10 Best Parenting & Family Reference Books

With over 11 million copies in print, What to Expect: The First Year , now in a completely revised third edition, is the world’s best-selling, best-loved guide to the instructions that babies don’t come with, but should. And now, it’s better than ever. Every parent’s must-have/go-to is completely updated. Keeping the trademark month-by-month format that allows parents to take the potentially overwhelming first year one step at a time, First Year is easier-to-read, faster-to-flip-through, and new-family-friendlier than ever– packed with even more practical tips, realistic advice, and relatable, accessible information than before. Illustrations are new, too. Among the changes: Baby care fundamentals–crib and sleep safety, feeding, vitamin supplements–are revised to reflect the most recent guidelines. Breastfeeding gets more coverage, too, from getting started to keeping it going. Hot-button topics and trends are tackled: attachment parenting, sleep training, early potty learning (elimination communication), baby-led weaning, and green parenting (from cloth diapers to non-toxic furniture). An all-new chapter on buying for baby helps parents navigate through today’s dizzying gamut of baby products, nursery items, and gear. Also new: tips on preparing homemade baby food, the latest recommendations on starting solids, research on the impact of screen time (TVs, tablets, apps, computers), and “For Parents” boxes that focus on mom’s and dad’s needs. Throughout, topics are organized more intuitively than ever, for the best user experience possible.

Is your child halfway through first grade and still unable to read? Is your preschooler bored with coloring and ready for reading? Do you want to help your child read, but are afraid you’ll do something wrong? RAs DISTARreg; is the most successful beginning reading program available to schools across the country. Research has proven that children taught by the DISTARreg; method outperform their peers who receive instruction from other programs. Now for the first time, this program has been adapted for parent and child to use at home. Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons is a complete, step-by-step program that shows parents simply and clearly how to teach their children to read. Twenty minutes a day is all you need, and within 100 teaching days your child will be reading on a solid second-grade reading level. It’s a sensible, easy-to-follow, and enjoyable way to help your child gain the essential skills of reading. Everything you need is here — no paste, no scissors, no flash cards, no complicated directions — just you and your child learning together. One hundred lessons, fully illustrated and color-coded for clarity, give your child the basic and more advanced skills needed to become a good reader.Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons will bring you and your child closer together, while giving your child the reading skills needed now, for a better chance at tomorrow.

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The pioneering experts behind The Whole-Brain Child and The Yes Brain tackle the ultimate parenting challenge: discipline. ” A lot of fascinating insights . . . an eye-opener worth reading.”– Parents Highlighting the fascinating link between a child’s neurological development and the way a parent reacts to misbehavior, No-Drama Discipline provides an effective, compassionate road map for dealing with tantrums, tensions, and tears–without causing a scene. Defining the true meaning of the “d” word (to instruct, not to shout or reprimand), the authors explain how to reach your child, redirect emotions, and turn a meltdown into an opportunity for growth. By doing so, the cycle of negative behavior (and punishment) is essentially brought to a halt, as problem solving becomes a win/win situation. Inside this sanity-saving guide you’ll discover • strategies that help parents identify their own discipline philosophy–and master the best methods to communicate the lessons they are trying to impart • facts on child brain development–and what kind of discipline is most appropriate and constructive at all ages and stages • the way to calmly and lovingly connect with a child–no matter how extreme the behavior–while still setting clear and consistent limits • tips for navigating your child through a tantrum to achieve insight, empathy, and repair • twenty discipline mistakes even the best parents make–and how to stay focused on the principles of whole-brain parenting and discipline techniques Complete with candid stories and playful illustrations that bring the authors’ suggestions to life, No-Drama Discipline shows you how to work with your child’s developing mind, peacefully resolve conflicts, and inspire happiness and strengthen resilience in everyone in the family. Praise for No-Drama Discipline “With lucid, engaging prose accompanied by cartoon illustrations, Siegel and Bryson help parents teach and communicate more effectively.” — Publishers Weekly “Wow! This book grabbed me from the very first page and did not let go.” — Lawrence J. Cohen, Ph.D., author of The Opposite of Worry

Turn your home into a Montessori home –and become a more mindful, attentive, and easygoing parent. It’s time to change the way we see toddlers. Using the principles developed by the educator Dr. Maria Montessori, Simone Davies shows how to turn life with a “terrible two” into a mutually rich and rewarding time of curiosity, learning, respect, and discovery. With hundreds of practical ideas for every aspect of living with a toddler, here are five principles for feeding your child’s natural curiosity, from “Trust in the child” to “Fostering a sense of wonder.” Step-by-step ways to cultivate daily routines with ease, like brushing teeth, toilet-training, dealing with siblings, losing the pacifier. Plus learn how to: * Stay composed when your toddler is not and set limits with love and respect–without resorting to bribes or punishment * Set up your home and get rid of the chaos * Create Montessori activities that are just right for your one-to-three-year-old * Raise an inquisitive learner who loves exploring the world around them * See the world through your toddler’s eyes and be surprised and delighted by their perspective * Be your child’s guide–and truly celebrate every stage

Trusted by millions of fathers, the New York Times -bestselling guide for dads-to-be is back in a fully revised and updated fourth edition. Armin Brott ―best-selling author, broadcaster, nationally syndicated columnist, and dad of three―is America ‘s foremost expert on fatherhood. His wisdom―along with the advice of leading obstetricians and researchers, and the experience of hundreds of real-life dads―is collected here in The Expectant Father , the essential guide for dads-to-be. Brott’s reassuring month-by-month overview of your partner’s pregnancy gives you the tools you need to support your partner, prepare for the baby’s arrival, and take care of yourself during this exciting time. Each chapter covers: ― What’s going on with your partner, emotionally and physically ― What’s going on with the baby, every step of the way from fertilized egg to newborn ― What’s going on with you, as you adjust to the new life stage of fatherhood ― How to stay involved : specific ways you can help (and feel included), from attending birthing classes with your partner to starting a college fund This fully revised fourth edition also includes: ―More information about adoptions, multiples, infertility and assisted reproductive technology, and dads in the military ―A special section on labor and delivery : what to expect on the big day ―A special section on what comes next , in the first few months after the baby’s arrival ―A handy resource section, connecting you to the best information on every topic related to pregnancy and fatherhood Illustrated throughout with stress-relieving New Yorker -style cartoons, The Expectant Father is a friendly and readable companion for dads-to-be seeking confidence, guidance, and joy. (Moms will love it, too!) 29 black-and- white cartoons

“Everywhere you go, you keep overhearing other moms say to their misbehaving children, ‘That’s one. That’s two. That’s three.’ And then you watch in disbelief as their kid actually stops!” ― PopSugar Moms Are you the parent of a strong-willed child? Is bedtime a nightly battle? Are you looking to get your kids to behave without yelling? Whether you have a toddler, preschooler, or school-aged child, this parenting book can help you create a calm, happy home. “Phelan’s method has a proven track record of ending the negotiations and getting kids back on track…1-2-3 {Magic} is the gold standard of child discipline for good reason. ” ― Library Journal-STARRED Since kids don’t come with a manual, 1-2-3 Magic is the next best thing. Dr. Thomas Phelan has developed the #1 selling child discipline book in the country – a quick, simple, and scientifically proven way to parent that actually works! Using his signature counting method, Dr. Phelan helps parents to quickly, calmly, and effectively stop behaviors like tantrums and meltdowns, whining and pouting, talking back, sibling rivalry and more in toddlers, preschoolers, and middle schoolers. He guides parents through drama-free discipline methods that will help with: * Getting kids to listen * Dealing with difficult/spirited children * How to discipline a toddler * What to do about sibling rivalry * No drama when you discipline Dr. Phelan also covers how you can easily establish positive routines with children ages 2 – 12 around: * Bedtime * Dinnertime * Homework * Getting up and out in the morning * and tips for strengthening your relationship with your kids Millions of parents from all over the world have used the award-winning 1-2-3 Magic to raise happier families and put the fun back into parenting, combining love and logic to make you a more peaceful parent with a happy kid. “1-2-3 Magic simplifies everything I’ve read in other books, which makes it very easy to follow. Our home has become a much more positive place.” ―Real parent “I was desperate for a change in my family dynamics. This book was the answer!” ―Real parent 1-2-3 Magic is one of Healthline’s Best Parenting Books of 2017, a 2016 Mom’s Choice Award Winner, a 2016 National Parenting Product Award Winner and a 2016 Family Choice Award Winner.

The pioneering experts behind the bestselling The Whole-Brain Child – Tina Payne Bryson and Daniel J. Siegel, the New York Times bestselling author of Brainstorm – now explore the ultimate child-raising challenge: discipline. Highlighting the fascinating link between a child’s neurological development and the way a parent reacts to misbehavior, No-Drama Discipline provides an effective, compassionate road map for dealing with tantrums, tensions, and tears – without causing a scene. Defining the true meaning of the “d” word (to instruct, not to shout or reprimand), the authors explain how to reach your child, redirect emotions, and turn a meltdown into an opportunity for growth. By doing so, the cycle of negative behavior (and punishment) is essentially brought to a halt, as problem solving becomes a win/win situation. Inside this sanity-saving guide you’ll discover * strategies that help parents identify their own discipline philosophy – and master the best methods to communicate the lessons they are trying to impart * facts on child brain development – and what kind of discipline is most appropriate and constructive at all ages and stages * the way to calmly and lovingly connect with a child – no matter how extreme the behavior – while still setting clear and consistent limits * tips for navigating your children through a tantrum to achieve insight, empathy, and repair * twenty discipline mistakes even the best parents make – and how to stay focused on the principles of whole-brain parenting and discipline techniques. Complete with candid stories and playful illustrations that bring the authors’ suggestions to life, No-Drama Discipline shows you how to work with your child’s developing mind, peacefully resolve conflicts, and inspire happiness and strengthen resilience in everyone in the family.

This parenting book shows you how to raise self-confident, motivated children who are ready for the real world. Learn how to parent effectively while teaching your children responsibility and growing their character. Establish healthy control through easy-to-implement steps without anger, threats, nagging, or power struggles.