11 Top Books Every Parent Should Read
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The Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read By Philippa Perry
This award-winning book is designed to give parents more confidence when it comes to raising their children – and avoid making some common mistakes. Psychotherapist Philippa Perry explains what really matters and which kinds of behaviour really affects children, so you can nurture your relationship with them during those vital years and beyond. Ideal if your children are going through a challenging stage – or you simply want to understand what’s going on in their brain – this guide will help you break negative cycles and patterns, and understand how your own upbringing may be affecting your parenting.
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Your Baby Week By Week By Simon Cave & Dr Caroline Fertleman
Whether you’re expecting your first child or find yourself in the first few months of parenthood, this book talks you through the first six months of your baby’s development, week by week. Each chapter covers a different topic, including sleep, breastfeeding, and how to know when your baby is unwell. It also features useful information on when they’ll start to recognise your face and when they'll be able to distinguish different people from one another. Don’t miss the chapter on sleep – there are plenty of tips for first-time parents or those doing it alone.
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Between: A Guide For Parents Of Eight To Thirteen-Year-Olds By Sarah Ockwell-Smith
Raising ‘tweens’ – defined as children ages eight to 13 – can be difficult. As parenting expert and mother of four Sarah Ockwell-Smith explains, navigating this stage properly is critical to ensure your child turns into a well-rounded young adult. During these vital years, their brains are going through lots of changes – they experience new emotions, and juggling school and home life can be difficult. From how to monitor their time spent on social media and how much sleep tweens should ideally get, to the all-important puberty chat, each chapter tackles a different subject with sensitivity and simplicity.
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Body Happy Kids By Molly Forbes
This SL favourite teaches parents how to raise children with a positive body image. Right now, that’s more important than ever – especially when you hear that one in three teenage girls in the UK currently has an eating disorder. In fact, statistics show children become aware of their own bodies from as young as three. From why you should protect your child from diet culture to the role social media plays in children’s development, each chapter is full of eye-opening information, practical advice, and parent-child exercises to try at home.
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Expecting Better By Emily Oster
Pregnancy is a topic surrounded by old wives’ tales, with much of what we think we know about ‘what to expect when you’re expecting’ passed down through generations. Emily Oster debunks some of those pregnancy myths in this book, including why the occasional glass of wine won’t hurt your baby and why getting pregnant over the age of 35 shouldn’t be scary. With honest advice backed up by solid statistics throughout, Expecting Better is guaranteed to put your mind at ease before or during pregnancy.
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Raising Girls In The 21st Century By Steve Biddulph
Steve Biddulph knows a thing or two about raising children. The author and psychologist has studied child psychology for years, documenting his findings in this eye-opening book about what it takes to raise confident girls in today’s society. Biddulph explains the sudden and universal deterioration in girls' mental health, which often starts as early as primary school and permeates into the teenafe years. With five key stages to tap into, the book tells parents what they need to know and look out for at each age, and how to connect to your daughter from infancy onwards.
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Mum, What’s Wrong With You? By Lorraine Candy
If you’re busy raising a teenage girl – or even if you’re yet to reach that tricky stage – Lorraine Candy’s bestselling book is a must-read. The parenting columnist and mother of four (three of whom are teenagers), details the things you don't know about teenage girls until you live with them, from hormone changes and mood swings, to stealing clothes and make-up. In this memoir, Candy also offers expert guidance on how to talk to your teenager, particularly when they might not want to talk to you.
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Weaning By Annabel Karmel
When your baby is ready to be weaned off milk, Annabel Karmel’s book will help you navigate the journey. The nutritionist and author explains each aspect of the weaning process with advice on when to start, which foods to introduce first, how to prepare foods safely, and how to spoon feed both purees and solid foods. It also has handy information on allergies and intolerances, as well as tips on how to introduce tricky flavours and textures – think fish, beetroot and mushrooms. With over 60 nutritionally balanced recipes to choose from, it should make cooking for your little one that little bit easier.
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There’s No Such Thing As ‘Naughty’ By Kate Silverton
This book is all about effective techniques for parenting young children. Aimed at parents with kids up to the age of five, journalist and TV presenter Kate Silverton talks to leading mental health professionals and childhood experts on how to tackle tantrums and tears, stop squabbles, and lay the foundations for good mental health later in life. With tips on how to make parenting fun and family life easier, the book also includes easy-to-follow exercises and simple techniques to replicate at home.
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The Sensational Baby Sleep Plan By Alison Scott-Wright
Getting your baby to sleep through the night is sometimes easier said than done. If you’re struggling to stick to a good bedtime routine, or all the information ready for when the time comes, this book has lots of useful advice to ensure proper sleep for you and your baby. It also contains a daily journal to help you keep track of your baby's progress and celebrate mini milestones. Expect to find feeding plans, charts to help you interpret different cries, and realistic advice that’s easy to follow.
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The Bump Class: An Expert Guide to Pregnancy, Birth and Beyond By Marina Fogle & Dr Chiara Hunt
Fed up with the ‘perfect pregnancy’ narrative, Dr Chiara Hunt and Marina Fogle decided to set up their pregnancy course, The Bump Class, in London in 2013. They wanted to help prepare new mothers for the birth of their babies and instil in them the joy of birth, no matter what the method, time or setting of the labour. This book is full of practical advice on what to expect – including the unexpected – with charming illustrations and funny anecdotes from both authors along the way.
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