Gentle Parenting Resources
If you’re new to gentle or peaceful parenting, we’ve collected a big selection of resources, to help you find your feet.
Online
For Dads
1 Awesome Dad: Eric D Greene (Runs two Facebook groups, “Peaceful Parenting community” & “Amazing Awesome Dads”)
Groups
Therapeutic Parenting (focuses on working with foster families and other instances where there is trauma)
Podcasts
Courses
A Fine Parent (run yearly FREE online conferences with 20+ expert speakers)
Books
Top recommendation:
The complete works of Dr Daniel Seigel. Dan Seigel is a neuroscientist who has dedicated most of his career to parenting and children. If you have to choose just one, I’d probably go with The Whole Brain Child. Here’s a synopsis: “ If you want to understand why your young children behave the way they do, this book is for you. Dr. Dan Siegel and Dr Tina Bryson outline how our children’s brains develop and why a three year old simply doesn’t have the capacity to act like a mini adult. Parenting is still difficult, but appreciating our kids are doing the best they can with the tools they have, helps us empathize, support and encourage healthy brain development.Young children are right brain dominant, but what does that mean? As the authors explain the right brain’s emotions rule over the logical left brain, which doesn’t fully mature until the mid-twenties. Whole Brain Child outlines twelve strategies to integrate the left and right brain and explain why, during emotional upsets, some forms of communication work like magic and others are futile. Whole Brain Child makes neuroscience fascinating and accessible to parents, giving practical age-appropriate strategies to make day-to-day struggles easier” If you limit yourself to 2, make it The Whole Brain Child + No Drama Discipline.
Specialised Recommendation - Neuroscience for parents
Greer Kirchenbaum’s book “The Nurture Revolution” (also available as an audio book) is an amazing book to read if you have infants, children, or care for kids in any capacity. It’s like a big warm hug.
Specialised Recommendation - Christian Families
The complete works of L. R. Knost. Her work is actually great for secular parents too, it’s just that she is Christian and has some books that approach parenting from this angle specifically.
Specialised Recommendation - Teens
The Teenage Brain - Dr Frances E Jensen Brainstorm - Dr Dan Seigel
General Recommendations:
Trauma Proofing your Kids - Peter Levine & Maggie Kline
The Conscious Parent - Shefali Tasbary
Positive Parenting - Rebecca Eanes
Connection Parenting - Pam Leo
Raising our children raising ourselves - Naomi Aldort
Raising Human Beings / The Explosive Child - Ross Greene
Raising Children Compassionately - Marshall Rosenberg (Non-violent communication)
How Children Succeed - Paul Tough
How To Raise An Adult - Julie Lythott-Haims
The Gift of Failure - Jessica Lahey
Love and Anger: the parental dilemma - Nancy Samalin
Everyday Blessings - Jon Kabat-Zinn, Myla Kabat-Zinn (focuses on mindfulness techniques for parents)
The Gentle Parent - L. R Knost
Parenting for a Peaceful World / Heart to Heart Parenting - Robin Grille
Siblings without Rivalry / How to talk so kids will listen, how to listen so kids will talk - Adele Faber, Elaine Mazlish
Attached at the Heart - Barbra Nicholson & Lysa Parker
Respectful Parents Respectful Kids - Sura Hart & Victoria Hodson
Playful Parenting - Lawrence Cohen
Beyond Consequences Logic and Control - Heather Forbes & B. Bryan Post
Between Parent and Child - Dr Haim Ginott
Born for Love - Dr Bruce Perry
Positive Discipline - Jane Nelsen
Hold On To Your Kids - Gordon Neufeld & Gabor Mate
It’s OK NOT to share - Heather Shumaker
Unconditional Parenting / Punished by Rewards - Alfie Kohn
Kids: How Biology and Culture Shape the Way We Raise Young Children - Dr Small
Simplicity Parenting - Kim John Payne
Balanced and Barefoot - Angela J Hanscom
Just Babies- The origin of good and evil - Paul Bloom
Mindset - Carol Dweck
The 5 Love Languages of Children - Gary Chapman & Ross Campbell
Dharma Parenting: Understanding your child’s brilliant brain - Robert Keith Wallace & Fredrick Travis
Toddler Tactics - Pinky McKay
The Gentle Discipline Book - Sarah Ockwell Smith