Resources and guidance
Ina May’s Guide to Childbirth by Ina May Gaskin
Ina May Gaskin, a legendary midwife, offers a powerful mix of birth stories and practical advice rooted in trust of the body’s natural wisdom. This book empowers birthing people with knowledge, confidence, and a radically holistic view of childbirth.
Stories matter: birth stories shape expectations, attitudes, and outcomes.
Pain is not suffering—reframing birth as powerful rather than traumatic changes the experience.
The Birth Partner by Penny Simkin
A comprehensive guide for anyone supporting a birthing person, this book covers physical and emotional care through every stage of labor. It’s an indispensable tool for doulas, partners, and anyone who wants to provide informed, compassionate support.
Be flexible—every labor is different, and needs can shift moment by moment.
Preparation is key, but so is presence and intuition.
Cribsheet by Emily Oster
Economist Emily Oster tackles early parenting decisions with data, empowering parents to make informed choices without guilt or dogma. Clear-eyed and reassuring, it addresses topics from breastfeeding to sleep training using a rational, evidence-based approach.
There is no perfect choice. Only the choice that works best for your family.
Data doesn’t dictate decisions—it gives context.
Unconditional Parenting by Alfie Kohn
This book flips the script on rewards and punishments, asking what it really means to raise kids with love that doesn’t depend on behavior. Kohn challenges mainstream discipline and encourages parenting rooted in empathy, respect, and long-term thinking.
“Children learn what they live.”
“Doing things to children rather than working with them is the problem.”
Unconditional love should never be withdrawn in the name of discipline.
Kids are more likely to cooperate when they feel understood and respected.
Rewards can undermine internal motivation.
Ask not “How do I get my kid to obey?” but “What does my child need?”
No-Drama Discipline by Daniel J. Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson
This book reframes discipline as an opportunity to teach, connect, and grow together. It blends neuroscience and practical strategies to help kids regulate emotions—without yelling or punishment.
“Connection first, then correction.”
Discipline means to teach—not to punish.
Calm, connected parenting is more effective than chaos and conflict.
The Whole-Brain Child by Daniel J. Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson
A user-friendly guide to understanding how kids’ brains develop, this book helps parents respond to meltdowns and big feelings with empathy and skill. It offers simple tools to nurture emotional intelligence and resilience from the inside out.
“Name it to tame it.”
Integration is the key to a healthy brain.
Emotional storms are opportunities to build connection.
Kids don’t need us to fix everything—they need us to be with them.
Use the upstairs brain (logic) to guide the downstairs brain (emotion).
Practice makes pathways: repetition shapes the brain.
Siblings Without Rivalry by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish
This classic offers real-life strategies for helping kids live together without tearing each other apart (and maybe even like each other). Through humor and honesty, it gives language and tools to reduce conflict and boost empathy between siblings.
“Children don’t need to be treated equally, they need to be treated uniquely.”
Labeling kids (even the “good” one) creates distance.
Don’t play referee; teach them to solve it themselves.
Focus on the problem, not the blame.
Raising Good Humans: A Mindful Guide to Breaking the Cycle by Hunter Clarke-Fields (with contributions by Carla Naumburg)
With a blend of mindfulness, self-compassion, and practical techniques, this book helps parents slow down and respond more thoughtfully to everyday parenting stress. It’s all about breaking old cycles and raising kind, emotionally healthy humans.
“You can’t control your child, but you can control how you respond.”
Our own healing is part of raising emotionally healthy children.
Yelling less starts with breathing more.
When you model calm, kids learn calm.
“Respond, don’t react.”
How to Talk So Little Kids Will Listen by Joanna Faber and Julie King
Designed for parents of toddlers and young kids, this book is full of real-world-tested scripts and examples to help you actually get through to your kid (without losing your mind).
“Kids cooperate when they feel heard.”
Describe what you see, not what they did wrong.
Play is a secret weapon for cooperation.
Offer choices—even small ones empower kids.
Acknowledge feelings before trying to fix anything.
It’s OK Not to Share by Heather Shumaker
This bold book challenges a lot of common preschool rules and replaces them with developmentally appropriate practices that actually support social-emotional growth. It’s practical, respectful, and a great read for anyone navigating toddler and preschooler group play.
“Waiting turns teaches patience better than forced sharing.”
Respect real emotions, even when they’re inconvenient.
Conflict is practice for life, not something to avoid.
Say yes to big play and risk-taking—kids learn by doing.
Rules don’t teach empathy—experience and guidance do.
Focus on social skills, not surface-level manners.
No Bad Kids: Toddler Discipline Without Shame by Janet Lansbury
Rooted in the RIE approach, this book reframes toddler behavior as communication, not defiance. Janet Lansbury offers calm, respectful strategies for setting boundaries while staying connected.
“Boundaries are loving.”
Toddlers aren’t giving you a hard time—they’re having a hard time.
Your calm presence is more powerful than punishment.
Be the confident leader your child needs.
Consistency matters more than perfection.
Say what you mean, and follow through kindly.
Diaper-Free Before 3 by Jill Lekovic, MD
This gentle guide offers a fresh look at potty learning, showing how kids are capable of being out of diapers earlier than most modern parents believe. It’s science-backed, non-coercive, and rooted in practical parenting wisdom.
“Toilet training is a process, not a one-day event.”
Waiting too long can make potty learning harder, not easier.
Consistency and patience are key.
Early doesn’t mean rushed.
Tune in to your child’s signals.
A calm, casual approach works best.
Wonder Art Workshop by Rachel Doorley
Full of vibrant, open-ended art projects, this book celebrates curiosity, creativity, and process-based play for toddlers and young kids. It’s perfect for inspiring joyful, low-pressure making at home or in groups.
“Focus on the process, not the product.”
Let children lead the way in their own creations.
Mess is part of learning—embrace it.
There’s no wrong way to make art.
Creative freedom builds confidence.