16 Recommended Parenting Books by Moms

1. Raising Godly Kids by Harold J. Sala
When children know that they are loved and accepted regardless of what happens, this gives them the confidence. It is what the children need more than toys, computers, clothes and anything else you can think of.

I learned that we live by example so if they see something is wrong with us, they will adapt. Values are caught, NOT taught, and there are no second chances with parenting. If we fail, we can’t just go back and erase and start over again. We have to deal with the consequence of our action. This book helped me realize the importance of time, love and showing good behavior towards others. - Irene Serquena-Garcia, 34, travel agent, mom of 3 year old Sebastian and 9 months old Syrus

 

2. Bringing Up a Dream Child by Juhi Aggarwal
My father was a real disciplinarian and I got spanked almost daily until I was 15. This caused me so much insecurities, fear and trauma as I grew up. When I gave birth to my son, I promised myself that I will never lay my hand on him. I kept researching on how to become an effective and rational parent when I encountered a good review on this book. When I read the whole content and practiced some of the teachings, I was really amazed to the transformation it created not only in me but in my son as well. Now, it serves as my parenting bible. - Janice Ferrer Matias,  Finance Officer, mom to Edward Rafael Inigo F. Matias

 

3. Shepherding a Child's Heart by Tedd Trip
I'm glad that I've encountered this book early on while I was a new parent (now I have 3 kids). It provides a biblical perspective on parenting and practical ways to do it. It explains our role as parents and addresses the issues of the child's heart, not focusing on the externals. Author Tedd Tripp states, "The central focus of parenting is the Gospel. You need to direct not simply the behavior of your children, but the attitudes of their hearts." - Loralee Emperador, 37, full-time homemaker, mom to  Ethan (12), Ivan (9) & Zaby (7)

 

4. Parenting is Heart work by Scott Turansky
I believe that unless you deal with a child through his or her heart, you are not likely to see lasting change when parenting and mentoring him. This is what this book is all about, how to influence our child's heart. - Karen V. Cabezon, full time housewife and homeschooling mom, with 2 kids aged 15 months and 8 years old

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5. The Parenting Book by Fr. Chuck Gallagher
This book highlights the perspective of the parent-child relationship being a reflection of the state of the husband-wife relationship. The child’s perception of the parents’ husband-wife relationship will be the basis of his childhood memories, his/her identity and personality development, his/her sense of belonging to (his/her) family, and his/her own relationships when he/she becomes an adult.

It leaves the reader mulling the message that “the best way to be a father is to love their only mother, and the best way to be a mother is to love their only father.” The line from the book that struck me most was: “Who we are and what we do now – and in the future – (as husband and wife) is the best gift and inheritance we (parents) can give our children.” - Fe and Mani Gloria, 59 years old, parents to Gingging, 37, and Alan, 30

 

6. Welcome to Club Mom by Leslie Spirson
I find this book very funny but so very real. The synopsis says the book is about things your doctor doesn't tell you and your mother has forgotten.

I find the author very witty to cleverly talk about pregnancy, parenting, and relationships. It points out small things, like while pregnant, your normal malling hours would change because of constant trips to the comfort room, and that you will sometimes feel ugly, and how your husband would need to develop patience on you and how you would need to understand him. It will also make you notice that the day you learn you are pregnant is the you would smile to every baby you see in the grocery store.

Then, the book talks about things to expect after giving birth, how some of your outlook will transform, and Cookie Monster will become your favorite rock star. It also somehow prepares you on what to expect from your relationship with your husband, with your in-laws, and even with your own parents, when raising the child. - Grace Sharlyne Ramos, mother to Brienne Cheska, 14 years old, and Bianca Ysabelle, 4 years old

 

7. Dr. Spock's Baby and Childcare
This book has been very much around and new parents today still find it reliable. I recommend the latest edition which tackles issues emerging in our society like the media, computers and drugs. In this book, I learned not to immediately pick up the baby when he's crying. For as long as he's well fed, has been changed, unhurt, he need not be picked up. I might even need to disappear from his sight so he can learn to soothe himself and cope. Also, that spoiling doesn't start until the baby reaches 6 months old. - Dinah Libunao, 36, Digital media head, mom to DJ, 14 years old and Gabby, 13 years old

 

8. Chicken Soup for the Soul – Parenthood by Jack Canfield
I love reading the experiences shared by different parents. Mentioned on this book are the variety of ways parenting situations can be handled. It also covers disciplining teens which I already worry about. - Weng Cortes, 29 , full time housewife, mother to Rain, 8 years old and Chira, 4 years old

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9. What To Expect When You Are Expecting by Heidi Murkoff and Sharon Mazel
All the questions I ever had about my pregnancy and, later on, with regard to bringing up my daughter I found in this book. In fact, I have all four volumes to prepping yourself prior to getting pregnant, when you are pregnant, what to expect the first year and what to expect the second year. - Chrissy Yu, 30, Project Manager, mom to Hailey, 16 months

 

10. Magic Trees of the Mind (How to Nurture Your Child's Intelligence, Creativity, and Healthy Emotions from Birth Through Adolescence) by Marian Diamond, Ph.D. and Janet Hopson
I chose this book because it gives scientific, logical and practical insights on brain development and how we, as parents, can nurture our children's intelligence and provide an environment that will nurture and stimulate them in all domains of development.  What I like about the author is her conclusions are backed up by empirical data. It answers the following questions (taken from the back of the book):

How does a child's mind grow?
Is our capacity for learning and creativity limited by our genetic makeup?
The best tip here: expose your children to books at an early age.  Love for reading opens the doors to language development.  Kids who are exposed to books do better in school and at work. - Mary Rose Pascual, lawyer, mom to 6-year-old twins Martin Gabriel and Miguel Lorenzo

 

11. Baby and Child by Penelope Leach
Each section includes information on expected developmental milestones and patterns in the areas of sleep, eating, "crying and comforting," speech, and physical growth. I like her style as what it states in the book "the happier you can make your baby, the more you will enjoy being with her, and the more you enjoy her, the happier she will be." - Reynalyn Dejan-Cambier, 36, former flight attendant, mom to Mathieu Ryan Cambier, 16 months

 

12. Discipline Without Shouting or Spanking by Jerry Wyckoff and Barbara Unell
Growing up I was only exposed to spanking as a form of discipline. I see it everywhere. The first time I lost my patience with my daughter I spanked her hand. I immediately felt guilty after I saw her reaction. She looked scared and confused. Her eyes were asking me, "Why?" That incident broke my heart and when I saw this book in some bazaar, I bought it in a heartbeat. With the book I learned that there are other ways of disciplining my child without me feeling guilty about it. I learned to use "Time Outs" and I try as much as possible not to raise my voice. I learned how to communicate better with her when she was growing up and I'm happy that it worked. I'm crossing my fingers that it too will work for my son. - Krystyna Quimpo, freelance writer, mom to Alyssa, 11 years old and Andre, 3 years old

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13. From No to Yes without Bribing or Threatening by Jerry Wyckoff and Barbara Unell
As an Occupational Therapist, I know how important it is to make a "No" child cooperate. This book tells it in a language any parent can understand, the long-term effects of bribing and threatening and positive prodding. - Sunshine Triviño Ayala, 33, mom to Andrea Krishien, 9 years old

 

14. The Power of a Praying Parent by Stormie Omartian
I believe in the power of prayer knowing that God is and will be in control of things I cannot, even when it comes to my child. When I pray the prayer guide, it somehow helps me work on things in myself as well, helps me see my errors and be able to do better.

Also knowing that it's your direct contact with the greatest parent of all, God, I know I can't go wrong. The other book I am planning to get is A Mother's guide to praying for her children by Quinn Sherrer. - Cai L. Shafer, assistant pre-school teacher, mom to Keira, 7 years old

 

15. Love Your Child by D. Ross Campbell, M.D.
I like the book because there are a lot of things that made me realize the importance of having that "connection" with your child. I also learned that merely providing them with "what they say they need" is not enough. I highly recommend it, as I learned so much from it. - Eleanor Yap-Manalo, 39, full-time mom to Elijah and Jacob

 

16. Chicken Soup for the Soul on Raising Kids on the Spectrum by Dr. Rebecca Landa
It's an inspirational book written and shared by parents of children with special needs. The stories and anecdotes are real and come from the heart. It makes one realize that one is not alone and there is hope and support from the community and people around. - Milcah Guevarra-Waltheer, 42, nurse, mom to Julia, 9 years old