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Expert advice

11th Aug 2023

Parenting expert shares the four books he believes all parents should read

Jody Coffey

He recommends all parents add these to their reading lists.

Nothing about parenting is straight-forward and often one person’s advice will contradict another’s, making it even more confusing.

However, one parenting expert on TikTok has shared his top reads for narrowing down what’s most important and cutting through all of the noise.

Eran Katz, a clinical psychologist, parenting counsellor and coach, as well as a husband, and a father, has given his list of recommendations to narrow down your search.

Below are the four books, written by experts in their respective fields, that Katz thinks all mums and dads could learn a lot from.

Strange Situation by Bethany Saltman

This one is inspired by the author’s own experience as a parent, and, as a daughter, which is arguably more important.

It is said to be an investigative read of the controversial and often misunderstood science of attachment theory.

When Saltman, who is a professional researcher and writer, gave birth to her daughter, Azalea, she felt something was missing, despite loving her deeply.

This prompted her to reflect on her own teenage years and early adulthood, and her discovery of the science of attachment, which is the psychology that explores the question of why love exists between parents and children, from an evolutionary point of view.

The book aims to take readers on an emotional journey through one mother’s reckoning with her own past and her family’s future and give them the tools to better understand their own life histories and their relationships today.

No-Drama Discipline by Daniel J. Siegel, MD and Tine Payne Bryson, PhD

If you have read The Whole-Brain Child or The Yes Brain, you’ll recognise the two author’s of this book, which endeavours to tackle the ultimate parenting challenge: discipline.

The research highlights the link between a child’s neurological development and the way a parent reacts to misbehaviour.

No-Drama Discipline hopes to provide an effective, compassionate road map for dealing with tantrums, tensions, and tears, equip parents with strategies and discover their own discipline philosophy, and break the cycle of negative behaviour and punishment to bring both parents and offspring to a win/win resolution.

Neurodharma by Rick Hanson, PhD

A follow-up of Hanson’s Buddha’s Brain, the New York Times bestselling author explores the new neuroscience of awakening.

It also is said to offer a daring yet achievable plan for reverse-engineering peak experiences, and help with providing a sense of oneness, and even enlightenment itself.

Neuro Dharma has seven practices to promote strength of the neural circuitry to bring readers to a place of profound contentment and inner peace – qualities that offer support in daily life while also supporting the exploration of the most radical reaches of human consciousness.

@apparentlyparent Best parenting books. #parentingbooks #parentingtok #bookwormcheck ♬ Audio (feat. Sia, Diplo & Labrinth) – LSD

Attachment-Focused Parenting by Daniel A. Hughes

In this read, expert clinician Daniel A. Hughes is on a mission to bring attachment theory into the toolbox of parenting skills.

While terms like ‘attachment security’ and ‘affect regulation’ have been widely successful when put into practice in therapy circles, they have yet to be effectively translated to parenting practice itself – until now.

This book brings aims to bring attachment work into the family home and forefront of parents minds, hoping to equip caregivers with practical parenting techniques rooted in attachment theory and research.

Have you read any of the above titles? If so, we’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!

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