The Idler

Favourite books about parenting

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14 Responses to “Favourite books about parenting”

1. Heather says:

   May 15, 2009 at 2:06 pm

   The book that I recommend the most to new parents is the continuum concept by Jean Leidloff
   http://www.continuum-concept.org/cc_defined.html
   although it seems like a prescription, it’s actually the easiest way to parent…breastfeeding, cosleeping, benign neglect, unschooling…it’s all there.
   Here’s a comic where I give my kid the ultimate gift, days with nothing to do.

   http://www.thecowgoddess.com/2008/07/21/so-bored/

   xox,
   Heather
2. Hannah says:

   June 17, 2009 at 7:21 am

   Simplicity Parenting (Lecture CD for now. Book comes out this summer) – Kim John Payne
3. Hannah says:

   June 17, 2009 at 7:22 am

   Freedom not license – A.S. Neills
4. Martin Edwards says:

   August 2, 2009 at 2:23 am

   Toddler Taming: A Parents’ Guide to the First Four Years:

   Dr. Christopher Green

   COMPULSORY!!!!
5. Andi Rickard says:

   October 5, 2009 at 3:32 am

   I would recommend “How Not to be a Perfect Mother” by Libby Purves to any new parent – helps you keep your senses both of perspective and humour
6. Hannah Boyle says:

   October 5, 2009 at 9:24 pm

   @how to talk so kids will listen and listen so kids will talk’ by Adele Faber & Elaine Mazlish is the best.
7. sasha carnevali says:

   October 21, 2009 at 2:19 pm

   yup, “how to talk..” is the book that changed our lives and definetely mandatory for any self-respecting and child-respecting parent. so is “siblings without rivalry” by same authors. I’m giving them to all my friends this xmas.
8. Sammi says:

   November 5, 2009 at 1:31 pm

   Free Range Kids by Lenore Skenazy.
9. Hannah Boyle says:

   November 27, 2009 at 10:22 pm

   Glad others liked ‘How to talk so kids will listen …’, the best. Agree ‘Siblings without Rivalry’ (same authors) also brilliant. The only others worth reading are ‘The Continuum Concept’by Jean Liedloff, ‘Unconditional Parenting’ by Alfie Kohn (also available on DVD), ‘Teenagers!’ by Rob Parsons and of course ‘The Idle Parent’. Avoid like the plague anything which has pictures of smiling kids, the word ‘happy’ in the title, and talks about ‘behaviour’ (there’s only feelings), boundaries, discipline, time out, etc. If I have to read about another ‘star chart’ or ‘reward’ I shall scream. The great human spirit cannot be reduced to this. My new baby niece’s parents are getting ‘The Continuum Concept’ and ‘How to talk so kids will listen …’ for Xmas.
10. Derek Gripper says:

    December 15, 2009 at 8:16 am

    Continuum Concept rife where I live: problem is that it turns out she was actually bullshitting about the how the parents never put their babies down. A really good book is Montenaro’s book, really simple, really clear, and written from the point of view of the child…which is rare.
11. Derek Gripper says:

    December 15, 2009 at 8:20 am

    By Silvana Montanaro Understanding the Human Being (particularly for ages 0-3) – if you get this stage happening you’re pretty okay after that! Thanks for your Freedom book Tom, had a good day doing nothing and having a read (the children thought some of your ideas and histories were great).
12. Kristina Chetcuti says:

    December 21, 2009 at 5:30 am

    ‘Affluenza’ by Oliver James. It’s not a parenting manual, it’s about today’s (scary) societies and how horribly materialistic we’ve become. I think all parents should read it: it gives you an insight on the values you want to instill in your kids.
13. barb sheppard says:

    January 10, 2010 at 12:36 am

    …..read anything by John Holt and trust that your kids will learn without being taught……
14. franz says:

    January 16, 2010 at 12:32 am

    windelfrei so geht !
    Autor: Lini Lindmayer
    see: http://www.windelfrei.at

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