8 Parenting Books You Need to Own (and Read)

I read quite a lot. I am one of those oddballs who, when I start a book, I am going to finish it. It doesn’t matter how bad the book is, or how long it takes me to read it, I am going to fight my way through. Each year, I strive to read a large number of books. This year, my goal is 61 (60, plus the Bible). [By the way, if you’d like to follow my progress, follow this Pinterest board.]

Over the years, I have come across several parenting books that I really like. While I may not agree with every word in each of these volumes, they have helped me in various ways. Here are 8 that I think you would benefit from (in no particular order).

1. Game Plan by Joe Wells. While this book is primarily aimed at teenagers and their parents, this is a great volume to read before the teen years set in. Joe sets up strategies for confronting our modern, anti-God culture in a very straightforward manner. Get this book on your Kindle for just $9.99.

2. Plugged-In Parenting by Bob Waliszewski. Whether we want to believe it or not, the media plays a huge role in the lives of our children. This book, by the director of Focus on the Family’s “Plugged In” group, provides parents with knowledge and resources to help their children make wise decisions. This is not a “turn off all the media” kind of book. Instead, it is honest and wise. You may not agree with every conclusion, but this book will make you think. This volume is also just $9.99 on Kindle.

3. Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters by Dr. Meg Meeker. If you have a daughter, dads, you simply must read this book. It is a fairly quick read, but it will really make you consider strongly the power of your role in the life of your girl, no matter her age. This book does a great job of not browbeating dads who might not be living up to the standard they know they should, but encouraging them to step up and build up their girls. Just $8.44 on Kindle.

4. Headed to the Office by Glenn Colley. Aimed at teenage boys, I think parents need to read this book. This book takes the qualifications of elders and applies them to the lives of our young men, trying to instill in them an aspiration to be all that God would want them to be. It is designed for a classroom setting, but makes a great read for anyone interested in young men. I think parents would benefit greatly. This quick read is only $5.95 on Kindle.

5. Bringing Up Boys by Dr. James Dobson***. The longest book on our list, this volume is also one of the most well-researched. Dobson, of Focus on the Family fame, writes about nearly any aspect of raising a young man that you can think of. This book will contain some things you do not agree with, I’m sure, but you will also find it to be a very good “survey-style” read for your library. You will probably find yourself coming back to certain chapters several times. The chapter on homosexuality alone is worth your time. Kindle saves you a lot on this long book, as it is just $8.63.

6. Raising Real Men by Hal and Melanie Young. I really like this book for its brevity as well as its straightforward approach. This volume celebrates young men and shows that their “energy” and other qualities should be harnessed for good. This is a very practical book with good suggestions. If you homeschool, you will find some of the sections more practical than those who do not, but every parent can glean from this work. Just $9.99 on Kindle.

7. Daddy Dates by Greg Wright. This short book is so powerful. For dads of girls, this book will take you just a couple of hours to read, but could change how you spend your time with your daughter. I am not as regular with my “dates” with Mary Carol as I should be, but I’m not sure I would have had any had it not been for this book. The volume shares how one man used these dates as a way to win the hearts of his four girls. It will help you demonstrate real manhood before your daughter. It is just $6.80 on Kindle.

8. Raising Boys by Design by Gregory L. Jantz and Michael Gurian. A very unique book, this volume combines Biblical truth with brain science. It talks about how boys are wired, and does more than speak in general terms; instead, sharing the science behind why boys react in certain ways. While you may have trouble with some of the medical jargon, don’t let that keep you away from this book. I rarely mark in my books, and this volume has quite a number of stars and underlines. This book, released in late 2013, is still just $7.99 on Kindle.

***Dobson has also written Bringing Up Girls, but I have not read that volume yet. I hope to soon.

QUESTION: What did we miss? What are other parenting books you would recommend? Leave you suggestions in the comments!

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