Recommended Parenting Books & Medical Studies

The Coddling of the American Mind — Jonathan Haidt & Greg Lukianoff

Discusses how certain cultural patterns can increase anxiety and fragility, and suggests resilience-building alternatives. Helpful for parents navigating safety, independence,…

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Nudge — Richard H. Thaler & Cass R. Sunstein

Explains how small “choice architecture” changes guide decisions. Parents can apply this to create environments that support healthy eating, reading,…

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Drive — Daniel H. Pink

Shows how autonomy, mastery, and purpose drive motivation. It’s valuable for parents and educators trying to reduce carrot-and-stick tactics and…

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Flow — Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

Explains the psychology of deep engagement and why it brings satisfaction and mastery. Parents can use it to help children…

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Mindset: The New Psychology of Success — Carol S. Dweck

Describes fixed vs. growth mindsets and how they shape learning and resilience. Parents can change how they praise and coach…

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The Happiness Advantage — Shawn Achor

Argues that happiness fuels success—not the other way around. It offers practical exercises for optimism and resilience that can work…

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Quiet — Susan Cain

Celebrates introversion and explains how temperament shapes learning and social life. It helps parents support quieter children without trying to…

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The Body Keeps the Score — Bessel van der Kolk

Explains how trauma impacts the brain and body and why healing often requires more than talk. Helpful for parents to…

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Man’s Search for Meaning — Viktor E. Frankl

A powerful account of finding meaning under extreme hardship and a framework for purpose-driven living. For families, it encourages resilience,…

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The Power of Habit — Charles Duhigg

Explains how habits form and how to change them using cue–routine–reward loops. It’s useful for families trying to improve sleep,…

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Influence — Robert B. Cialdini

A practical guide to persuasion principles (reciprocity, social proof, authority, etc.). Parents can use it ethically to understand how kids…

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Emotional Intelligence — Daniel Goleman

Explains why emotional skills—self-awareness, regulation, empathy—are central to success and wellbeing. It helps parents prioritize social-emotional learning alongside academics, and…

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