11 Awesome Books All Parents Should Read to Level Up

Parenting is one of the most rewarding and challenging roles in life. Whether you’re raising a toddler, guiding a teenager, or anything in between, these books will help. They offer valuable insights, strategies, and inspiration to help you on your parenting journey. So, here are 11 awesome books all parents should read to level up!

I really love my friend’s saying “level up”. I remember the first time she said it to me. It was when I told her about the time I did something by myself after having my first child. I was super nervous but I got through the day and she said, “That’s awesome Grace, good for you!”

r1. “The Whole-Brain Child” by Daniel J. Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson

This book is a game-changer for understanding how your child’s brain develops. It is the first book on the list of books all parents should read. With practical strategies based on neuroscience, it helps parents foster emotional intelligence and manage tantrums. All the while building stronger connections with their kids.

This book is a game-changer for understanding how your child’s brain develops. It is the first book on the list of books all parents should read.

Behavioural specialists say, “during a temper-tantrum the reasoning part of the brain is beat out by the primitive brain”. It’s hard to understand what that means but I believe this book allows parents to understand the child’s developing brain. We can better grasp at what age certain parenting techniques are appropriate and effective. The goal of this book is to cultivate a meaningful and connected relationship with our kids and help them develop healthy emotional and intellectual lives. 

2. “How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk” by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish

Hailed as a parenting bible, offers communication strategies that help parents navigate conflicts with empathy and mutual respect. It’s a must-read for improving family dynamics.

Often hailed as a parenting bible, this classic offers communication strategies that help parents navigate conflicts with empathy and mutual respect. It’s a must-read for improving family dynamics.

This book was a game changer for me and how I speak to my children. I found one of the most challenging things about parenting with love is that I didn’t know how to say what I wanted to say. What was worse I didn’t know how to say it in a way that my child would respond well. This book provided me with many scripts but also techniques to respond and speak to my toddler. I really recommend this book for those who are going through the transitional toddler years. 

3. “Parenting with Love and Logic” by Charles Fay and Foster Cline

This book emphasizes the importance of raising responsible and resilient kids through a balance of empathy and accountability. The practical advice here is perfect for parents who want to teach their children problem-solving skills.

Who doesn’t want their child to grow up with resilience. It comes to some more naturally than others and likewise parenting children this way also comes more naturally than others. Everyone could use a little direction when it comes to teaching our kids empathy, accountability and perseverance. This is book three of books all parents should read to level up.

4. “Bringing Up Bébé” by Pamela Druckerman

This fascinating look at French parenting styles provides insights into raising well-behaved and independent children, emphasizing balance, patience, and boundaries. I really liked some of the techniques of this book and implemented them with my children, for example “La Pause”. Read it and you will see. 

I particularly liked the part of how parisian moms still wore heels in their pregnancy and never wore their husband’s clothing. I read this part while I was sitting in bed literally in my husband’s shirt, shorts, and socks. This part really hit home for me because I just felt so “blah”. Nothing fit quite right, everything felt tight in all the wrong places but Parisian women made the effort to still feel good. They only wore women’s clothing and made sure they fit.

This fascinating look at French parenting styles provides insights into raising well-behaved and independent children, emphasizing balance, patience, and boundaries.

I feel like this still rings true after you are a mom. It’s so easy to lose yourself in being a mother. Those sleepless nights don’t help but dressing the part helps. Buying clothes that fit well and that make you feel good no matter how your body has changed. That is the message I got from it. There are many other great insights if you read on. This is definitely a fun one of the books that all parent should read.


5. “No-Drama Discipline” by Daniel J. Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson

A companion to The Whole-Brain Child, this book focuses on effective discipline strategies. Strategies that promote teaching instead of punishment, helping parents foster a cooperative and calm home environment. When you read both these books the strategies of No-Drama Discipline becomes easy. We, as parents begin to understand where our child is in their brain development and we connect with them. 

You are really able to see how punishment such as hitting, time outs, yelling, questioning and belittling is ineffective for long-term change in our children’s behaviors. The damage it creates in their emotional intelligence, empathy, and relationships in adulthood is proven. Of course, with that said, all parents are human and raising our voices happens no matter how much we try. Not all 12 strategies might work for you and your little one but many of them did help me. I was able to change how I respond and tackle difficult situations with my kids. This awesome book all parents should read provides tips and techniques to reconcile with our children too.

6. “The Montessori Toddler by Simone Davies

The Montessori Toddler is a must-read for moms looking to foster independence, curiosity, and calm in their little ones. Grounded in the Montessori philosophy, this book offers practical, hands-on tips for creating a nurturing home environment. The goal is a space where toddlers can thrive. Davies empowers moms with clear, gentle guidance on how to set up Montessori-friendly spaces, manage tricky behaviors with respect, and encourage toddlers to explore the world at their own pace. Whether you're new to Montessori or simply want to raise a confident, capable child, this book will inspire a more mindful, joyful approach to parenting.

 The Montessori Toddler is a must-read for moms looking to foster independence, curiosity, and calm in their little ones. Grounded in the Montessori philosophy, this book offers practical, hands-on tips for creating a nurturing home environment. The goal is a space where toddlers can thrive. Davies empowers moms with clear, gentle guidance on how to set up Montessori-friendly spaces, manage tricky behaviors with respect, and encourage toddlers to explore the world at their own pace. Whether you’re new to Montessori or simply want to raise a confident, capable child, this book will inspire a more mindful, joyful approach to parenting.

Now the Montessori method is not for everyone and it might not be effective for every child. However, I do recommend it. I believe it encourages development of children into strong, independent, creative, and problem-solving little humans. You know your child best so use your best judgement on what you child will respond to and what will and will not be effective.

7. “Present Over Perfect” by Shauna Niequist 

This heartfelt and transformative read is great for parents seeking a more meaningful and balanced life. In a world that often glorifies busyness and perfection, the author invites readers to step off the treadmill of striving and embrace the beauty of being present. Through honest reflections and relatable stories, she explores the freedom found in letting go of unrealistic expectations and reconnecting with what truly matters—faith, family, and self. 

This heartfelt and transformative read is great for parents seeking a more meaningful and balanced life. Add this one to your list of books all parents should read.

This book is a gentle reminder for parents to slow down, savor the small moments, and find joy in the chaos of raising children. As all parents know and all new parents discover that children are a synonym for chaos. You really can’t have one without the other. It’s the perfect guide to cultivating a life that prioritizes presence over perfection. For me it was a great reminder to be in the moment with my children and to enjoy them at their current age, in their current stage, with the mess and challenges that came with their development. Add this one to your list of books all parents should read.

8. “The Myth of Normal” By Dr. Gabor Maté 

Dr. Maté challenges the conventional ideas of what it means to be “normal” in today’s world. This great book unpacks how societal pressures, stress, and trauma affect our physical and mental well-being. The best park of this book is it tackles how healing begins with awareness and compassion. 

I recommend this book for parents as it offers a powerful lens to understand not only their own experiences but also the challenges their children may face in our high-pressure culture. Dr. Maté’s insights empower parents to foster healthier, more authentic connections with their children while creating a supportive environment that prioritizes emotional and physical well-being. It’s an eye-opening read for those who want to break cycles of stress and nurture a thriving family. Dr. Maté often talks about the power of the child-parent relationship and how it can shape our kids’ future in so many ways, such as their future relationships, addictions, and mental health. I really recommend this book for any parent who needs healing but also wants to break the cycle of brokenness. 

9. “Hold On to Your Kids” by Dr. Gordon Neufeld and Dr. Gabor Maté 

Hold On to Your Kids: Why Parents Need to Matter More Than Peers by Dr. Gordon Neufeld and Dr. Gabor Maté is a transformative guide for parents seeking to build stronger, lasting connections with their children. The authors explore how modern society, with its focus on peer relationships and independence, has disrupted the parent-child bond. Drawing on developmental psychology and real-life insights, Neufeld and Maté emphasize the critical role of attachment in raising confident, resilient, and emotionally healthy kids. 

A transformative guide for parents seeking to build stronger, lasting connections with their children.

This book really spoke to me as I am raising 3 kids in a world of quickly growing technology and social media. We live in a culture that values independence and interdependence on peers more than family/parents. To be honest, I am scared of all the unknown and undiscovered dangers out there. A friend of mine said, parents have never had to face this kind of challenge before.

If you grew up with dial-up internet and felt the weight of the first cell phone (you know the one… Motorola) and you have young children, unfortunately friend, we are the guinea pigs. We are the first gen of parenting with screens, social media, rapid changing technology and toxic, highly sexualized peer focused culture. This book offers practical strategies for fostering deeper connections, setting healthy boundaries, and reclaiming the parent’s role as a child’s primary guide and source of security. A must-read for parents navigating today’s fast-paced, peer-focused world!

Books by Dr. Gabor Maté are definitely books all parents should read to level up!

10. “Let’s Talk About Body Boundaries, Consent and Respect” by Jayneen Sanders 

This book is so important and an essential resource for parents who want to empower their children with knowledge about body safety, consent, and respect. This beautifully illustrated and age-appropriate book helps children understand body ownership, personal boundaries, and the importance of making safe and respectful choices. It also equips them with tools to recognize and respond to bullying and inappropriate behaviors. For parents, it provides a framework to start these vital conversations early, fostering confidence and safety in their children. In today’s world, this book is an invaluable tool to help families build trust, promote open dialogue, and nurture a culture of respect and self-advocacy.

Inappropriate adult behaviours towards children have unfortunately always been an issue and is still an ongoing one but in our current world where technology becomes a window for strangers to access our young children, it is more important than ever for parents to be aware and equipped to teach our children body safety and this book is one of them. You know your child and what they are capable of understanding and remembering so educate them when you feel the time is right but repetition is key and it always helps to have resources that give you and your kids the tools to recognize and take action against inappropriate behaviours. This is definitely an important one, in the list of books that all parents should read.

11. “Raising an Emotionally Intelligent Child” by Dr. John Gottman

I have heard people say that a high indicator of future success is emotional intelligence. This book is a great guide for parents who want to nurture their child’s emotional health and resilience. The strategies in this book are rooted in decades of research. It introduces the concept of “Emotion Coaching,” a powerful approach to understanding and guiding children’s emotions. Gottman provides practical strategies to help parents connect with their children during emotional moments, foster empathy, and equip them with lifelong emotional skills. This book is essential for parents seeking to build stronger relationships, reduce family conflict, and raise compassionate, emotionally intelligent individuals who thrive in their personal and social lives.

Emotional intelligence is an area where many adults and young adults lack, as it just wasn’t prioritized or even recognized as something that required nurturing and development. Emotional intelligence is defined as the ability to perceive, understand, and manage one’s own emotions and the emotions of others. It is something many believe that all humans will grow as they mature but sadly to say that many lack in emotional intelligence and being able to handle big emotions. I recommend reading this book and rereading it too as it is also a resource for our own healing and growing in our emotional intelligence as parents. 

Parenting is an ever-evolving process, and there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. These 11 books provide a wealth of knowledge and inspiration to help parents navigate the complexities of raising children. Whether you’re looking to understand your child’s emotions, improve your communication skills, or find balance in the chaos, these reads are sure to empower you on your parenting journey. I hope you will consider these 11 awesome books all parents should read to level up.

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