As a parent, managing your first child can unravel many surprises. You might find yourself in predicaments which leave you frustrated and confused – knowing how to handle unwelcome situations might require you to delve into some lengthy research and opinions from the experts.

From diet, to sleep scheduling and education, to rule enforcements, these five listed books may cover nearly all of your questions. It isn’t always easy understanding what is best for us, nevermind our little ones.

1. The Common Sense Book of Baby and Child Care

Benjamin Spock’s manual has helped nearly half a million parents in the United States since the 1940s – his book emphasises that parents trust their intuition when it comes to childcare, as “[they] know more than [they] think [they] do”.

Given this reassurance that parents are more than competent, the information provided in the book serves as mere tips and reminders of how to raise and care for your baby.

Spock’s psychoanalytic training allows for a comprehensive review of child-rearing, covering topics like how to clothe, hold, prepare, toilet train, speak to, and reinforce positive behaviour in your child. For older children, topics such as sicknesses, school, fatherless children, and mental illnesses are covered.

By recommending parents to ultimately depend on their own decisions when raising a child, he illuminates the importance of “natural loving care”, as his profession as a pediatrician allowed him to conclude that a parent’s instincts were normally accurate.

2. First Time Parent

This book is unlike those that propose unrealistic measures in caring for a first child – Lucy Atkins covers the actual questions that tend to run through a new parents’ mind. Given the book’s tone of level-headed reassurance, the First Time Parent eases a newborn parents nerves.

This manual goes over 11 crucial issues starting with the first few hours after birth, surviving the first couple days, sleep scheduling, what to do when your baby cries, eating tips, your baby’s physical and mental growth, playtime, health considerations, adapting to your new life and relationships with family and friends, coping with work, single parenting, and adoption.

The First Time Parent is both a guide and consoling best friend for those harsh first couple of months; it is highly recommended for those petrified with the idea of becoming a parent as well as the intricacies of caring for another little vulnerable human.

3. Life Hacks for Parents

This cheat sheet to becoming a parent is geared towards how to cope with parental stress rather than how to look after your children. Filled with ingenious shortcuts and everyday tricks, Life Hacks for Parents has helped parents solve incredibly nerve wracking situations with ease.

Given its portability, the manual is perfect for back pocket storage, free for access at any point in the day. Some handy how-to techniques covered in the book range from cleaning, tidying up, outdoors play, First Aid, safety, food and drinks, arts and crafts, and early morning hacks.

Those rough situations are made simple given this manual’s practicality – a sure quick fix given any distressing encounter.

4. 13 Things Mentally Strong Parents Don’t Do

Foster parent, psychotherapist, and teen therapist Amy Morin published a novel introducing parents to a lifestyle in which the importance of a mentally strong and resilient household is enforced. In order to cope with life’s challenges, it is recommended that parents don’t coddle their children, for it breeds young adults that are unprepared for the increasingly difficult circumstances of everyday life.

Morin provides the outline for those seeking to become mental strength trainers, telling parents what “not to do” rather than what to do. She claims this technique is effective in raising strong individuals, for it still allows the parents some flexibility in their own parenting styles.

Morin’s novel has information drawn from case studies giving light to useful practical tips, specific strategies, and exercises in which are likely to bolster the inner strength of your child.

With appropriate guidance, discipline, encouragement, and respect, children following this model are expected to flourish academically, socially, emotionally, and interpersonally.

5. Children, Animal, and Energy

Lisa Mohr’s self help book allows for parents to better understand the invisible thread that unites them with their children. She emphasises the importance of better understanding “energy hygiene” and how to maintain it, for it allows for better connections and relationships given its maintenance and care.

Mohr provides pages in which you are able to take notes, keeping up with your progress as well as your own reflections and suggestions for improvement.

By avoiding the poisonous moods that take over our minds, Mohr goes on to explain how we allow for a cleaner atmosphere when we are with our children – bad attitudes are infectious, and the last thing we want is to contaminate our children with bad energy at such a vulnerable and stage in their lives.

This wholesome and insightful guide has many high reviews, as it is kept simple, reminding us of how important positivity and gentleness to ourselves and others can be.

Final Thoughts

Even on the rougher days, it is crucial to remain strong and level headed as being the role model in a household doesn’t allow for error (at least not TOO much error). Creating an environment in which your children grow strong, happy, resilient, disciplined, and confident takes work and patience.

There are days where you may want to throw your self help guide tip kit at a wall and break down and cry – but your wailing toddler won’t pity you. It is your responsibility to take control and remain strong.

Children spend the majority of their childhoods in the presence of their parents, observing their behaviours and attitudes. By following the tips outlined in these five books, parents come to better understand the significance of love, time, validation, praise, rights, structure, and limited exposure to sex, drugs, and violence, all factors that can make or break a child.

Despite this, remember not to lose control of your life – having children may dominate the majority of your time, but do not succumb to bitterness and intolerance.

They’ll grow up to thank you one day!

At Harmony we are committed to the well being of your child in both mind and body. Want to take a look for yourself? Please contact us to schedule a meeting or book a tour to see if our holistic approach to early learning is the right fit for your child!