Toys & Gifts Books The 7 Best Parenting Books of 2023 By Cheryl Lock Cheryl Lock Cheryl Lock is a Denver-based writer and editor who has written for Parents, Woman's Day, Business Insider, USA Today, Family Circle, Runner's World, and more. Learn about our editorial process Updated on April 25, 2022 Medically reviewed by Ann-Louise T. Lockhart, PsyD, ABPP Medically reviewed by Ann-Louise T. Lockhart, PsyD, ABPP Facebook LinkedIn Ann-Louise T. Lockhart, PsyD, ABPP, is a board-certified pediatric psychologist, parent coach, author, speaker, and owner of A New Day Pediatric Psychology, PLLC. Learn about our Medical Review Board Print We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products. Healthcare professionals review articles for medical accuracy. Learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. Parenting is, arguably, one of the hardest (and most rewarding) things that we do as adults. We all know that kids don’t come with instructions—even though parents often wish they did. In place of a universal manual are parenting books that can help you every step of the way. Reviewed & Approved "The Happiest Baby on the Block" uses a blend of proven science and ancient wisdom to guide parents through some easy ways to get their babies to stop crying, among other things. For toddlers, we recommend "How Toddlers Thrive." Whether you’re about to start potty training, are going through a big transition, or simply trying to understand a developmental phase, consider the author's tone, credentials, and relevance before purchasing. We carefully evaluated books for their subject matter, author credentials, voice and tone, relevance, and value when reviewing products. Here are the parenting books we trust the most. Our Top Picks Best for New Parents: The Happiest Baby on the Block at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Toddlers: How Toddlers Thrive at Amazon Jump to Review Best Christian: Parenting at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Behavior Issues: Parenting the Strong-Willed Child at Amazon Jump to Review Best Potty Training: Oh Crap! Potty Training at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Nervous Parents: How to Raise an Adult at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Teaching Character: How Children Succeed at Amazon Jump to Review In This Article Expand Our Picks What to Look For FAQ Best for New Parents The Happiest Baby on the Block Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon "The Happiest Baby on the Block" ranks high on our list because Dr. Karp has been dispensing advice to new parents for decades about how to best care for their babies (and maybe get a little shut-eye themselves, while they’re at it), and his techniques are still used today. Dr. Karp uses a blend of proven science and ancient wisdom to guide parents through some easy ways to get their babies to stop crying, among other things. Using Dr. Karp’s famous 5 “S’s” (swaddling, putting the baby on their side or stomach, making shushing noises, swinging the baby, and giving them a way to suck), parents have been safely and effectively calming their crying babies for years and years. Price at time of publication: $30 Best for Toddlers How Toddlers Thrive: What Parents Can Do Today for Children Ages 2-5 to Plant the Seeds of Lifelong Success Amazon View On Amazon While every new stage of parenting might seem like the most difficult, when your baby becomes a toddler, things really start to change. Suddenly your baby is walking and talking, and has plenty of opinions, to boot. Dr. Tovah Klein, the author of this toddler-parenting tome, uses the book to teach parents of children ages two to five how to harness the power of the toddler mind during a time that’s crucial to their brain development. Pointing out research that indicates how the seeds for adult success are planted during the toddler years, Dr. Klein explains to readers what they can do today to install key qualities like resilience, self-reliance, self-regulation, and empathy in their kids so that they are ready to take on the world when they start school. Price at time of publication: $19 Best Christian Parenting: 14 Gospel Principles That Can Radically Change Your Family Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart Parents hoping to use their faith as a guiding light when it comes to parenting will find a great resource in this took by Paul David Tripp. Winner of the ECPA Book of the Year Award for Christian Living, Tripp confronts the pressure that most parents feel to do everything right and to raise good children, and talks about how this might lead parents to lose sight of their ultimate purpose as parents. Pointing out the big-picture view of God’s plan for parents and outlining 14 foundational principles centered on the gospel, Tripp shows parents how their faith can provide them with the grace that has the power to shape what they do as parents if they let it. Price at time of publication: $23 Best for Behavior Issues Parenting the Strong-Willed Child: The Clinically Proven Five-Week Program for Parents of Two- to Six-Year-Olds Amazon View On Amazon Dr. Rex Forehand and Dr. Nicholas Long use their expertise to help parents achieve discipline through positive reinforcement. Their five-week program has been clinically proven to provide the tools parents need to successfully manage their children’s disruptive behavior and help develop a more positive atmosphere in the home. The revised version includes new research-based information about child temperament, as well as a new section on how to collaborate on discipline with your child’s preschool teachers, among other things. Price at time of publication: $18 Best Potty Training Oh Crap! Potty Training: Everything Modern Parents Need to Know to Do It Once and Do It Right Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Bookdepository.com Just the idea of potty training often elicits groans of dread from parents—but it doesn’t have to. Jamie Glowacki’s book takes the task of potty training and breaks it down into easy-to-digest morsels of information that parents can follow to, as she puts it in her title, do it once and do it right. Her six-step process has already worked for tens of thousands of kids and their parents, and with a 4.3-star rating and over 800 reviews, the proof is in the potty. Price at time of publication: $18 The 10 Best Potty Training Books of 2023 Best for Nervous Parents How to Raise an Adult Amazon View On Amazon It’s one thing to help guide your child through life, and another to over-parent, as it were. Today there is a term for this type of parenting—helicopter parenting—and Julie Lythcott-Haims uses research, conversations with experts, and her own insights as a mom and student dean to highlight just how this type of parenting can actually do more harm than good. The book is relevant to parents with kids of any age, really, although there may be something extra helpful in there for parents of teens. The book is a No. 1 best seller in the parenting teenagers category. Price at time of publication: $18 Best for Teaching Character How Children Succeed: Grit, Curiosity, and the Hidden Power of Character Amazon View On Amazon All parents want their children to succeed, but perhaps the secret to helping them get there lies in more than just their math and science skills. At least that’s the argument that Paul Tough makes in this book, suggesting that the qualities that matter more in life have to do with character and skills like perseverance, curiosity, optimism, and self-control. This book is a best seller in the category of decision-making and problem solving and has hundreds of rave reviews. Price at time of publication: $17 What to Look for in Parenting Books Author Credentials Anyone can write a parenting book from first-time moms to PhDs, MDs, and everything in between. Make sure you’re getting reliable advice by flipping to the author bio on the back cover. Voice Peruse the parenting aisle of your local bookshop and you’ll find books that range from comedic to cerebral. Before making your purchase, be sure to thumb through the first few pages to make sure you identify with the author’s voice and tone. Relevance A book on breastfeeding won’t serve a parent who’s about to send their child to college. Look for books that speak to issues that are relevant to you based on your kids ages and life stages. Frequently Asked Questions What are some common parenting challenges? During periods of transition as major as moving to a new state or as routine as going back to school, it's normal to encounter some parenting challenges. Additionally, anticipating your child’s next developmental phase can pose difficulties for many parents. It's ever the more reason to invest in parenting books, which can bring an expert’s perspective to unchartered parenting territory. What are the best ways to bond with your kids? Conversing with your kids can be one of the best ways to feel closer to them—and that means talking, yes, but also listening. Asking questions can help them open up as can initiating conversations while participating in activities they enjoy. In fact, anything you do with your kids—be it errands or a memorable outing—can help you bond with your kids, especially when you’re able to give them your full attention. What are the most common discipline mistakes? Some experts believe that disciplining a child’s emotions—i.e., “stop being so dramatic!”—rather than their behavior is one of the biggest mistakes you can make. If your child throws a toy as a result of anger, you can discipline them for breaking the rules. But make it clear that you aren’t punishing them for being angry, and be sure to help them recognize their emotion and work on coping mechanisms to work through it. What is the most important thing to know about parenting? The most important thing to know about parenting is that no matter what parenting books and peers tell you, there’s no one right way to raise a child. If you have good intentions and love your child unconditionally, you’re not likely to get it wrong. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit