by Tricia L

Created on: July 02, 2010   Last Updated: July 23, 2010

Parenting is often called the hardest job in the world. Everyone has their own parenting approach and ideas about how they want to raise their child, but when all else fails, good parenting books can offer ideas, guidance and support to help make the job a little easier. The following books contain tried and tested parenting advice for children of all ages, (for books specifically about parenting babies try

this article instead).    

* How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk, by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish  

This best seller is an excellent book about how to improve communication skills with children. It gives step by step instructions on improving relationships, based on principles such as respect and building self-esteem. It includes simple but important advice on how to listen properly and how to give effective praise. It can be used to help all relationships, not just those between parents and children. There are cartoon illustrations and exercises to practise. It's an easy read, down to earth and includes plenty of humour.    

* Raising Happiness: 10 Simple Steps for More joyful Kids and Happier Parents, by Christine Carter  

Christine Carter, Ph.D., is a sociologist known for her parenting advice. Using the information scientific studies have discovered about confidence, gratefulness and optimism, Carter has produced a step-by-step approach to raising happy children. Carter writes about happiness skills that can be practised and focuses on getting parents into the right frame of mind to do their job. She believes happiness is something that can be taught to children to; "help them lead good, meaningful, happy lives." A cheerful book to be dipped into in order to keep your spirits up and find happiness in the small things of day to day life.    

*The Pocket Parent, by Gail Reichlin  

As the title suggests, this is a pocket sized book and can be kept in a bag or glove compartment for moments when quick answers are sought. It is aimed at parents of 2 - 5 year olds. One of the strengths of this book is it's organisation. The first section gives an outline of the parenting approach, which is unconditional love with firm boundaries. This is followed by a meticulously detailed A to Z which gives quick and easy access to answers to common parenting issues. It has lots of suggestions, anecdotes and easily followed bullet points. Concise and helpful, this is a superb quick reference

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