Books for Moms

I really love to read. Before having kids I would read all the girly, “chick-lit” books I could get my hands on. After having kids, most of the books I have been reading are related to either parenting or personal growth. In this stage of life, I’m looking for books that are going to encourage me to be the best mom that I can be. Today I am sharing with you the best books for moms that I love and think you will, too.

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BOOKS FOR MOMS

The Whole-Brain Child: Whenever I asked anyone for a book to help me manage some of the behavior struggles I was dealing with with my boys, this one was always recommended. In this book, you will find 12 super-practical strategies to help “foster healthy brain development, leading to calmer, happier children.” We all want calmer, happier children, am I right?! It was so interesting to learn about the ways we can encourage integration within the brain to help manage those strong emotions and behaviors our kiddos experience. The book is written together by a neuropsychiatrist and a parenting expert. Having someone to explain the science behind the behaviors and a parenting expert to give practical advice to manage those behaviors is my kind of duo! There is also a workbook that can be used alongside the book. The workbook “has a unique, interactive approach that allows readers not only to think more deeply about how the ideas fit their own parenting approach but also develop specific and practical ways to implement the concepts and bring them to life for themselves and for their children.” With dozens of clear, practical and age-specific exercises and activities, this workbook is perfect for parents and caregivers and even clinicians and educators. I have both and think they are both really great.

Love and Respect in the Family: I had a several “ah-ha” moments while reading through this book. I totally saw my own house when the author described the “Family Crazy Cycle”. The Family Crazy Cycle is what happens when a child feels unloved so they negatively react in a way that feels disrespectful to a parent. A parent who feels disrespected negatively reacts in a way that feels unloving to the child. And the cycle continues on and on. Sound familiar? The teachings in this book have encouraged me to slow down in order to move out of the “crazy cycle” so that we can move into the “energizing cycle”. I really do desire to be an exceptional mom to my three kids and books like Love and Respect in the Family have helped me be a better mom. I also enjoyed the book Love and Respect: The Love She Most Desires; The Respect He Desperately Needs by the same author.

Girl, Wash Your Face: I know you have probably already heard of this book and if you’re as into Rachel Hollis and her teachings as I am, I know you have probably already finished this book! But, if you don’t know who she is and if you haven’t yet read her book…order it now! It really is as great as everyone says it is. In this book, Rachel walks us through 20 lies that we tend to tell ourselves and why we need to stop believing those lies in order to start living life as joyfully and productively as we are meant to. Reading this book feels like you’re getting really great advice from a wise older sister who just wants the best for you. You can check out this post to learn more about the amazing podcast she does, too. Or you can pre-order her new book Girl, Stop Apologizing which comes out in March.

The Happiness Advantage: How a Positive Brain Fuels Success in Work and Life: I am in the middle of this book currently but wanted to make sure I add it to this list. I learned of this book from my boys’ school. The staff at their school read this over the summer and suggested it to parents at a recent school event. I ordered it right away. To be honest, I am guilty of having the mindset of “if I just do/earn/get this, then I’ll be happy.”. I have thought once you become successful, happiness follows. But this book shares that that thinking is actually backward. “When we are positive, our brains become more engaged, creative, motivated, energetic, resilient, and productive at work. In this book, the author explains how we can reprogram our brains to become more positive in order to gain a competitive edge at work. Isolating seven practical, actionable principles that have been tried and tested everywhere from classrooms to boardrooms, stretching from Argentina to Zimbabwe, he shows us how we can capitalize on the Happiness Advantage to improve our performance and maximize our potential.” I know not all of us have a traditional job in an office or are trying to climb the corporate ladder. I am a stay at home mom. But I can still appreciate the teachings in this book. Being happy and positive FIRST, allows me to be a more engaged and productive wife and mom.

Wild Things: The Art of Nurturing Boys: I haven’t started this one yet but can’t wait to get into it.  “This informative, practical, and encouraging guide will help parents guide boys down the path to healthy and authentic manhood. Wild Things addresses the physical, emotional, and spiritual parts of a boy.”

You Can’t Make Me: Another really great resource for managing strong-willed children. “Many parents suspect their strong-willed child is deliberately trying to drive them crazy. Difficult to discipline and seemingly impossible to motivate, these children present unique, exhausting, and often-frustrating challenges to those who love them. But strong will is not a negative trait. These same children have firm convictions, high spirits, a sense of adventure—all the makings of a great adult. In this book, you’ll discover how to channel that passion and determination in positive ways as you build a healthy relationship. Packed with immediately useful strategies to drastically reduce the level of tension in the home (or in the classroom), You Can’t Make Me shows how you can start today to build a stronger, more positive relationship with your strong-willed child.”

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What books are you guys currently reading? Do you read for pleasure? Or are you in the season of life I am in and seem to only read books that will teach you something? Let me know and please leave me your book suggestions in the comments!

Photos by: Megan Higgins Photography