Favorite parenting books and resources
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I’m not a parenting expert. By any means. In fact, I wasn’t even well versed in changing a diaper before Memphis was born. Of course there’s a lot to be said of a mother’s intuition, but it can’t help with everything. Including diaper changing. I look to experts to help me teach Memphis how to human, and how to parent him without losing myself.
Here are some of the resources and books I’ve found helpful. Add them to your list!
1. Taking Cara of Babies
an online program to help you and your baby sleep
No surprise here. I’ve talked a lot about her program. Memphis has been an awesome sleeper and I have Cara’s programs to thank! We did the newborn program and the 3-4 months e-book. WORTH EVERY PENNY. I need sleep or I cannot function.
2. Feeding Littles
an online program to help your child develop a healthy relationship with food
This is a team of two: Judy, an Occupational Therapist, and Megan, a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist. If you just need some meal inspiration or tips, follow their Instagram. I took their online toddler course and wish I would have taken their baby one! Memphis is not a good eater and this course unfortunately didn’t completely solve that, but it did change my perspective on it and change how I approach food with him. I’ll share more on that in a later post. Stay tuned. :)
3. “No-Drama Discipline: The Whole-Brain Way to Calm the Chaos and Nurture Your Child's Developing Mind”
a book with hands-down the best approach to discipline I’ve found
I read, or started reading (some I disagreed with and didn’t finish) four books on discipline. This is the one I recommend. It is based in brain science and childhood development. No timeouts. No grounding. Absofreakinglutely no spanking. Discipline that actually teaches lessons. Because discipline isn’t about negative consequences. As the book shares, the word “discipline” stems from the Latin word “disciplina” which means instruction or knowledge. LEARNING. Our hope is to follow the authors’ guidelines to help Memphis learn right from wrong for himself instead of “because I said so.”
4. “Hardwiring Happiness: The New Brain Science of Contentment, Calm, and Confidence”
a book that’s helped me find joy and presence in everyday things
This isn’t a parenting book. But it is a human book and it’s helped me be a more grateful, happy human and mom. It’s helped me find more joy in every day and really cherish my time with my son. Whether or not you are a parent, I recommend this one!
5. “Parenting through the eyes of lollipops”
a book that’s helped me understand my role in nurturing Memphis’s unique soul purpose
This is a lighthearted read that, like No. 4, helps you find joy in parenting. Author Jacqueline Pirtle makes the point that our children are not extensions of ourselves. They are their own individuals, and they are here to follow their own soul calling. Our job is to support them in being themselves, not in being who we think they ought to be. If you find yourself taking things your child does personally — tantrums, hurtful words, etc. — this book can take that pressure off.
6. “unruffeled” podcast
a podcast about respectful parenting and discipline
I got through phases with podcasts. I listen to them nonstop for a couple weeks and then not at all. When I do listen, this one from Janet Landsbury is one of my favorites. She teaches a similar approach to the authors of “No-Drama Discipline” (No. 3), and helps guide parents with their real issues on the show.