In my work as a therapist, I am often asked by parents I work with to recommend readings or books that may provide insight and information on a topic with which they are struggling. And while I tend to steer away from handing out books, as I often worry that more information does not always lead to greater clarity or more profound insight, there are times when providing a person with this type of resource can offer a source of support and a new perspective for a continuing challenge. But, let’s face it- there is a whole industry that has been built around writing books for parents. There are stacks and stacks of books on every possible parenting-related topic. So, how does one even know where to begin? Well, I’d like to try to help. I intend to share with you my recommendations of books for parents on topics related to social-emotional development. Most of these books I use in my private practice or in my work with teacher and childcare providers, and I believe that they all bring something different to the vast and overpopulated field of “Parenting Literature”.

Parenting From the Inside Out, by Daniel Siegel and Mary Hartzell is a parenting book that is quite different from many of the others I have read. Written by a child psychiatrist and an early childhood educator, this book aims not to tell parents what they should be doing but rather, it sets out to help parents understand why they parent in the way they do. By examining and exploring one’s own childhood experiences and how those experiences shape and continue to influence the decisions and choices one makes as a parent, this book attempts to offer steps towards greater understanding and self-awareness. Equipped with this deeper self-understanding, one can then make more informed choices and decisions as a parent. Every chapter offers “exercises” for the reader to go deeper in his/her self-exploration, and also offers resources for those wanting more information on certain topics. There is also a great deal of information, due to Dr. Siegel’s professional work in this area, on how relationships and interactions can impact and shape how a child’s brain develops. Overall, I have found this book to be a valuable addition to a parent’s library, especially for those parents who may have found themselves wondering about the “why” of parenting rather than the “how to” of parenting!