Parenting Resources
Tried and Tested Recommendations from our Wellbeing Team!
Below are recommendations of books and podcasts that have helped with our own parenting journeys and that we frequently recommend to parents.
Parents, please let us know books or podcasts that have transformed your parenting! We would love to hear from you.
Raising an Emotionally Intelligent Child by John Gottman
The gold standard for coaching parents to help their children understand and regulate themselves, thereby improving relationships. Useful for all stages of parenting. It's never too late to re-connect with your child!
Raising Boys by Steve Biddulph
First published in 1997, this easy to read, practical guide continues to be relevant despite many changes in the way we see the roles of boys in our society. See also Steve Biddulph's other excellent books Raising Girls and The Secret of Happy Children.
The Whole Brain Child by Dr Dan Siegel and Dr Tina Payne Bryson
Gain an understanding of your child and their behaviours with a science-based insight into the brain and its development. This book helps to de-mystify the workings of the brain and demonstrates how we can integrate the brain in our responses to our children.
The Strength Switch by Dr Lea Waters
Another science-based book recommendation, this valuable book focuses on building on children's strengths in order to help them reach their potential. Useful, practical exercises help to focus on making small changes that can affect they way we talk to our children.
The Happiness Trap by Russ Harris
This is more a self-help book for adults than a parenting book but we've included it here because firstly the insights and techniques of ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) are ones we use with students and also because in order to be good parents, we must look after ourselves first. This book helps readers find ways to live a more rich and fulfilled life.
The Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read (and your children will be glad that you did) by Philippa Perry
A popular psychologist in the UK, Perry wrote this best-selling book which covers many essentials of parenting. Easy to dip in and out of, it encourages parents to reflect on how they were parented and how that affects us and our children.
Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker
Based on a huge amount of new neuroscience research of the past 20 years, this book is passionate about delivering the message that sleep in essential for just about everything from learning to emotional regulation to staving off cancer. A really interesting deep dive into the transformative power of sleep.
Siblings Without Rivalry: How to Help Your Children Live Together So You Can Live Too by Adele Faber & Elaine Mazlish
Often recommended to parents struggling with warring brothers and sisters, this groundbreaking book examines the relationships between siblings and offers ways to manage conflict and encourage cooperation. The book uses examples from parent workshops the authors have run and usefully offers advice applicable to the different ages and stages our children go through.
Good Inside with Dr. Becky
Dr. Becky has a comprehensive website where she offers a membership programme which includes workshops for a variety of problems. Her useful Instagram insights and podcasts are free and she gives very hands-on practical advice based on her experience with Internal Family Systems theory.
Raising Good Humans with Dr. Aliza
Aliza Pressman covers a huge range of topics with real life examples and helpful, understanding and kind advice. There are a great range of guests so you can just dip in and out and find an episode with a topic that may be affecting you.
