books
parenting
Unconditional Parenting, by Alfie Kohn
If you choose one book on parenting to read, this is it. Loaded with research and well-founded ideas, Unconditional Parenting is easy to read, makes complete sense, and is radical and opinionated in the most important ways. Alfie is a prolific writer and speaker. We're constantly amazed at how consistently our beliefs get articulated in his writing. He has always responded to our emails, which makes us respect him even more. We'd LOVE to meet his wife! Kris presented a workshop on UP principles at a Holistic Moms Network meeting and will be facilitating a study group locally. If you read this book and want to implement UP principles into your own parenting, then We'd love to support you.
Parenting for a Peaceful World, by Robin Grille
This is an astoundingly dense book. It's not an easy read and we admit that we skipped some of it because we weren't ready to read about how children have been treated throughout different historical times (brutal). And we know that we will at some point because of how important it is to understand the pain that has preceded us. With clarity and passion, he states that parents are the shapers of society. There are excellent chapters on the developmental needs of kids that will help your parenting as well as help you understand your own childhood. We love this book and are completely in awe of the work that went into it.
Nonviolent Communication: A Language of Life, by Marshal Rosenberg
(also check out Parenting from the Heart which is NVC for parents by Inbal Kashtan)
Life changing. This is the basis of what we teach/coach on communication. Easy to read, understandable, makes complete sense and yet it is so challenging to practice every day! If you want to remove judgment, misunderstanding, unnecessary confrontations from your life, then learn nonviolent communication. If you want to grow compassion and unconditional love in your life, then learn nonviolent communication. We are learning that it is a longterm endeavor that is so, so worth the effort.
You Are Your Child's First Teacher, by Rahima Baldwin Dancy
This book takes a Waldorf Education perspective on the first 6 years of life. There are loads and loads of resources at the end of each chapter, particularly for creating art together, music, stories (and understanding fairy tales), singing, making toys and more.
We loved it because of the emphasis on cultivating imagination, not rushing academics and formalized early learning, connection between mind and body, and reminding us of the importance of rhythm and routine and, most of all, protecting childhood.
The Parent's Tao Te Ching, by William Martin
Thought-provoking and inspiring in its simplicity, and yet there is so much depth in each statement. A great resource to keep by your bed to read a snippet from each night before drifting off.
The Baby Book, by Sears and Sears
We would recommend any of the books by these incredible authors. A doctor and nurse couple who have raised 9 children, the Sears advice is grounded in attachment parenting principles. This book has been an important resource for everything practical. There are some areas where we wanted less mainstream information (such as vaccinations), however, overall these books are packed with practical advice that, if you believe in attachment, you'll find helpful.
Kids Are Worth It, by Barbara Coloroso
This was one of the first parenting books that we read, and we're curious to go back and read it again to see how our thinking has changed. At the time, we got lots out of it, particularly the idea of preserving your child's dignity as well as your own. Being a proponent of alternatives to reward and punishment, Barbara offered some helpful ideas.
Hold Onto Your Kids, by Gordon Neufeld
Another attachment parenting author, Gordon goes further than many in advocating for strong family bonds throughout childhood and adolescence. Much of the middle section of the book is about our current situation in society (we skipped some of this), and he comes back to some practical ideas at the end of the book. A friend went to one of his workshops and loved it. It was the first time that her innermost beliefs about parenting got named which was a huge relief for her because of how alone she had felt in how she mothered.
The Wonder of Boys, by Michael Gurian
Another book that we read early on, so we're curious to go back and read it again. The emphasis on brain research that clarifies what we've perhaps resisted (that boys and girls are different in so many ways) was interesting to me. We didn’t agree as much with the section on discipline, yet still benefited from some of the ideas in the book. One example was that boys need to understand how what they are being asked to do contributes to the bigger picture. "Could you please take out the garbage? You are helping our family create a comfortable home for our whole family when you do this. Thanks.” Something like that.
The Continuum Concept, by Jean Liedloff
Many people consider this the origin of a wider understanding of what attachment parenting is all about. Jean takes us on her journey as she shared extended time with the Yequana people of South America. She is an American writer, with a history in journalism and she shares a perspective on how we’ve lost our natural well-being, and practical ways of regaining it for the sake of our children and ourselves. It is well worth the read, particularly if you enjoy slightly more academic material.
Let the Baby Drive: Navigating the Road of New Motherhood, by Lu Hanessian
Review coming soon.
health
Vaccinations: A Thoughtful Parent's Guide, by Aviva Jill Romm
A balanced perspective on this complex and heavy issue. Aviva offers a wide breadth of well-researched information which allows you to make your own decisions and understand the possible consequences.
Homeopathy for Children, by Gabrielle Pinto and Murray Feldman
If you are choosing to pursue homeopathy, we highly recommend finding a homeopathic doctor to work with and then supplementing that relationship with this book. When you pursue alternative health practices, we think that it is critical that you have professionals to support you.
spirituality
Momma Zen. Walking the Crooked Path of Motherhood, by Karen Maezen Miller
Ahhhh. Karen's writing fills us up. She knows the grit of parenting and tells the truth about her own experiences, all of it, which makes her very real. At the same time as voicing what so many people gloss over, she helps you cultivates a spiritual practice through parenting, remembering the bigger perspective and revealing the opportunities for being with what is.
Everyday Blessings. The Inner Work of Mindful Parenting,
by Myla and Jon Kabat-Zinn
This is a gentle reminder about being present with our children. The Kabat-Zinns share gorgeous examples from their own families and guide us along our own path of awakening through parenthood. Pick up this book whenever you feel like a lift or for no reason at all. The final seven intentions and twelve exercises for mindful parenting are very helpful. Beautifully written and also very practical to help us stay grounded and see the bigger perspective in what we are creating in this world.
Baby Buddhas, A guide for teaching meditation to children by Lisa Desmond
Beautiful. A reminder to be still and help our children learn to be with themselves, building the capacity for inner calm and peace.
Law of Attraction by Esther and Jerry Hicks (The Teachings of Abraham)
If you've heard anything about the Law of Attraction and want to know more practical and detailed ways to apply it in your life, check out this book, along with the Hicks' other book Ask And It Is Given. This is life changing stuff. Really. We have an incredible opportunity to raise our children with a different, more empowering and exciting, understanding of the way the world, actually the universe, works. If you want more joy in your life, start here. Much of our coaching is based on guiding people to attract more meaningful and fun life circumstances for themselves. What is so profound is that it’s not about what we manifest so much as it is about the uplifted feeling we foster in ourselves and our kids along the way.
Seat of the Soul by Gary Zukav
This book teaches us about authentic power, as well as an entirely different way to live a better, bigger life. Easy to read and also very rich, a book that you can devour. Chapters on evolution, karma, intuition, relationships, there’s some pearls in here. You can also check out their website if this speaks to you. Gary and his partner share a particular passion for spiritual partnerships. More material here for offering our children a fresh, empowered way of looking at their role in the world and the meaning of being alive.
articles
Holistic Moms Network - Kris Laroche
This is by no means and exhaustive list. Below are others that fall within the same category of greatness according to reliable sources. We'll be diving into them, ourselves.
- Connected Parenting, by Pam Leo
- Raising our Children, Raising Ourselves, by Naomi Aldort
- Respectful Parents, Respectful Kids by Sura Hart and Victoria Kindle Hodson
"Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing there is a field. I'll meet you there.”
-Rumi