Parenting Books? Love then or Hate Them?
This post contains affilate links.
I have a love hate relationship with parenting books.
On the one hand I love to read about new perspectives and be inspired by new ideas, but on the other hand they can make me feel like a total failure when it comes to this parenting gig.
Sometimes I gobble up every word of a book or article or blog post and wish there was more. Sometimes I have these awesome light bulb moments when things suddenly fall into place and make sense.
But sometimes I struggle to even finish the first chapter. Sometimes they make me feel like I have already ruined my kids. That because I didn’t do x or y when they were 4 months old then there is no hope, it is too late… I’ve broken them.
I am ok with taking or leaving parenting advice that doesn’t fit with our family or lifestyle, but I struggle with the guilt some books seem to bring out in me.
I look back over my children’s lives so far, and find little piles of guilt here and there, and those piles seem to grow when I read some parenting books. The kind that outline all these great things I could have done, should have done, when my kids were smaller.
But I need to let go of the guilt and the keeping score, and the ‘should haves’, because the truth is, kids are resilient.
Kids are resilient. I know this. I really do know this. And I keep being told it by people who’s words I trust and respect…
Lately I have read it at Not Just Cute and again at If I Ran the Circus and I agree with those wise words whole heartedly.
I know that not only are my kids ok despite my mistakes, I also know that they are ok because of my mistakes. I am sure the best person to teach you that no one is perfect, that we all make mistakes, are your parents. I know that it is important to show my kids that things change, that we can learn and change and do better, even as a parent.
So I am dipping back into the parenting books… but I am taking a more comfortable route this time and going with ebooks.
The Mindful Parenting Ebundle is packed full of interesting parenting ebooks and resources all with a positive outlook… so I’ve bought it for myself and signed up as an affiliate (that means if you click one the links in this post and buy the ebundle I will receive a percentage of the sale).
It’s great value with 22 eProducts worth over $274 USD for $24.95 USD but it’s only on sale until June 10th 2013 so you only have a few more days left to grab it. Pop on over and check out the list of contributors and products.
What do you think? Do you love hate parenting books???
I seemed to devour these types of books when my first was a baby and now i don’t read as many. There are a few that I really like and take on their advice and there are others that I wish I had never read. Guess it comes down to making the right choice for your family and leaving the rest of the advice alone!
You should read liberated parents liberated children. You will love it if you havent already read it. I read it a number of times as my kids were growing up and learned new things each time. It’s written like a conversation and its great