6 Must Read Christian Parenting Books that can Change your Family
The nurse at the hospital handed me my newborn son and said goodbye and good luck!
What the most important job in my life and there are no instructions!
Like most new parents, I was terrified we would mess something up…like his life.
So I began seeking wisdom by joining groups, reading books on many topics, and talking to others who had gone before me.
I was determined to learn more about this thing called parenting which I felt ill-equipped to handle.
I also read many Christian parenting books, so I could teach my children about Jesus and the love and freedom He offered; the path to a more hope-filled, peaceful life.
I hoped to raise children that would become adults of strong character; people who loved God. People I would like to hang out with.
When my children were young, we would huddle together and read books before bedtime. I loved reading to my kids and cherished this tradition.
One night when my oldest child was ten years old, he looked at me, after our nighttime ritual, and said, “You know mom, I can read now and can start reading by myself at night.”
Oh my gosh, that moment when I realized he was growing up!
But read alone he did, and I had to accept that our reading time had one less, very cute listener.
My love for reading Christian parenting books continued, and I also began to read online and listen to podcasts.
Christian Parenting Books Transform our Parenting Journey
The challenges, setbacks, changes, and opportunities that have crossed my parenting path have helped me adjust and adapt as a parent.
I am still a work in progress, but have come a long way from the clueless momma leaving the hospital!
There are six Christian parenting books that helped transform my parenting journey. I use them as resources and still refer to the knowledge found in these six books.
As I head to the finish line with two of our children or the stage where our kids are fully independent, I am thankful for the wisdom from these six Christian parenting books.
You may not agree with every word of every Christian parenting book I have listed, but each one provided me with helpful insights and illuminated ideas and strategies.
“Point your kids in the right direction, when they’re old they won’t be lost.”
Proverbs 22:6 MSG
Christian Parenting Books that Teach Empathy
Reading Christian parenting books that teach empathy is one tool that helps us understand ourselves and others.
I studied personality types 20 years ago out of personal interest and fascination with people. I never expected it to transform the way I relate to and communicate with others.
Because of the Christian Parenting books I studied, the knowledge has affected my husband, kids, and anyone else who spends time with me.
It has been extremely helpful for me and for my children when dealing with others; family, siblings, friends, and as they get older romantic relationships.
These Christian parenting books that teach empathy help us learn about others’ personalities and love languages so we can guide our children to adjust their expectations of people and love better.
Expectations are needed in our lives, but if they are unrealistic, they can lead to perpetual disappointment.
These Christian parenting books also help kids adjust how they communicate and learn to be sensitive to others’ strengths and weaknesses.
All three of these Christian parenting books that teach empathy and help in relationships have made a huge impact on my family.
The Treasure Tree is a children’s book that can be read along with your kids.
1.The Two Sides of Love: The Secret to Valuing Differences By Gary Smalley & John Trent
“This is the groundbreaking book that introduced the four “animal” personality types (Lion, Otter, Golden Retriever, and Beaver) and it will show you how to best demonstrate both sides of love in all your relationships”•with your spouse, children, and friends.”
2.The Treasure Tree Helping Kids Understand Their Personality By Gary Smalley & John Trent
“This creative story helps children understand different personality types and celebrate others’ strengths. Follow the four best friends–a lion, an otter, a golden retriever, and a beaver–as they search for the golden keys to the Treasure Tree.
On their adventure, they discover that their different character traits are some of the most precious treasures they have. With this valuable tool, your kids will better understand and respect both themselves and others and your family relationships will grow with more kindness, understanding, and patience.”
Another Christian parenting book that teaches empathy by helping us understand how we feel loved is the 5 Love Languages.
The 5 love languages as defined in the book are words of affirmation, acts of service, quality time, receiving gifts and physical touch. They are all important languages to speak to our kids.
However, all of us have one or two languages that really let us know we are loved.
Reading this book has helped me understand my love language, (quality time all the way), my husband, and my children. It has also helped teach my children their own love language, so they can encourage and support each other.
3.The 5 Love Languages of Children– The Secret of Loving Children Effectively By Dr. Gary Chapman and Ross Campbell, MD
“Discover your child’s primary love language, then speak it, and you will be well on your way to a stronger relationship with your flourishing child”
“Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your happy friends when they’re happy; share tears when they’re down. Get along with each other; don’t be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don’t be the great somebody.”
Romans 12:15 MSG
Christian Parenting Books to Develop Self-Confidence and Responsibility
Two Christian parenting books to develop self-confidence and responsibility in our kids offer wisdom and practical tools.
These books on self-confidence and responsibility help us teach our kids to learn that in relationships each person must take ownership of their own behavior.
We must know who we are, what we want, and what we value. From that definition, we can determine what behavior is okay for us.
The first Christian parenting book to develop self-confidence and responsibility in our kids shows parents how to raise self-confident, motivated children who are ready for the real world.
4.Parenting with Love and Logic by Foster Cline, MD, and Jim Fay
“Effective parenting centers around love: love that is not permissive, love that doesn’t tolerate disrespect, but also love that is powerful enough to allow kids to make mistakes and permit them to live with the consequences of those mistakes. Establish healthy control through easy-to-implement steps without anger, threats, nagging, or power struggles.”
Another Christian parenting book to develop self-confidence and responsibility in our kids teaches about setting age-appropriate boundaries or limits.
It can be difficult to communicate and enforce boundaries in most relationships but particularly difficult when it’s our own children and especially during the teenage years.
This Christian parenting book helps kids learn to take responsibility for their own actions and teaches parents guidelines for setting healthy boundaries.
Everyone needs boundaries. This shows you respect and honor other people. This is a continuous process that applies to many areas of life.
5.Boundaries with Kids: How Healthy Choices Grow Healthy Children by Henry Cloud & John Townsend.
“Boundaries with kids isn’t about making your child do anything. It is much more about structuring your child’s existence so that he experiences the consequences of his behavior, thus leading him to be more responsible and caring. All of us need to be developing and clarifying our boundaries for life.”
“The help and guidance you need for raising your kids to take responsibility for their actions, attitudes, and emotions. With wisdom and empathy, they take you through the ins and outs of instilling the kind of character in your children that will help them lead balanced, productive, and fulfilling adult lives.”
“So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised.”
Hebrews 10:35-36 NLT
The Best Christian Parenting Book for Teaching Kids about Jesus and How to Faithfully Follow Him
The best Christian parenting book for teaching kids about Jesus and how to faithfully follow Him is the greatest book of all time!
The Bible can be read multiple times and transform our thinking and actions every single time.
The Bible tells the story of our savior, Jesus, who came to earth to die for each of us. It teaches us about His great love and how to faithfully follow Him.
The Bible tells of thousands of flawed individuals that came before us and serve as examples of God’s infinite ability to love, forgive, show mercy, and change us.
If there is one best Christian parenting book to pick and share with your kids, I have saved the best for last; The BIBLE is the book that all other books aspire to be.
Reading the Bible alone and with your children will change your family’s life!
I continue to pray that my children develop their own love of reading the Bible and receiving God’s guidance either in a book, online, or through an audio application.
An excerpt from the late Reverend Billy Graham offers a wonderful explanation of why the Bible is the greatest book ever written:
“Dear Rev. Graham: Can you recommend some self-help books that might help me get my life together? I have a lot of problems I can’t seem to overcome. People tell me just to try harder, but that doesn’t get me anywhere. — C.H.
Dear C.H.: Yes, I’d like to recommend to you the greatest ‘self-help’ book ever written: the Bible! Every other self-help book will only give you the author’s ideas, but the Bible gives you God’s wisdom on how to live. Can you think of anything more important?
What will the Bible tell you? It will tell you first of all that God created you — and he created you for a purpose. What is it? His purpose is for you to know him and live for him, by making him the center and foundation of your life. When we leave him out of our lives we drift through life without any lasting purpose — but when we know him, our lives are complete. Jesus said, ‘I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full’ (John 10:10).
Finally, the Bible will tell you how to live — not just following a set of rules, but asking God to guide you. Don’t depend on the fallible words of men, but by faith turn to Christ and accept him as your Savior and teacher and guide.”
“Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.”
Psalm 119:105
Christian Parenting Books Transformed my Life
These Christian parenting books transformed my life too! I read these 6 books to be a better parent and for my children, but the principles have impacted every area of my own life.
Most of our friends are not surprised when someone in my family can identify a personality trait or love language and how it impacted their relationship with someone.
Boundaries are also mentioned often since setting limits is a daily skill that helps my family navigate relationships.
Of all Christian Parenting Books, the Bible continues to be my first choice to read because of Its unending wisdom, guidance and ability to change lives.
Although these books helped in my parenting journey, they are also great Christian, life-transforming books. When we are discouraged or need a resource for information these Christian parenting books can be extremely helpful.
Have you read a great Christian parenting book? Would love to hear about your resources in the comments.
