Recommended reading
Once you have kids, time for reading may be quite limited. You may find it helpful, however, to keep books on hand that relate to your job as a parent to provide inspiration, support, ideas and self-education. There are so many books we could recommend, but here are a few of our favorites.
ADHD
“American Academy of Pediatrics: ADHD: What Every Parent Needs to Know,” by Mark L. Wolraich, MD, FAAP and Joseph F. Hagan, Jr., MD, FAAP: An evidence-based reference guide to help parents sort through their child’s Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder issues and challenges.
“Parenting Children With ADHD: 10 Lessons That Medicine Cannot Teach,” by Vincent J. Monastra Ph.D.: Advice about nutrition, medication and parenting, by a clinical psychologist who has worked with thousands of children with ADHD.
“Straight Talk About Psychiatric Medications for Kids,” Dr. Timothy E. Wilens: A guide, with many real-life examples, about the use and effects of psychiatric medications prescribed for children, by a Harvard University psychiatry professor.
“Taking Charge of ADHD: The Complete Authoritative Guide for Parents,” by Dr. Russell A. Barkley: Gives an accessible overview of current scientific thinking about the causes of ADHD and offers advice for parents, teachers and others on how to help those afflicted.
“The ADHD Workbook For Kids,” by Lawrence Shapiro, Ph.D. and the “ADHD Workbook for Teens: Activities to help you gain motivation and confidence,” by Lara Honos-Webb: Self help books for kids and teens to help them to understand and manage symptoms of ADHD.
“Putting On The Brakes: Understanding and taking control of your ADD or ADHD book and workbook,” by Patricia Quinn, MD, and Judith Stern, M.A.: A resource geared for kids ages 8-13 to help them understand what ADHD is and how to manage the symptoms in their daily life.
“Learning To Slow Down And Pay Attention: A book for kids about ADHD,” by Kathleen Nadeau, Ph.D., and Ellen Dixon, Ph.D.: Created for kids in elementary and middle school.
Anger
“The Dance Of Anger,” by Harriet Lerner, Ph.D.: A terrific book that helps to describe how we all can get stuck in cycles of anger with our loved ones and how to break free from those patterns.
“The Anger Workbook For Teens: Activities to help you deal with anger and frustration,” by Cassada Lohmann, M.S., L.P.C., and Julia Taylor, M.A.: Discusses coping strategies to help manage anger.
“What To Do When Your Temper Flares: A kid’s guide to overcoming problems with anger,” by Dawn Huebner, Ph.D.: A book to help kids identify their triggers and learn how to manage their anger.
Anxiety
“Talking Back To OCD,” by John March, M.D., and Christine Benton: Helps to explain what to expect step by step in treatment and outlines a highly effective treatment program for kids and teens with OCD.
“Freeing Your Child From Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder,” by Tamar Chansky, Ph.D.: An excellent resource on how OCD impacts a child’s life, as well as effective treatment options.
“What To Do When Your Brain Gets Stuck: A kids guide to overcoming OCD,” by Dawn Huebner, Ph.D.: An excellent book geared toward elementary age kids that helps explain OCD.
“What To Do When You Worry Too Much: A kids guide to overcoming anxiety,” by Dawn Huebner, Ph.D.: An excellent book that explains why kids feel anxious and offers ideas to help them manage their anxiety more effectively.
“Anxiety Workbook For Teens: Activities to help you deal with anxiety and worry,” by Lisa Schab, L.C.S.W.: A workbook designed for teens to help them understand and manage their anxiety.
“The Anxiety & Phobia Workbook — 4th Edition,” by Edmund J. Bourne: An excellent self-help book that teaches people how to recognize and manage their anxieties and phobias, especially good for adults and teens who prefers to work on their problems in the privacy of their own home.
Autism
“The New Social Story Book: The revised and expanded 10th anniversary edition,” by Carol Gray: Over 150 social stories that teach everyday social skills to children with autism or Asperger syndrome and their peers. This easy-to-follow book offers simple and short explanations about social situations and appropriate behaviors. Accompanying computer disc allows parents to modify each story to meet the needs of their child.
“My Sensory Book: Working together to explore sensory issues and the big feelings they can cause — a workbook for parents, professionals and children,” by Lauren Kerstein, L.C.S.W.: An interactive workbook that helps to identify sensory processing profiles as well as helping the family develop specific coping strategies.
Breastfeeding
“American Academy of Pediatrics: New Mother’s Guide to Breastfeeding,” by Joan Y. Meek: An authoritative resource guide for breastfeeding moms, edited by a respected pediatrician who is an M.D., R.D. (registered dietician) and I.B.C.L.C. (certified lactation consultant).
“The Nursing Mother’s Companion,” by Kathleen Huggins: An easy read that includes an abundance of useful information and moral support.
Eating Disorders
“Your Dieting Daughter… Is She Dying for Attention?” by Carolyn Costin: A highly respected authority on the management of eating disorders, Costin helps parents understand when their child has a problem with her weight or eating and when and how to intervene.
“The Eating Disorders Sourcebook: A Comprehensive Guide to the Causes, Treatment and Prevention of Eating Disorders,” by Carolyn Costin: A more comprehensive reference guide on eating disorders.
“I’m Like So Fat: Helping your teen make healthy choices about eating and exercise in a weight obsessed world,” by Dianne Neumark-Sztainer, Ph.D.: A great book for parents to help them understand issues of body image, eating disorder behaviors and societal pressures on adolescents.
Depression
“Don’t Let Emotions Run Your Life, For Teens: Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills for helping you manage mood swings, control angry outbursts, and get along with others,” by Sheri Van Dijk, M.S.W.: A workbook for teens that can assist them in understanding and managing symptoms of depression or bipolar disorder.
“Beyond the Blues: A workbook to help teens overcome depression,” by Lisa Schab, L.C.S.W.: An easy-to-use workbook that help teens learn how to identify and manage symptoms of depression.
Divorce
“Mom’s House, Dad’s House: Making two homes for your child,” by Isolina Ricci, Ph.D.: A good primer on the commonly encountered issues for families going through a divorce or separation.
“Dinosaur’s Divorce,” by Laurene Kransy Brown and Marc Brown: A picture book to help answer questions that kids might have about a divorce.
General pediatric medical information
“American Academy of Pediatrics: Caring for Your Baby and Young Child; Birth to Age 5,” by Steven P. Shelov et al, 6th Edition: An outstanding guide to young kids that covers an array of health and developmental topics for parents with little ones.
“American Academy of Pediatrics: Caring for your School-Age Child; Ages 5-12,” by Edward L. Schor et al: The sequel to the Academy’s book on younger children, another excellent overall reference guide to health and developmental issues during the middle years.
“American Academy of Pediatrics: Caring for Your Teenager: The Complete and Authoritative Guide,” by Donald E. Greydanus et al: The final book in the series and another guide to help parents navigate the sometimes challenging experience of raising a teenager.
“American Academy of Pediatrics: Guide to Your Child’s Symptoms,” by Don Schiff: A handy alphabetized reference guide that walks you through common symptoms and explains what to do when your child is ill.
Mental Health
“The Anxiety & Phobia Workbook,” by Edmund J. Bourne: An excellent self-help book that teaches people how to recognize and manage their anxieties and phobias, especially good for teens or anyone who prefers to work on their problems in the privacy of their own home.
Nutrition
“Food Fights: Winning the Nutritional Challenges of Parenthood Armed with Insight, Humor, and a Bottle of Ketchup,” by Laura Jana et al: Helps parents learn strategies for getting kids to eat right. 2008 Mom’s Choice Gold Award Winner.
Parenting
“The Attachment Parenting Book: A Commonsense Guide to Understanding and Nurturing Your Baby,” by William and Martha Sears: A landmark method of parenting in which parents develop instinctual responses to their children.
“John Rosemond’s New Parent Power!” by John Rosemond: The book most used by Dr. Bradshaw when dealing with challenging situations involving her young children.
“How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk,” by Adele Faber et al: Presents helpful advice in an engaging format.
“Off Road Parenting: Practical solutions for difficult behavior,” by Caesar Pacifici, Lee White, Jan Eliot and Patricia Chamberlain: A terrific small book for parents who are short on reading time. It covers the basics of good behavior management and provides research-supported parenting strategies.
“The Mother Dance: How children change your life,” by Harriet Lerner, Ph.D.: A lovely reflection of the ups and downs of parenthood.
“Raising Your Spirited Child: A guide for parents whose child is more intense, sensitive, perceptive, persistent and energetic,” by Mary Sheedy Kurcinka: A must have book for parents of passionate kids, it explains the role of temperament in behavior. The accompanying workbook helps parents and kids develop coping strategies to manage intense feelings and reactions.
Sleep
“The No-Cry Sleep Solution: Gentle Ways to Help Your Baby Sleep Through the Night,” by Elizabeth Pantley and William Sears. No book on the market solves every child’s sleep problems, but this one has helped many parents we know.
“What To Do When You Dread Your Bed: A kids guide to overcoming problems with sleep,” by Dawn Huebner, Ph.D.: A workbook for kids and parents to work on together to help with problems with sleep.
Teen Issues
“Parenting Teens with Love and Logic,” by Foster Cline: Tips on helping your teens deal with subjects they face today, including peer pressure, drugs, alcohol, sex and violence.
“Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff for Teens: Simple Ways to Keep Your Cool in Stressful Times,” by Richard Carlson: From the award-winning “Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff” series, a book written for teens that imparts simple, helpful wisdom for dealing with their lives.
“Self Esteem Workbook For Teens: Activities to help you build confidence and achieve your goals,” by Lisa Schab, L.C.S.W.: A book of guided exercises that help to develop self confidence and self esteem in adolescents.
“How To Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk,” by Adele Faber et al: The classic parent-child communication booked, geared for the adolescent years.
Trauma
“The PTSD Workbook For Teens: Simple, effective skills for healing trauma,” by Libbi Palmer, Psy.D.: A workbook filled with exercises to help teens understand trauma and how to cope with it on a daily basis.
“The Courage To Heal Workbook: A guide for women and men survivors of child sexual abuse,” by Laura Davis: A classic book that helps adults explore the impact that childhood abuse has had on their lives.