Books are one of the richest and most resourceful ways of discovering and learning new things. When I found out that I was pregnant with Arun, I knew just a few things about pregnancy and parenting. I had an idea of who I wanted to be, and I had many questions and a lot of insecurities. So I started to search for answers.
Because of how we live (separated and most of the time in different kinds of fears), we forget the natural and confident way of raising our babies. We suppress our instincts and start to fear – not knowing, not being or not doing enough for our children.
This is why I believe that it is crucial to understand our emotions, wounds and patterns and to also inform ourselves about this new chapter in our life which we embark on. Knowing yourself, knowing how to prepare for childbirth and what parenting truly means allows us to have a deeper understanding and self-confidence that is much needed for our well-being and the well-being of those around us. five books for new parents
Below are five books that I found to be extremely helpful in offering a broader understanding of the fundamentals of raising a child. Also, about the transformations that mothers and babies go through during pregnancy. How to view parenting from an emotional and spiritual perspective and how to raise balanced and happy kids.
1. Continuum Concept by Jean Liedloff books for new parents
I believe that this is the first book about parenting that I have ever read, and it was the perfect one for me. I read this book long ago, years before I met Christian and before Arun entered our lives.
This book impacted the way I viewed having and raising a child. In Continuum Concept, Jean Liedloff presents the authentic and rich observations she had while living in a tribe in Africa. She was profoundly moved by how African children that live in tribes are raised compared with children from other places on earth, especially big cities.
After reading this book, I gained a profound and rooted perspective about raising a healthy and conscious kid. I recommend this book to everyone who feels the need for a connection with their roots.
2. What to Expect When You’re Expecting by Heidi Murkoff
This book is an excellent guide to have with you right from the beginning of your pregnancy. It gives you a step-by-step map of the development of your body and the body of your baby that’s inside you.
I always read each chapter in advance. When I was in the second month, I was reading the third. When I was in the fourth, I was reading the fifth and so on. In this way, I was always ahead of the changes. I didn’t panic if something happened because it didn’t take me by surprise. Some changes can be entirely unexpected, like abdominal pain, often caused by stretching the ligaments that support the uterus or occasional nasal bleeding. Sometimes, if you don’t know beforehand, these symptoms can be a cause of panic.
In What to expect when you’re expecting, Heidi answers some of the most pressing and personal questions and concerns, offering practical advice, realistic insights, easy-to-use tips, lots of reassurances, and the most up-to-date medical information.
3. The Common Sense Book of Baby and Child Care by Dr Benjamin Spock books for new parents
This book was first published in 1946 and was one of the best selling books of the twentieth century. I came across it quite randomly. I was watching a business interview, and the guest of the show, a self-made millionaire, spoke about what helped his mother raise him alone, in poverty. The thing that gave his mother strength and guidance was this particular book.
Even though it was written many years ago, the book offers up-to-date information about every stage of development of a child – disease, play, food, first aid, and other issues such as divorce, adoption, etc. Believe me. It has it all. I like this book because every piece of information and situation presented has a common-sense approach that offers a genuinely helping hand for every parent.
Dr Spock and his manual, The Common Sense Book of Baby and Child Care, helped revolutionise child-rearing methods for the post-World War II generation. Mothers heavily relied on Spock’s advice and appreciated his friendly, reassuring tone. One of the core messages that Dr Benjamin Spock emphasises in his book is that, above all, parents should have confidence in their abilities and trust their instincts. He also gives the readers a powerful message “Trust yourself. You know more than you think you do.”
4. The Seven Spiritual Laws for Parents by Deepak Chopra
This book is such a fantastic book to read. It speaks about values and how to address them so that our kids can understand what values are. It also gives practical information on how to implement them in age-specific activities. Deepak Chopra has an exciting system scheduled by day. So all family members can experience and focus on things like practising intention, offering, detachment and others.
The Seven Spiritual Laws for Parents is Dr Chopra’s answer to those parents who wish to raise children with values that satisfy spiritual needs and create the experience of abundance.
We all want the best for our kids. However, teaching them to understand their emotions and reactions from an early age can significantly impact themselves and everyone else.
5. The Montessori Toddler by Simone Davies
I am a huge fan of Maria’s Montessori school. Her method of education is based on self-directed activity, hands-on learning and collaborative play. In its essence, Montessori is designed to teach children to think deeply, think for themselves and think about others. books for new parents
Christian and I have decided to keep Arun home with us for the first three years of his life. The reasons were many, and I will discuss more in another article. This decision comes with new responsibilities and skills, which we have to learn to be able to offer him proper development.
Montessori values and practices resonate a lot with our values and perspectives about child development in the first years of life. The Common Sense Book of Baby and Child Care by Simone Davies offers us a step-by-step guide to understanding how children learn at younger ages and which activities stimulate their brain and nourish their happiness and love for learning.s
Final Words books for new parents
Being pregnant and having your first baby is a once-in-a-lifetime event. It can be highly joyful and empowering and, at the same time, overwhelming and scary. I found it extremely helpful in those moments to inform myself in any possible way about the rapidly changing aspects of my life while also remaining open to changes.
All these five books for new parents I talked about in this article helped me understand parenting and motherhood. How I, as a woman, have changed to support this new soul that has just begun his unique journey through this life. books for new parents books for new parents
You lovely women have all the power and strength you need inside you to navigate these moments with grace and love. I hope the books mentioned in this article will offer you gentle support and guidance in your beautiful experience. I encourage you always to have faith in yourself and trust your gut.
Remember to love yourself.
