Recommended Parenting Books

1. Between Parent & Child, Dr. Haim Ginott.

   In this parenting book Dr. Ginott helps parents remember their humanness while teaching them how to empower their children. Powerful techniques and tools. Macmillan Co., New York, 1965 (Also Between Parent and Teenager, Macmillan, New York, 1969.)

2. Children: The Challenge, Rudolf Dreikurs, M.D., with Vicki Soltz, R.N.

   Based on Alfred Adler's work, this book is considered a classic by many. Although theoretical, it is simply and thoroughly explained. "People, despite all their individual differences and abilities, have equal claims to dignity and respect," is the foundation of Dr. Dreikur's theory. E. P. Dutton, NY, 1964. (Also A Parent's Guide to Child Discipline. Hawthorne Books, New York, 1970.)

3. The Complete Book of Pregnancy and Childbirth, Sheila Kitzinger.

   The name says it all! Knopf, New York, 1981.

4. "Don't Stop Loving Me": A Reassuring Guide For Mothers of Adolescents, Ann F. Caron, Ed.D.

   Adolescents are different. What works with children up to the ages of 11 or 12 will not necessarily work when the hormones start raging. This book is invaluable for learning what happens at adolescence, what children want and need at that age, and how to give it. Harper Perennial, New York, 1992.

5. Growing Up Free: Raising Your Child in the 80's, Letty Cottin Pogrebin.

   This book is a powerful example of how raising children with sexism is dangerous to their well-being. Bantam Books, New York, 1980.

6. How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk, Adele Faber & Elaine Mazlish.

   Applications of the theories of Dr. Haim Ginot. Emphasis is on communication between parent and child. The techniques offered are helpful to any interpersonal human relationships. Workbook exercises are very helpful. One of the best. Avon, New York, 1980.

7. Liberated Parents, Liberated Children, Adele Faber & Elaine Mazlish.

   This book is a result of the authors participating in Dr. Haim Ginott's workshops. Highly anecdotal and a great way to remember how to apply the theories. Avon, New York, 1974.

8. The Measure of Our Success, Marian Wright Edelman.

   We're invited to listen in as a loving and extraordinarily committed mother gives her children lessons to live by. Beacon Press, Boston, 1992.

9. Mother Daughter Revolution, Elizabeth Debold, Marie Wilson and Idelisse Malav'e.

   In their Introduction, the authors state: "We began to realize that raising a daughter is an extremely political act in this culture. Mothers have been placed in a no-win situation with their daughters: if they teach their daughters simply how to get along in a world that has been shaped by men and male desires, then they betray their daughters' potential. But, if they do not, they leave their daughters adrift in a hostile world without survival strategies. Being stubborn and/or hopeful and/or naive, we persisted: What if mothers and daughters were to join as powerful allies in withstanding the pressures on girls to give up and give in? We smelled the potential for revolution." Bantam Books, New York, 1994.

10. Nurturing Parent: How to Raise Creative, Loving, Responsible Children, John S. Dacey, Ph.D., and Alex J. Packer, Ph.D.

    A new approach to parenting that shows parents of children from five to adolescence how to foster the formation of positive values and cultivate the personality traits that help children make sound and sensitive decisions. One of Morty=s favorite parenting books. Fireside, Simon & Schuster, New York, 1992.

11. Reviving Ophelia, Mary Pipher, Ph.D.

    Many informative case histories that show the impact of the "larger cultural forces" that impact girls today. Ballantine Books, New York, 1994.

12. Positive Discipline, Jane Nelson.

    Based on the teachings of Adler & Dreikurs, this book gives practical applications of the theories. This is an important book for understanding democratic childrearing. Sunrise Press, Fairoaks, CA, 1981.

13. Positive Discipline for Teenagers: Resolving Conflict with Your Teenage Son or Daughter, Jane Nelsen and Lynn Lott.

    If you have a teenager and can only read one book, this is it. It is filled with brilliant tools for encouraging self-actualization and building healthy self-esteem. If you are looking for an effective way to raise your teenagers without having to Acontrol@ them, this is the book for you. Prima Publishing, Rocklin, CA, 1991.

14. Raising Children For Success, H. Stephen Glenn with Jane Nelson.

    Excellent reading for parents of children seven or eight and up. The purpose of this book is to help parents make changes in attitudes and perceptions that can help children find success and happiness. "Parenting can be seen as a chore and a burden or as an adventure with unlimited possibilities." Sunrise Press, Fairoaks, CA, 1987.

15. Revolution From Within: A Book of Self-Esteem, Gloria Steinem.

    Having led a social revolution against sexual and racial barriers of the past two decades, Gloria Steinem now connects that external revolution to a necessary internal revolution of spirit and consciousness. This is her personal journey, along with research and reportage on the meaning of self-esteem in this country and around the world. Little, Brown and Company, Boston, 1992.

16. Siblings Without Rivalry, Faber & Mazlish.

    A whole new paradigm for raising siblings. An extremely exciting book. Avon, New York, 1987.

17. Talking with Your Child About Sex, Dr. Mary S. Calderone & Dr. James W. Ramey.

    Questions and Answers for Children from birth to puberty. This book is helpful in that it is divided into ages so you only need to read the age-appropriate sections. Random House, New York, 1982.

18. Whole Child/Whole Parent, Polly Berrien Berends.

    This book incorporates both an in-depth look at the spiritual side of parenting along with thorough chapters on equipment, toys, books, and setting up a nursery. It is divided into ages and stages from prenatal to preschool. Harper & Row, New York, 1983.

19. Your Child's Self-Esteem, Dorothy Corkille Briggs.

    Self-image is your child's most important characteristic. How to help create strong feelings of self-worth is the central challenge for every parent and teacher. The formula for how is spelled out in this book. Doubleday Dolphin, New York, 1970.