Top Parenting Books for Raising Happy and Healthy Kids
Parenting might not come with a handbook (per se) but there are a few parenting "guidebooks" out there that get pretty close.
You don’t have to walk through this thing totally blind or rely solely on your own parents for advice. (Especially if you’re still unpacking your own childhood in therapy sessions).
These are some of our favourite parenting books for all things raising kids – from discipline to parenting styles and building resilience and emotional intelligence.
What's the deal with parenting books?
From the early days of infancy, where understanding developmental milestones can feel overwhelming, to the turbulent teenage years, where communication becomes key, these books can be a safe harbour where you feel a little less crazy. They help parents feel seen and heard while empowering them to foster environments that nurture happiness and health.
Moreover, the importance of expert advice in these guides cannot be overstated. Backed by research and real-life experience, this guidance supports you to be the best parent you can be (realistically).
They’re also great for parenting groups to dissect and work through together.
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Must-read parenting guidebooks for new parents
Raising Good Humans by Hunter Clarke-Fields (2020)
This parenting guidebook talks about the role of mindfulness and emotional intelligence in parenting. Yes, these can sound like buzzwords, but this book breaks them down in really practical, evidence-based steps.
Raising Good Humans encourages parents to break the cycle of reactive parenting, using calm and thoughtful responses instead of punitive discipline, and guiding kids with kindness while teaching boundaries.
By reacting with kindness and patience, our kids learn to respond that way too.
Price: $20 to $25
Where to purchase: Amazon or Booktopia
The Power of Showing Up by Daniel J. Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson (2020)
Just being present as a parent is essential for nurturing a child’s development. This book teaches parents the importance of “showing up” emotionally and physically so kids feel cared for and secure.
The authors run through practical strategies for positive parenting that balance discipline with empathy, guiding parents to respond with kindness and structure rather than reacting with frustration.
Price: $40
Where to purchase: Amazon or Booktopia
Best books on positive discipline for parents
Peaceful Discipline: Story Teaching, Brain Science & Better Behavior by Sarah R. Moore (2023)
We hear a lot of phrases like ‘gentle parenting’ and ‘positive parenting‘ get thrown around, and sometimes they can feel a bit wishy-washy. What many parents love about this book is how it breaks down these practices into actionable discipline tips.
It helps parents guide their children toward better behaviour without resorting to punishments or rewards. Moore emphasises the importance of using connection and empathy to foster positive relationships with kids while teaching them life skills.
The book is also grounded in neuroscience, which gives a fresh look into these strategies.
Price: $35
Where to purchase: Amazon or Booktopia
Parenting with Sanity and Joy: 101 Simple Strategies by Susan G. Groner (2023)
This book gives parents 101 simple and practical strategies for managing everyday parenting scenarios many (if not most) parents can relate to. It’s split up into sections like Parenting Golden Rules, Family Time, Gratitude and Attitude, and Forbidden Phrases.
At the heart of it, Parenting with Sanity and Joy is about building strong relationships through empathy and open communication. The book focuses on showing children respect, listening to their needs, and fostering cooperation.
Price: $29.99
Where to purchase: Amazon
Best parenting books for school-age kids
How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish
Praised as “the parenting bible” by the Boston Globe, this book is all about communication between parents and their kids.
That includes coping with your child’s negative feelings, expressing your feelings without being hurtful, resolving family conflicts, cooperating with your kid, and setting firm limits that maintain goodwill.
If you feel like talking with your child is like talking with a brick wall – we reckon you’ll love this one!
Raising Mentally Strong Kids by Charles Fay
This practical guide helps parents cultivate resilience and mental strength in their children. This updated edition emphasises the importance of teaching kids how to manage emotions, face challenges, and develop a growth mindset.
Charles Fay outlines strategies that help parents foster an environment where children can learn to cope with failure and setbacks, encouraging them to embrace challenges as opportunities for growth.
The book addresses essential topics such as setting healthy boundaries, promoting self-discipline, and enhancing emotional intelligence, all of which are vital for developing mentally strong school-age children.
Price: $30
Where to purchase: Amazon or Booktopia
Best parenting books for tweens and teens
Parenting the New Teen in the Age of Anxiety by Dr John Duffy (2019)
One in fourteen children and young people aged 4-17 in Australia experience an anxiety disorder. That’s high. We’re living in a fast-moving world where billions of opinions and stories are right at your fingertips – cue the total overwhelm.
This book is an essential resource for parents raising tweens and teens in today’s anxiety-inducing digital era. Dr. John Duffy approaches this book from a place of love for this generation and their unique strengths (a big tick from us), while taking the obstacles they face seriously.
It talks about antidotes to social media, empathy, self-consciousness, the emotional bank account and more.
Price: $25 to $30
Where to purchase: Amazon or Booktopia
The Teenage Brain by Frances E Jensen and Amy Ellis Nutt (2016)
Written from the perspective of a renowned neurologist, The Teenage Brain looks into just that – the brains of young people.
From everyday learning and multitasking to stress, self-esteem, memory, sleep, addiction, and decision-making, this book examines the science of what’s going on in your teenager’s head. (In other words, a parent’s dream).
We love that this book is rich in scientific evidence, but written to be accessible by parents and families without medical degrees.
Price: $30
Where to purchase: Amazon or Booktopia
Wrapping it up
Any one of these parenting books has enough juicy takeaways that you’ll be scribbling, highlighting and dog-earing every page before passing it on to other parents and friends.
There’s so much expert advice out there – seize it!
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