My wife and I have 8 kids. As those of you with large families know, one thing that happens when you have a lot of kids (in addition to a higher-than-average number of awkward discussions with strangers at Walmart) is that you find yourself in the middle of tons of conversations about parenting. Throughout our conversations, it has occurred to me that many parents are unaware of the parenting wisdom that lies beyond the “parenting” section of the book store or iTunes or Kindle store. Here are 5 books I’ve run across this year that, while they contain some great parenting wisdom, won’t be found in the “parenting” section.
1. Spy the Lie
Do you ever question your kids’ honesty about something? I don’t. None of my 8 children have ever told a lie (disclaimer: sarcasm). But, for those of you poor souls with imperfect children, this book will be great! In this book, former CIA officers teach you how to spot deception and how to draw out truth in a way that doesn’t destroy your relationships. Bonus for parents of younger kids–the book contains a list of questions you should consider asking a potential child care giver.
This book is about unlocking talent in yourself. However, you can use many of the tools in this book to help your kids become more talented.
3. Verbal Judo
Most of us, if we’re being honest, aren’t so great at dealing with confrontation…especially when it comes to family. Some of you may be confrontational by nature. This book has some great tips for you. Some of you are naturally non-confrontational, like me. You might be hoping that one of the tips in the book is “make sarcastic remarks, laugh awkwardly, then change the subject any time you are faced with confrontation.” Alas, that is not a recommended method for dealing with confrontation. You’ll find this book helpful. I did.
Why are some people happier than others? How can you become a happier person? As importantly, how can you raise your kids to be happier kids?
Parenting is hard. One day you’re outside playing a stereotypical game of catch or hide-and-seek. You’re thinking to yourself, “This parenting thing is awesome. Life is great!” The next day you find yourself playing a different kind of hide-and-seek: the one where you hide in a dark closet to eat some candy without being asked for a piece. You’re thinking, “When did my life come to this?” A Great Day Every Day has some solid, Bible-based reminders to keep you focused and centered.
There you have it. I hope that you find these books helpful. Do you have any books that you would add to this “non-parenting” parenting list? Comment below.
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