Recommended Books for Raising Kids

I have read several books about babies and raising kids over the years.  Most of them probably when I was pregnant with Magnolia because I didn't care much about anything else at the time!  Some of the books I have read didn't really give me much insight on what babies and kids are truly like even though before having any kids (when I was doing all of this reading) I thought I was fully informed about what motherhood was going to be like.  The more kids we bring into our family, the more I realize that flexibility and being in tune to each individual child's personality is key, as well as not getting used to anything because kids (especially babies) change so often that everything is a phase, good or bad.  The following books are ones that I have read and would highly recommend to all of the mothers out there.  Some of these I have read more than once because they are good reminders at different stages of childhood.

1. Bringing up Girls by Dr. James Dobson Its scary raising kids in our world today, especially little girls, and Dr. Dobson's advice on tackling all the hard questions is based on biblical principles.  This book is a wonderful guide to raising girls to make good decisions as they grow up.

2. The Mission of Motherhood by Sally Clarkson No calling is greater, nobler, or more fulfilling than that motherhood. Every day, as we nurture our children, mothers influence eternal destiny as no one else can. Today’s culture minimizes the vital importance of a mother’s role. By catching a vision of God’s original design and allowing it to shape your life, you can rediscover the joy and fulfillment to be found in the strategic role to which God in all his wisdom has called you, for a purpose far greater than you can ever imagine. 


3. The Ministry of Motherhood by Sally Clarkson Another great book by Sally Clarkson.  This book is about following Christ's example to reach the hearts of our children.  Because motherhood isn't a job, it's a calling.  Great reminders in this book that as mothers, we are to be the example of Christ to our kids. 

4. The 5 Love Languages of Children by Gary Chapman  Please read this book!  It's a quick and easy read that MAKES SO MUCH SENSE!  Every person has their own love language that makes them feel loved.  There are 5 different ones and while you may think you are obviously showing your love for your child, you may actually be missing their language and not connecting with them.  Also read Gary Chapman's book The 5 Love Languages to find out what your and your spouse's languages are.

5. Simplicity Parenting by Lisa M. Ross  I strive to live a life more simply and raise my children that way, but more often than not the consumerism and materialism of our culture sucks me in.  I want my kids to grow up being appreciative of the simple things and not get bogged down and overwhelmed by stuff.  This book is a wonderful encouragement for pursuing a more simple life.

6. Bringing up Bebe by Pamela Druckerman   This book showed up on my doorstep one day courtesy of Amazon and my mother in law.  I began reading and couldn't put it down.  It's wonderfully written and reads like you are having a conversation with a girl friend.  The author finds when she moves to France with a young child that motherhood is a whole different experience in France.  My sister borrowed this book and loved it too!