In response to your requests, I’ve added my book list for parents to the WitW Resources. Since my children are now grown, some of these books may be dated; perhaps some better books may have since been written. However, some of these books are timeless classics.
If I had to go back to being a new parent again and could only read one book, Raising Your Spirited Child by Mary Sheedy Kurcinka would be it. This book saved my parenting life! The advice in many of the parenting books I read was completely ineffective with my children. After reading Kurchinka’s book, I understood why.
Okay, if I had to go back and could only read one book, it would be very difficult to choose between How to Really Love Your Child by Ross Campbell and Raising your Spirited Child. Both of these books were foundational in my learning to be a good parent. Let’s say this: If you do not have spirited children, read Campbell’s book. If you do have spirited children, read Kurcinka’s book. If you have both, read both books!
Let’s Make a Memory by Gloria Gaither and Shirley Dobson changed our holidays. I’d classify it with the Penny Whistle party books (see “Play, Games & Toys” in the book list) for moving our holidays and birthdays out of the routine and into the dazzling. My adult children remember their birthdays as the highlight of the year. While I’m skeptical, they insist they were popular in elementary school because of their birthday parties.
