The Top 6 Evidence Based Parenting Books You Need To Read Now (2024)

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These evidence based parenting books will show you what is fact and what is fiction in the parenting world.

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Imagine never having to worry again if you’re raising your child right because you know that the rules you live by are actually backed by science.

Imagine never feeling guilty again that you might’ve harmed your child because you know that how they’re being and acting are developmentally appropriate, that they’re just being kids and that you’re actually raising them right.

Imagine being able to trust your own instincts as a parent and knowing exactly what you need to work on and improve upon so that your relationship with your child can flourish as the years pass.

In a hurry?

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Imagine knowing how to repair a relationship with your child when life happens and you act less than perfect, make a mistake and lose your temper.

Imagine knowing what to do when you’re exhausted beyond belief and act human.

Sound unbelievable? Actually, it’s really possible.

Obviously, we’re not talking about perfection here.

We’re all humans and we make mistakes – especially when we don’t have enough rest or time for ourselves.

But when you know what you’re doing, you take decisive action and your confidence soars.

“Education,” as Jim Rohn said, “is the first step to personal change.”

And these books will give you the education you need to raise self-disciplined children without crushing their spirit.

Side Note: As a parent, it’s absolutely important that you devote some time for yourself. For more information on the importance of self-love, what it is and how to practise it, check out the resources below.

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES:
The Ultimate Guide to Self-Love – Discover what self love is, why you need it and how you can develop it.

The Ultimate Guide to Getting to Know Yourself – My most recommended way to celebrate Valentine’s Day, this guide will help you dig deep and discover who you really are. And the good thing is, you don’t need to wait for Valentine’s Day to do it. You can just make every day Valentine’s Day!

The Gift Of Self-Care – A list of amazing gifts that will help you really enjoy a self-care day.

When Moms Need A Break – Parents rarely have enough time for everything they need to do. This post contains some amazingly quick tips that will help you make the most of what little time you have. Also see: Quick And Easy Self-Care Strategies For Parents Everywhere.

Mental Health Awareness For New Mothers – Mothers are especially susceptible to mental health issues so it’s vital that you keep checking if you’re experiencing it. This post contains a list of early warning signs that you need to look out for as well as some natural ways to combat mental illness.

Evidence Based Parenting Book 1: Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids

Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids is practically my parenting bible and has really helped me cope with my own child who, like all children, pushes all my triggers.

This book is designed to help parents better understand and regulate their own emotions so that they can become more peaceful and, therefore, parent with healthy limits, empathy, and clear communication.

The author gives step-by-step easy-to-implement examples of solutions and kid-tested phrasing for parents of toddlers right through the elementary years.

Evidence Based Parenting Book 2: Playful Parenting

Playful Parenting invites parents to join children as they explore the world, communicate deep feelings, get close to those they care about, work through stressful situations, and simply blow off steam.

Play allows children to do all those things and more. And when we allow children to lead us whilst in their world, we help them to:

✦ Express and understand complex emotions that they need to work on
✦ Go beyond the traditionally negative emotions of shyness, anger, and fear
✦ Empower themselves and respect diversity
✦ Play their way through everything negative that they experience, such as sibling rivalry, jealousy, anger, resentment etc.
✦ Cooperate sans power struggles

Evidence Based Parenting Book 3: Unconditional Parenting

If you want to truly revolutionise the way you parent and in doing so, the way the future generation parents, then Unconditional Parenting is the book you just cannot miss. From the mighty pen of Alfie Kohn comes a groundbreaking parenting guide that begins like no other, “What do kids need—and how can we meet those needs?“.

What follows from that question are ideas for working with children rather than doing things to them, fostering cooperation rather than forcing compliance.

The powerful, and largely unknown, research that Kohn includes in this book is truly paradigm-shattering as they show the damage caused by traditional parenting, which leads children to believe they must earn our approval.

Evidence Based Parenting Book 4: How To Talk So Kids Will Listen And Listen So Kids Will Talk

A fantastic book on effective communication between parents and children, How To Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk is a bestselling classic.

It includes fresh insights and suggestions as well as the authors’ time-tested methods to solve common problems and build foundations for lasting relationships, including innovative ways to:

✦ Cope with your child’s negative feelings, such as frustration, anger, and disappointment
✦ Express your strong feelings without being hurtful
✦ Engage your child’s willing cooperation
✦ Set firm limits with respect for both parties
✦ Go beyond the use of punishment so that even negative encounters promote the opportunity to learn and grow so that eventually, children being to apply self-discipline
✦ Understand the difference between helpful and unhelpful praise
✦ Resolve family conflicts peacefully

Text: Evidence based parenting books every parent needs to read.
Image: A pregnant blonde holding a beige cup in one hand and a book in the other.

Evidence Based Parenting Book 5: No Drama Discipline

No Drama Discipline – As the name suggests, this is a parenting book that revolves around discipline.

It contains strategies that help parents identify their own discipline philosophy—and master the best methods to communicate the lessons they are trying to impart.

Also, discover actual facts on child brain development from professionals (and not self-professed experts with no scientific background or even parenting experience) and what kind of discipline is most appropriate and constructive at all ages and stages.

Finally, find out the best way to calmly and lovingly connect with a child—regardless of behaviour—while still setting clear and consistent limits.

Bonus: This book also contains tips for navigating your child through a tantrum to achieve insight, empathy, and repair instead of engaging in a power struggle that serves to prolong the tantrum and sever your connection with your child.

It also has twenty discipline mistakes even the best parents make—and tips on how to stay focused on the principles of whole-brain parenting and discipline techniques.

Evidence Based Parenting Book 6: Joyful Toddlers & Preschoolers

Joyful Toddlers & Preschoolers is the book that will help you side-step power struggles and set limits without punishing or yelling. Containing current research and written in clear language, you’ll learn:

✦ How to use your connection with your child to transform “no” into “yes”
✦ What to do when you can’t get your children to do something you want them to do
✦ To set and enforce boundaries in ways that strengthen instead of eroding your relationship with your child
✦ Support children’s emerging self-regulation skills (yes, they learn how to regulate their emotions and it’s better to start teaching them as early as you can)
✦ Get your housework done while children help or play happily
✦ Create more time for yourself

In other words, this book will show you simple ways you can create a healthy home life that meets your needs and those of your children.