5 RESEARCH BACKED PARENTING BOOKS
Parenting is so complex and nuanced. Each family is unique and it can feel like everywhere you turn someone has a strong opinion about the right or wrong way to parent. There are so many books and resources covering the topic that it can be hard to know where to start when you are looking for trustworthy information to support your parenting process.
Here’s my take on it. In short: There is no one-size-fits all approach to parenting. I have read countless books on parenting and attended many trainings from people of various educational and professional background. While every professional wants you to believe that they have cracked the code on parenting, I have yet to find a single approach that works perfectly in its entirety for any family. My approach to parenting resources is to come to them with a “take what works and leave what doesn’t” mindset. For example, a lengthy free play schooling environment might work wonders for one kid and leave another hungry for more intellectual stimulation and development of their academic inclinations.
Every kid is different! While there are concepts that I believe to be helpful globally, like approaching your child with empathy, there are countless methods that are going to have variable results depending on the unique makeup of your particular child(ren). That being said, here are some resources that I have found to be more generally helpful than not. Not everything is going to land with you but the concepts offer a helpful understanding of an approach to parenting and family that honors everyone involved, as unique individuals worthy of kindness and respect in all of our developmental processes.
Jessica Joelle Alexander and Iben Dissing Sandahl
This book focuses on play, authenticity, empathy, and simplicity in parenting. It’s great for the parent who feels the pressure to do all the things and have their kids engaged in every activity to support their development. In summary, it’s really the simple act of being together and exploring the world freely that supports your child’s developing sense of self with the most confidence and security.
The Family Firm: A Data-Driven Guide to Better Decision Making in the Early School Years
Emily Oster
Oster is a master at contextualizing research in a way that’s accessible and applicable to the every-day parent. If you want more facts and figures to guide your decisions as you navigate the elementary years, this is your book.
Good Inside: A Guide to Becoming the Parent You Want to Be
Becky Kennedy
Most people are aware of Dr. Kennedy by now. I love her approach to understanding children and helping them make sense of their big feelings and behaviors. While some of her approaches can feel idealistic, it’s a great goal to aspire to and a sure way to approach the challenges of parenting in a way that allows your child to be seen and heard fully!
All the Rage: Mothers, Fathers, and the Myth of Equal Partnership
Darcy Lockman
This book is a helpful look at the issues of shared household and family labor in heterosexual partnerships. The challenge of equity in family labor is a tale as old as time. Lockman takes a unique approach on helping the reader understand the social and cultural constructs that often entrench each partner in their own approach. She aims to help you understand one another better, ultimately with the hope of actually creating equity of partnership in a female/male parenting dyad.
The Whole Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child’s Developing Mind
Tina Payne Bryson and Daniel Siegel
This pair has a longstanding reputation as foundational voices in the theory of attachment. Part of attaching securely to your child is nurturing their unique personhood and brain. I love the focus on the brain as a way to meet your child’s unique needs and support their development from a place of tenderness and care.
I hope that there is a resource here that speaks to your unique place in the process of parenting your unique child. Always reach out if you have questions or could use support around your parenting experience. I’d love to hear from you here! – Rachael