As parents, we get some of our best ideas and inspiration from reading parenting books.
But how to choose one?
I can help you with that. Below are the books that I’ve read with a brief review. I’ve provided you with a brief explanation about how each book benefits the Modern Parent (or doesn’t – some are just a waste of your time (in my opinion!) so you can feel free to skip those books). If the brief review intrigues you, you can dive further into learning about the book by reading my notes from the book or purchasing the book on Amazon (I’ve provided you with a link).
Happy reading! 🙂
The Coddling of the American Mind by Greg Lukianoff and Jonathan Haidt
How This Book Benefits Modern Parents:
While this is not a traditional parenting book, this book contains a lot of information that I believe Modern Parents need to know to raise confident and wise young adults.
These authors argue that once kids enter college, they are not prepared to consider new and/or differing ideas, which is a cornerstone to higher education. We have to be able to consider ideas critically before we can adopt them or reject them, but college kids are increasingly asking for “safe spaces” that protect them from different points of view and posting online complains regarding professors who introduce controversial ideas in the classroom for debate (creating a “call out culture”).
Their recommended solution is that Modern Parents need to raise kids that are anti-fragile (what doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger), trust reason over feelings, and who are not afraid to adopt a point of view and respectfully enter into debates regarding this point of view.
A very fascinating read for sure!
Do I recommend this book? YES!
Read my notes on this book by clicking HERE.
Buy The Book: Print | eBook | Audiobook
How Children Succeed by Paul Tough
How This Book Benefits Modern Parents: Most Modern Parents these days have begun to understand that academic success involves more than just IQ – it takes character traits such as grit, resiliency, and self-confidence. Fortunately, these traits CAN be taught to every child, and this book gives you the scientific background behind why this is true AND provides the parent practical strategies on how to encourage these character traits in the home.
Do I recommend this book? YES!
Read my notes on this book by clicking HERE.
Buy The Book: Print | eBook | Audiobook
iGen: Why Today’s Super-Connected Kids Are Growing Up Less Rebellious, More Tolerant, Less Happy – And Completely Unprepared For Adulthood by Jean Twenge, PhD
How This Book Benefits Modern Parents: As a child psychologist who writes about Modern Parenting issues and helps kids and families in a private practice in Southern California, I constantly encounter kids who are struggling due to the problems brought about by too much “screen time.” Most Modern Parents know there needs to be a balance between time using tech and time interacting in the real world. This book is written by an expert in the field of generational research, and she provides an eye-opening view of how our Modern Kids think and feel – and most importantly, how Modern Parents need to parent them.
Do I recommend this book? YES!
Read my notes on this book by clicking HERE.
Buy The Book: Print | eBook | Audiobook
Creative Confidence: Unleashing The Creative Potential Within Us All by Tom Kelley and David Kelley
How This Book Benefits Modern Parents: Creativity is starkly different from artistic ability, and research tells us that people who encourage their creative abilities are happier, healthier, and more successful. This book opened my eyes to the beneficial properties of encouraging creativity in not only my own kids, but in the kids I work with professionally. A must-read for parents looking to get their kids off of “screens” and onto pursuing creative interests.
Do I recommend this book? YES!
Read my notes on this book by clicking HERE.
Buy The Book: Print | eBook | Audiobook
The Strength Switch: How The New Science of Strength-Based Parenting Can Help Your Child and Your Teen to Flourish by Lea Waters, PhD
How This Book Benefits Modern Parents: Learn how to encourage your child’s true potential to shine through by focusing on their strengths instead of their weaknesses. This book teaches the Modern Parent how to identify their child’s innate strengths and talents and how to highlight those strengths to help the child succeed in all areas of their life.
Do I recommend this book? YES!
Read my notes on this book by clicking HERE.
Buy The Book: Print | eBook | Audiobook
Willpower: Rediscovering the Greatest Human Strength by Roy Baumeister
How This Book Benefits Modern Parents: Got a child who seems to give up on hard tasks easily or who just isn’t interested in anything that seems worthwhile? This book – written by the original willpower researcher – gives the Modern Parent the background needed to see that willpower is actually a “muscle” that can be strengthened if used properly.
Do I recommend this book? YES!
Read my notes on this book by clicking HERE.
Buy The Book: Print | eBook | Audiobook
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