Parenting Resources
Chapman, G. D. (2010). The 5 Love Languages: the secret to love that lasts. Chicago, IL: Northfield Pub.
This book explores the five Love Languages; physical touch, words of affirmation, quality time, gifts and acts of service, and how they relate to parenting. Understanding these love languages and effectively using them can be instrumental in making sure your child feels genuinely loved. It provides practical ways to fill your child’s love tank and the importance of love in discipline, learning and growing into a mature way to handle anger.
Delahooke, M. (2019) Beyond Behaviors Using Brain Science and Compassion to Understand and Solve Children's Behavioral Challenges. PESI Publishing
Pediatric psychologist Dr. Delahooke combines empathy and brain science in Beyond Behaviors to give parents and educators practical steps to help children who are struggling with challenging behaviors. Her book encourages looking beyond the surface behaviors to understand the “why” and points to the significant component of safe, nurturing relationships to help vulnerable children heal and succeed.
Delahooke, M. (2022) Brain-Body Parenting How to Stop Managing Behavior and Start Raising Joyful, Resilient Kids. Harper Collins Publishers
A must read book for parents wanting to shift from trying to manage their kids behavior to understanding how to support their kids and build resiliency with the brain-body connection in mind.
Faber, A., & Mazlish, E. (1980). How to Talk so Kids Will Listen & Listen so Kids Will Talk. New York: Rawson, Wade Publishers
Great, practical examples of improvements we can make in the way we talk to our kids to promote better communication.
Greene, R. W. (2014). The Explosive Child: a New Approach for Understanding and Parenting Easily Frustrated, Chronically Inflexible Children. New York, NY: Harper.
This is a must read for any parent or educator dealing with frequent challenging or “explosive” behaviors in children. It will help you learn to identity the lagging skills and unsolved problems and collaborate with the child to solve those problems.
Greene, R. (2017) Raising Human Beings Creating a Collaborative Partnership with Your Child. Scribner.
Another great book by Dr. Greene. This book focuses on collaborating with your child to raise them with the life skills of being able to problem solve, know who they are and be able to pursue a life that fits their skills, goals, beliefs and personality.
Markham, L. (2012). Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids. New York, NY. Perigee Book
Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids is a remarkable book that equips parents to navigate raising children with calmness and joy. Dr. Markham focuses on the Three Big Ideas: 1) Regulate yourself, 2) Fostering Connection and 3) Coaching not controlling, to teach parents how to stop yelling, manage their anger, calmly handle their children’s meltdowns, care for themselves and avoid power struggles with their kids.
Purvis, K. B., Cross, D. R., & Sunshine, W. L. (2007). The Connected Child: Bring hope and healing to your adoptive family. New York, NY: McGraw- Hill
A resource for adoptive parents to help build a bond of love and trust, and address behavioral challenges in a connected fashion.
Purvis, K., Qualls, L. (2020) The Connected Parent. Harvest House Publishers
The Connected Parent helps parents understand their children's behaviors as strategies developed to meet their own needs and provides practical tips and tools to help children, who have experienced early life trauma, heal and grow. It combines the scientific knowledge and expertise of Dr. Karyn Purvis (founder of the Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development at TCU) with practical applications by Lisa Qualls, mother of 12 children through birth and adoption. It will equip you to be your child’s advocate rather than their adversary.
Reber, D (2018) differently wired Workman Publishing
A terrific guide for parents raising children who think differently. Reber encourages parents to say “no” to trying to fit square-peg kids into round holes and yes to a parenting journey marked with love and acceptance.
Siegel, D. J., & Bryson, P. H. D. T. P. (2012). The Whole-Brain Child. New York, NY: Random House.
Hugely helpful to understand how a child’s brain develops and the functions of the different parts of the brain. It equips you with 12 strategies to deal with the daily struggles of raising children.
Siegel, D. J., & Bryson, T. P. (2016). No-Drama Discipline: the whole-brain way to calm the chaos and nurture your child's developing mind. New York: Bantam Books.
For parents or educators looking for an effective and compassionate way to approach children and unpleasant behaviors.
This book explores the five Love Languages; physical touch, words of affirmation, quality time, gifts and acts of service, and how they relate to parenting. Understanding these love languages and effectively using them can be instrumental in making sure your child feels genuinely loved. It provides practical ways to fill your child’s love tank and the importance of love in discipline, learning and growing into a mature way to handle anger.
Delahooke, M. (2019) Beyond Behaviors Using Brain Science and Compassion to Understand and Solve Children's Behavioral Challenges. PESI Publishing
Pediatric psychologist Dr. Delahooke combines empathy and brain science in Beyond Behaviors to give parents and educators practical steps to help children who are struggling with challenging behaviors. Her book encourages looking beyond the surface behaviors to understand the “why” and points to the significant component of safe, nurturing relationships to help vulnerable children heal and succeed.
Delahooke, M. (2022) Brain-Body Parenting How to Stop Managing Behavior and Start Raising Joyful, Resilient Kids. Harper Collins Publishers
A must read book for parents wanting to shift from trying to manage their kids behavior to understanding how to support their kids and build resiliency with the brain-body connection in mind.
Faber, A., & Mazlish, E. (1980). How to Talk so Kids Will Listen & Listen so Kids Will Talk. New York: Rawson, Wade Publishers
Great, practical examples of improvements we can make in the way we talk to our kids to promote better communication.
Greene, R. W. (2014). The Explosive Child: a New Approach for Understanding and Parenting Easily Frustrated, Chronically Inflexible Children. New York, NY: Harper.
This is a must read for any parent or educator dealing with frequent challenging or “explosive” behaviors in children. It will help you learn to identity the lagging skills and unsolved problems and collaborate with the child to solve those problems.
Greene, R. (2017) Raising Human Beings Creating a Collaborative Partnership with Your Child. Scribner.
Another great book by Dr. Greene. This book focuses on collaborating with your child to raise them with the life skills of being able to problem solve, know who they are and be able to pursue a life that fits their skills, goals, beliefs and personality.
Markham, L. (2012). Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids. New York, NY. Perigee Book
Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids is a remarkable book that equips parents to navigate raising children with calmness and joy. Dr. Markham focuses on the Three Big Ideas: 1) Regulate yourself, 2) Fostering Connection and 3) Coaching not controlling, to teach parents how to stop yelling, manage their anger, calmly handle their children’s meltdowns, care for themselves and avoid power struggles with their kids.
Purvis, K. B., Cross, D. R., & Sunshine, W. L. (2007). The Connected Child: Bring hope and healing to your adoptive family. New York, NY: McGraw- Hill
A resource for adoptive parents to help build a bond of love and trust, and address behavioral challenges in a connected fashion.
Purvis, K., Qualls, L. (2020) The Connected Parent. Harvest House Publishers
The Connected Parent helps parents understand their children's behaviors as strategies developed to meet their own needs and provides practical tips and tools to help children, who have experienced early life trauma, heal and grow. It combines the scientific knowledge and expertise of Dr. Karyn Purvis (founder of the Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development at TCU) with practical applications by Lisa Qualls, mother of 12 children through birth and adoption. It will equip you to be your child’s advocate rather than their adversary.
Reber, D (2018) differently wired Workman Publishing
A terrific guide for parents raising children who think differently. Reber encourages parents to say “no” to trying to fit square-peg kids into round holes and yes to a parenting journey marked with love and acceptance.
Siegel, D. J., & Bryson, P. H. D. T. P. (2012). The Whole-Brain Child. New York, NY: Random House.
Hugely helpful to understand how a child’s brain develops and the functions of the different parts of the brain. It equips you with 12 strategies to deal with the daily struggles of raising children.
Siegel, D. J., & Bryson, T. P. (2016). No-Drama Discipline: the whole-brain way to calm the chaos and nurture your child's developing mind. New York: Bantam Books.
For parents or educators looking for an effective and compassionate way to approach children and unpleasant behaviors.
Trauma Resources
Van der Kolk, B. A. (2015). The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma. New York: Penguin Books.
The Body Keeps the Score is a must read for anyone wanting to understand the effects of trauma on the brain, body and behaviors. Trauma is experienced by approximately one half of the population and has lasting effects on the person who lived through the trauma, as well as, the loved ones in their life. Understand how the brain is re-shaped as a result of trauma and opportunities for healing the brain through safe relationships, and a variety of therapies and treatments.
The Body Keeps the Score is a must read for anyone wanting to understand the effects of trauma on the brain, body and behaviors. Trauma is experienced by approximately one half of the population and has lasting effects on the person who lived through the trauma, as well as, the loved ones in their life. Understand how the brain is re-shaped as a result of trauma and opportunities for healing the brain through safe relationships, and a variety of therapies and treatments.
Resiliency Resources
Brown, B. (2015). Rising Strong. New York : Spiegel & Grau.
Social worker and researcher Brene Brown gives us the tools to face our falls and failures and to be able to get back up and rise strong! Her process walks us through reckoning with emotions, rumbling with the stories in our head as we question and get curious about our feelings, over and over again to bring about a personal revolution.
Social worker and researcher Brene Brown gives us the tools to face our falls and failures and to be able to get back up and rise strong! Her process walks us through reckoning with emotions, rumbling with the stories in our head as we question and get curious about our feelings, over and over again to bring about a personal revolution.
Race Resources
Menakem, R. (2017). My Grandmother’s Hands. Las Vegas, NV: Central Recovery Press.
Menakem brings a call to action for all Americans, white, black and blue (police) to recognize and start to heal the generational trauma that lives inside our bodies. This is more than just a book you read, it’s a step-by-step healing process.
Menakem brings a call to action for all Americans, white, black and blue (police) to recognize and start to heal the generational trauma that lives inside our bodies. This is more than just a book you read, it’s a step-by-step healing process.
Sensory Resources
Miller, L. J., & Fuller, D. A. (2006). Sensational kids: Hope and Help for Children with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD). New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons.
A wealth of information for helping children who deal with Sensory Processing Disorders.
Smith, K., Gauze, K. (2005) The Sensory-Sensitive Child: Practical Solutions for Out-of-Bound Behavior. HarperCollins Publishers
This book will change the way you look at your sensory sensitive children’s struggles.
A wealth of information for helping children who deal with Sensory Processing Disorders.
Smith, K., Gauze, K. (2005) The Sensory-Sensitive Child: Practical Solutions for Out-of-Bound Behavior. HarperCollins Publishers
This book will change the way you look at your sensory sensitive children’s struggles.
Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Resources
Chansky, T. E. (2000). Freeing your child from obsessive-compulsive disorder: A powerful, practical program for parents of children and adolescents. (P. Stern, Illustrator). Crown House Publishing Limited.
Practical help for parents of children with OCD
Practical help for parents of children with OCD
Eating Struggles Resources
Rowell, K. (2012) Love me, Feed me
The Adoptive Parent’s Guide to Ending the Worry about Weight, Picky Eating, Power Struggles and More. Family Feeding Dynamics LLC
For any adoptive or foster family dealing with struggles around food, meal times, picky eating, hiding or "stealing food".
The Adoptive Parent’s Guide to Ending the Worry about Weight, Picky Eating, Power Struggles and More. Family Feeding Dynamics LLC
For any adoptive or foster family dealing with struggles around food, meal times, picky eating, hiding or "stealing food".
School Resources
Costello, B., Wachtel, J., & Wachtel, T. (2010). Restorative circles in schools: Building community and enhancing learning.
Using Restorative Circles in Schools is a quick and easy read to get your started using restorative circles in your classroom, but it can also be applied to the home. In restorative circles the members of the group work to heal and build relationships, resolve conflict and improve communication.
Dawson, P., & Guare, R. (2018). Executive Skills in Children and Adolescents: A practical guide to assessment and intervention (3rd ed.). Guilford Press.
Not an exciting read, but this book has some useful information on executive skills, assessing them, helping students with weak skills, specific interventions and strategies.
Greene, R. W. (2008). Lost at school: Why our kids with behavioral challenges are falling through the cracks and how we can help them. New York: Scribner.
An excellent resource for parents and educators who want to help the kids who are struggling the most in the school system.
Using Restorative Circles in Schools is a quick and easy read to get your started using restorative circles in your classroom, but it can also be applied to the home. In restorative circles the members of the group work to heal and build relationships, resolve conflict and improve communication.
Dawson, P., & Guare, R. (2018). Executive Skills in Children and Adolescents: A practical guide to assessment and intervention (3rd ed.). Guilford Press.
Not an exciting read, but this book has some useful information on executive skills, assessing them, helping students with weak skills, specific interventions and strategies.
Greene, R. W. (2008). Lost at school: Why our kids with behavioral challenges are falling through the cracks and how we can help them. New York: Scribner.
An excellent resource for parents and educators who want to help the kids who are struggling the most in the school system.
Additional Articles
Bell, A.L. "The Biology of Calm: How Downregulation Promotes Well-Being"
https://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/biology-of-calm-how-downregulation-promotes-well-being-1027164
Delahook, M. "Challenging Behaviors: Why We Shouldn't Expect Kids to Self-Regulate Too Soon"
https://monadelahooke.com/challenging-behaviors-why-we-shouldnt-expect-kids-to-self-regulate-too-soon/
“When we are present with children, and compassionately aware of our own emotions, we preserve the most precious factor in a child’s process of developing self-regulation: human connection.”
Desautels, L. "The Role of Emotion Co-Regulation in Discipline"
https://www.edutopia.org/article/role-emotion-co-regulation-discipline
Understanding why traditional discipline works the least well on kids who struggle.
Jain, R "49 Phrases to Calm an Anxious Child"
https://gozen.com/49-phrases-to-calm-an-anxious-child/
Great phrases to help your child calm down such as “I love you. You are safe.” “We are an unstoppable team.” “If how you feel was a monster, what would it look like?”
Lewis, K.R “What if Everything You Knew About Disciplining Kids was Wrong?” https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2015/07/schools-behavior-discipline-collaborative-proactive-solutions-ross-greene/
Insight in helping behaviorally challenged children using Ross Greene’s CPA model.
Markham, L "10 Habits to Strengthen a Parent-Child Relationship"
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/peaceful-parents-happy-kids/201706/10-habits-strengthen-parent-child-relationship
Every parent wants to strengthen their relationship with their child. This will give you a great place to start.
Peterson, T. “Parent coaching vs Counseling”:
https://www.healthyplace.com/parenting/parenting-help/parent-coach-or-counseling-which-is-best-for-you
Rimm-Kaufman, S. Sandilos, L. "Improving Students Relationships with Teachers to Provide Essential Supports for Learning”
https://www.apa.org/education/k12/relationships
https://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/biology-of-calm-how-downregulation-promotes-well-being-1027164
Delahook, M. "Challenging Behaviors: Why We Shouldn't Expect Kids to Self-Regulate Too Soon"
https://monadelahooke.com/challenging-behaviors-why-we-shouldnt-expect-kids-to-self-regulate-too-soon/
“When we are present with children, and compassionately aware of our own emotions, we preserve the most precious factor in a child’s process of developing self-regulation: human connection.”
Desautels, L. "The Role of Emotion Co-Regulation in Discipline"
https://www.edutopia.org/article/role-emotion-co-regulation-discipline
Understanding why traditional discipline works the least well on kids who struggle.
Jain, R "49 Phrases to Calm an Anxious Child"
https://gozen.com/49-phrases-to-calm-an-anxious-child/
Great phrases to help your child calm down such as “I love you. You are safe.” “We are an unstoppable team.” “If how you feel was a monster, what would it look like?”
Lewis, K.R “What if Everything You Knew About Disciplining Kids was Wrong?” https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2015/07/schools-behavior-discipline-collaborative-proactive-solutions-ross-greene/
Insight in helping behaviorally challenged children using Ross Greene’s CPA model.
Markham, L "10 Habits to Strengthen a Parent-Child Relationship"
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/peaceful-parents-happy-kids/201706/10-habits-strengthen-parent-child-relationship
Every parent wants to strengthen their relationship with their child. This will give you a great place to start.
Peterson, T. “Parent coaching vs Counseling”:
https://www.healthyplace.com/parenting/parenting-help/parent-coach-or-counseling-which-is-best-for-you
Rimm-Kaufman, S. Sandilos, L. "Improving Students Relationships with Teachers to Provide Essential Supports for Learning”
https://www.apa.org/education/k12/relationships