Do you want to raise your child in a gentle, positive, respectful, and peaceful way? Breaking the habit of being angry most of the time and becoming a gentle parent instead isn’t easy. That’s why I compiled this ultimate list of gentle parenting books for you so you can pick the one that is right for you and your family.
Whether you are a new parent and you want to make everything ‘right’ from the start or you are at your wits end when it comes to parenting: gentle parenting is a great approach to raise your child.
I truly believe that gentle parenting is the key to a happy child and happy parents and therefore a happy and peaceful life. Our family life has improved significantly since practicing gentle parenting. It’s a great feeling to be able to stay calm in difficult situations, rather than losing control and feeling overwhelmed.
- What Is Considered Gentle Parenting?
- Best Gentle Parenting Books for a Stress-Free Family Life
- Books by Amy McCready
- Books by Daniel J. Siegel, M.D. and
- Tina Payne Bryson, Ph.D. / Mary Hartzell
- Books by L.R. Knost
- Books by Sarah Ockwell-Smith
- Books by Janet Lansbury
- Books by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish/
- Julie King
- Books by Amber Lia and Wendy Speake
- Books by Various Authors
- How Do I Practice Gentle Parenting?
- Is Gentle Parenting Effective?
- Is It Too Late to Start Gentle Parenting?
- What Do Gentle Parents Believe?
- Final Thoughts on Best Gentle Parenting Books
- Best Gentle Parenting Books To Live a Peaceful Family Life
What Is Considered Gentle Parenting?
Gentle parenting is a parenting approach that is based on a partnership between the child and the parent.
Instead of the parent telling the child what to do, a gentle parent involves the child when it comes to making decisions. The parent listens and understands the child and respects his choices.
Gentle parenting doesn’t welcome punishment or pressure, but still follows discipline and boundaries. Gentle parents want to be a good role model for their child and encourage empathy and emotions.
Does this sound like a great parenting style to you but you are not sure where to start?
Let’s dive right into my list of gentle parenting books – I hope you’ll find the perfect one to help you achieve a better and more peaceful way of parenting your child.
Best Gentle Parenting Books for a Stress-Free Family Life
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Books by Amy McCready
The Me, Me, Me Epidemic: A Step-by-Step Guide to Raising Capable,
Grateful Kids in an Over-Entitled World
If I Have to Tell You One More Time…: The Revolutionary Program That Gets
Your Kids To Listen Without Nagging, Reminding, or Yelling
Books by Daniel J. Siegel, M.D. and
Tina Payne Bryson, Ph.D. / Mary Hartzell
The Whole-Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your
Child’s Developing Mind
No-Drama Discipline: the whole-brain way to calm the chaos and nurture
your child’s developing mind
The Yes Brain: How to Cultivate Courage, Curiosity, and Resilience in Your Child
Parenting from the Inside Out: How a Deeper Self-Understanding Can Help You
Raise Children Who Thrive
Books by L.R. Knost
The Gentle Parent: Positive, Practical, Effective Discipline
Two Thousand Kisses a Day: Gentle Parenting Through the Ages and Stages
Books by Sarah Ockwell-Smith
The Gentle Discipline: Using Emotional Connection–Not Punishment–to Raise
Confident, Capable Kids
The Gentle Sleep Book: Gentle, No-Tears, Sleep Solutions for Parents of
Newborns to Five-Year-Olds
The Gentle Potty Training Book: The calmer, easier approach to toilet training
The Gentle Eating Book: Easier, Calmer Approach to Feeding Your Child and
Solving Common Eating Problems
The Gentle Parenting Book: How to raise calmer, happier children from birth to seven
Books by Janet Lansbury
No Bad Kids: Toddler Discipline Without Shame
Elevating Child Care: A Guide to Respectful Parenting
Books by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish/
Julie King
How To Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk
How to Talk So Little Kids Will Listen: A Survival Guide to Life with
Children Ages 2-7
Siblings Without Rivalry: Help your children live together so you can live too
Books by Amber Lia and Wendy Speake
Parenting Scripts: When What You’re Saying Isn’t Working, Say Something New
Triggers: Exchanging Parents’ Angry Reactions for Gentle Biblical Responses
Books by Various Authors
Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids: How to Stop Yelling and Start Connecting
(The Peaceful Parent Series), by Dr. Laura Markham
Sage Parenting: Honored and Connected (Sage Family), by Rachel Rainbolt
Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life – Empathy, Collaboration,
Authenticity, Freedom, by Marshall B. Rosenberg, PhD
Emotional Agility: Get Unstuck, Embrace Change, and Thrive in Work and Life,
by Susan David, PhD
The Conscious Parent: Transforming Ourselves, Empowering Our Children,
by Shefali Tsabary, PhD
Balanced and Barefoot: How Unrestricted Outdoor Play Makes for Strong,
Confident, and Capable Children, by Angela J. Hanscom
The Attachment Parenting Book: A Commonsense Guide to Understanding and
Nurturing Your Baby, by William Sears, M.D., and Martha Sears, R.N.
Hold On to Your Kids: Why Parents Need to Matter More Than Peers,
by Gordon Neufeld, Ph.D., and Gabor Mate, M.D.
The Explosive Child: A New Approach for Understanding and Parenting
Easily Frustrated, Chronically Inflexible Children, by Ross W. Greene, Ph.D.
Simplicity Parenting: Using the Extraordinary Power of Less to Raise Calmer,
Happier, and More Secure Kids, by Kim John Payne, MED, with Lisa M. Ross
Differently Wired: A Parent’s Guide to Raising an Atypical Child with
Confidence and Hope, by Deborah Reber
Parenting for Social Change: Transform Childhood, Transform the World,
by Teresa Graham Brett
Untigering: Peaceful Parenting for the Deconstructing Tiger Parent, by Iris Chen
Raising Good Humans: A Mindful Guide to Breaking the Cycle of Reactive Parenting
and Raising Kind, Confident Kids, by Hunter Clarke-Fields, MSAE
Unconditional Parenting: Moving from Rewards and Punishment to Love and Reason,
by Alfie Kohn
The 5 Love Languages Of Children: The Secret To Loving Children Effectively,
by Gary Chapman & Ross Campbell
The Danish Way of Parenting: What the Happiest People in the World Know About
Raising Confident, Capable Kids, by Jessica Joelle Alexander and Iben Dissing Sandahl
Bringing Up Bébé: One American Mother Discovers the Wisdom of French Parenting,
by Pamela Druckerman
Screamfree Parenting: How to Raise Amazing Adults by Learning to Pause More and
React Less, by Hal Runkel, LMFT
1-2-3 Magic: The New 3-Step Discipline for Calm, Effective, and Happy Parenting,
by Thomas W. Phelan, Ph.D.
Positive Discipline: The Classic Guide to Helping Children Develop Self-Discipline,
Responsibility, Cooperation, and Problem-Solving Skills, by Jane Nelsen, Ed.D.
Families Where Grace is in Place: Building a Home Free of Manipulation,
Legalism, and Shame, by Jeff VanVonderen
The Gentle Art of Communicating with Kids, Toddlers to Teens,
by Suzette Haden Elgin, Ph.D.
The Connected Child: Bring Hope and Healing to Your Adoptive Family,
by Karyn B. Purvis, David Cross, and Wendy Lyons Sunshine
Grace Based Parenting: Set Your Familiy Free, by Dr. Tim Kimmel
Raising Your Spirited Child: A Guide for Parents Whose Child Is More Intense,
Sensitive, Perceptive, Persistent, and Energetic, by Mary Sheedy Kurcinka
Transforming the Difficult Child: The Nurtured Heart Approach,
by Howard Glasser and Jennifer Easley
Frequently Asked Questions:
How Do I Practice Gentle Parenting?
Here are the 4 core elements of gentle parenting:
1. Understanding
This means understanding your child and the different phases they are going through. It also means realizing that your child’s brain is still developing and that they can’t always act the way you would like them to.
Children need to learn first how to react in certain situations and how to control their feelings.
2. Empathy
You need to show empathy to your child and engage with them. Show them how much you care for them and that their feelings and actions are valuable.
Children need to be able to feel that we are there for them – physically and emotionally.
3. Respect
Respecting your child goes hand in hand with empathizing with them. Don’t talk down on them and don’t make them feel bad for acting the way they do or the choices they make.
Treat your child the way you would like to be treated by your child.
4. Boundaries
Setting boundaries for your child is an important element of gentle parenting as well. Your child needs your guidance to grow and learn what to expect in life.
Is Gentle Parenting Effective?
There’s no doubt about gentle parenting being very effective.
Your child will feel valued by being heard and treated with respect. No one likes to be yelled at or physically threatened. By being a gentle parent, we raise a confident, happy and independent person. And we make the world a better place because our child learns to also treat other people (including us) and one day their child with respect.
Gentle parenting contributes to a peaceful family life and has a huge positive snowball effect.
Is It Too Late to Start Gentle Parenting?
I personally believe that it’s never too late to change something for the better.
Of course, the earlier you start, the better but if you truly believe in gentle parenting, just jump straight in and try to become a better parent a little bit each day. You will soon discover the positive changes in your child and the impact it has on your family life.
What Do Gentle Parents Believe?
Gentle parents believe that yelling, screaming, hitting and punishing doesn’t help in raising a good human being. Gentle parents want their child to be happy and kind. And this can only be achieved when parents stay calm and treat their child with the respect they deserve.
Final Thoughts on Best Gentle Parenting Books
I hope my ultimate list of the best gentle parenting books helped you choosing the right one for you to start your journey of becoming a gentle parent.
It’s great to see that you want to live a peaceful life and raise your child in a positive way. Some days will be hard, but every day it will become a little easier.
Don’t be too hard on yourself – I wish you all the best!
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Best Gentle Parenting Books To Live a Peaceful Family Life
About The Author
Saskia is a mom, blogger, and freelance writer. She loves sharing tips on gentle parenting, self-care, and productivity & organization. Find out more here or visit her contact page to get in touch.
