by Judy WangCounseling Mental Health Therapy

Recommended Books for Parents

As a former Play Therapist, I not only worked with children but also with parents. Learn more about me here. It can be hard trying to understand your child’s emotional needs and helping your child develop emotional intelligence. While working with parents, I would recommend the following books to help understand and nurture their child. These books are meant to be guides but if more assistance is need to help with parenting, contact me. If you are looking for a therapist for your child, please check out my post on How to Find a Therapist for Your Child.

You can purchase these book from Barnes & Noble, Thriftbooks and Amazon.

For Parents of Children Ages 0-12

The Science of Parenting by Margot Sunderland. This is for the soon to be parents and already parents because it’s never too late. Although the What to Expect book series are popular, I would recommend this book over that series because it utilizes scientific research and evidence-based parenting advice on how to raise your child. It looks at how your child’s brain and body is impacted by discipline, parenting style and even screen time. It also touches on “Sleep Training” and how that impacts your baby. Sleep training may be good for you as the parent but not so much for your baby’s body. Though the book is rooted in science, it is not a difficult read.

The Whole-Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child’s Developing Mind by Daniel Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson. This book helps parents develop their children’s emotional intelligence. It teaches parents not only on how to integrate the left and right brains but the top and bottom brains. There are strategies on calming your child down to becoming more aware of their feelings and thoughts. These strategies helped me when I took my friend’s three-year-old out for some play time. We were going to get frozen yogurt and then ride the choo-choo train at the local park. But the ice cream shop was closed and the train was out of order. She didn’t throw a tantrum because I was able to engage with her using the strategies in the book. Instead, we had fun getting ice cream sandwiches from a vending machine and rolling down the hill.

For Parents of Children Ages 12+

How to Raise an Adult by Julie Lythcott-Haims. This book discusses the harms of being a helicopter parent, otherwise known as overparenting. Contrary to other books out there supporting helicopter parenting, this book is supported with research and not antidotal stories. In order to develop adults who are internally motivated, self-sufficient and resilient, children need to learn to utilize their critical thinking skills and learn from their mistakes.

For Parents

Parenting from the Inside Out by Daniel Siegel and Mary Hartzell. This book is directed towards the parent, in exploring how our upbringing impacts that way we parent. Some parents who read this may find it helpful to explore therapy for themselves. If you’re interested in therapy for yourself, you can schedule a consultation with me. Although I haven’t read this book, I’ve heard good reviews on it, though it can be a little “brainy”.

To Read to Children

Ladybird’s Remarkable Relaxation: How children can use yoga relaxation to help deal with stress, grief, bullying and lack of confidence by Michael Chissick. As stated in the book title, this book teaches some relaxation techniques to help deal with difficult emotions.

Moody Cow Meditates by Kerry Lee MacLean. This books helps teach children mindfulness and breathing techniques to find calm and peace. It also has a guide to creating a meditation jar.

Judy Wang, LCPC, CPC

Judy Wang is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in Maryland, Nevada, South Carolina, and Vermont. She is EMDR Certified and trained in Exposure and Response Prevention (ERP) for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. With over a decade of experience, Judy specializes in helping individuals navigate anxiety, trauma, OCD, and people-pleasing patterns. She provides personalized care for teens and adults seeking deep, long-term healing and emotional wellbeing.

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