cooperation of their children.
Steps & Stages: Holly Bennett and Theresa Pitman, Key Porter Books, 1998. From the authors who provide such useful information monthly in Today's Parent magazine. There are four little books, The Toddler Years, The Preschool Years, the School Years and the Pre-teen Years. They are easy to read and offer further resources for each stage discussed.
Liberated Parents, Liberated Children: Adele Faber & Elaine Mazlish, Avon Books. 1974 Reading this book is like participating in a supportive, helpful parenting group. Stories and examples of typical parents and children.
In Search of Sleep: Bonny Reichert, Key Porter Books, 2001. Bonny was a guest on Parenting Today on April 2, 2001. Her book is reassuring and helpful to sleep-deprived parents of babies and toddlers.
Allowances, Dollars and Sense: Paul Lermitte, McGraw-Hill, 1999. Paul was a guest on Parenting Today on January 22, 2001. This book explains we need to teach our children how to manage money and allowances is one way we can give them this necessary life-time skill.
Raising, Happy, Healthy, Weight-Wise Kids: Judy Toews & Nicole Parton, Key Porter Books, 2000. Judy was a guest on Parenting Today on December 4, 2000. Her book is packed with realistic information on helping our kids to eat well.
Something to Cry About: Susan Turner, Wilfred Laurier University Press, 2002. Looks at the issue of corporal punishment from a philosophical perspective. For those who want to look at the arguments against corporal punishment this is the book.
Babies and Toddlers
the mother of all baby books, Ann Doulgas, MacMilllan Canada, 2001. What does baby really need? From baby baths to colic to circumcision, it's all here.
the mother of all toddler books, Ann Douglas, MacMillan Canada, 2002. Are you noticing a trend here? Ann has againe offered us a comprehensive guide to child raising, this time it's toddlers.
ParentSmart Books
This is a series of six books for parents of children from birth to age
three. The books are useful and easy to read. A boon for parents looking
for some practical tips and information.
The titles are: How to Achieve Joyful and Confident Parenting: How Your
Baby and Child Learns: Your Baby and Child’s Emotional and Social
Development: Medical Emergencies and Childhood Illnesses: Your Baby and
Child’s Growth and Development and Teaching You Child Positive Discipline.
Communication Skills
How To Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk: Adele Faber & Elaine Mazlish. Avon Books. 1982 Straighforward, easy to read, lots of examples.
Being the Parent You Want to Be: Gary Screaton Page, Performance
Learning Systems, 1999. This book has two main sections and while I found
some valuable information I find I can’t endorse it fully
Section 1 helps you determine your personal parenting style. The postive
aspect is that by demonstrating your style you can more easily maintain
consistency in your parenting. However, the author doesn’t help you
determine the effect different styles may have on children. I was looking
for some expert advice.
The rest of the book will help you learn communication skills. If you
are new to communication skills you’ll appreciate the down-to-earth
language and the many chances to practice the new skills. I found the
many choices a bit overwhelming but I’d suggest any parent take a
look at it and decide for him/herself.
Child Self-Esteem
Your Child's Self Esteem: Dorothy Corkille-Briggs, Dolphin Books. 1975. One of the first books to address the issue of self-esteem, it remains an excellent source of information for parents. I particularly like to author's approach to ages and stages.
Nutrition
Raising Happy,Healthy, Weight-Wise Kids. Judy Toews & Nicole Parton, Key Porter Books, 2000. Good solid information on children and eating. Judy was a guest on the tv show Parenting Today twice.
Winning the food fight, Dr. Joey Shulman, Wiley & Sons, 2003. Good information on the food we feed our children.
Work & Family
Work Less, Live More: Paula Brook, Doubleday, 1997. From a personal story to interviews with ex-career woman, this book traces the positive choice dual-career mothers are making in order to bring some balance into their lives.
Sequencing: Arlene Rossen Cardoze, Collie Books, 1986. For mothers who don't want to have it all at once but are worried about deciding to stay at home with their children for awhile this book is reassuring and helpful.
Raising Teenagers
Rage,Rebellion & Rudeness: Parenting Teenagers in the New Milllennium, Dr. Scott Wooding, 2003, Fitzhenry and Whiteside.
He's done it again! Dr. Wooding knows teens and he knows parents and in this new book gives parents the understanding of what makes these teens tick and how to parent them effectively and wisely.
Hear Me, Hug Me, Trust Me; Dr. Scott Wooding, Script Books, 1995. From the mouths of teens, Dr. Wooding gives parents good information on what our children need from us
Now I Know Why Tigers Eat Their Young, Dr. Peter Marshall, Whitecap Books, 2000. Sometimes it's difficult to maintain a sense of humour when raising teens. Marshall brings information and humour to bear in this helpful book.
Are you Losing Control? The Common Sense Guide to Parenting Teens: Carolyn Bergmann, Crackling Communications, 2000. Carolyn was a guest on Parenting Today on January 15, 2001. This book helps parents walk the fine line between letting our teens go and giving them the solid parenting they need.
Sex Education
More Speaking of Sex - Are You Ready to Answer the Questions Your Kids Will Ask? Meg Hickling, Northstone 1999. Meg tackles the important of talking to kids about their bodies in a matter-of-fact and humourous way. The book is down to earth, interesting and filled with stories to demonstrate her points (and often make you laugh).
Grandparenting
The Long Distance Grandmother: Selma Wassermann, Hartley & Marks, 1996. For all the grandparents who want to stay connected with their grandchildren no matter what the distance. Selma was a guest on Parenting Today on October 30, 2000.
Difficult Times
Damaged Angels: Bonnie Buxton, Knopf Canada 2004. This book is an essential read for anyone wanting an understanding about fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. From the story of the author's family to other FAS children and their families the book explains the realities of FASD.
Parenting with wit and wisdom in times of chaos and loss: Barbara Coloroso, Viking Press, 1999. Helping children deal with illness, death and divorce challenges all parents. This book offers compassionate and helpful advice for parents.
List of Topics
