No Drama Discipline ($10.87)  Highlighting the fascinating link between a child’s neurological development and the way a parent reacts to misbehavior, No-Drama Discipline provides an effective, compassionate road map for dealing with tantrums, tensions, and tears—without causing a scene. Authors Tina Payne Byson and Daniel J. Siegel explain how to reach your child, redirect emotions, and turn a meltdown into an opportunity for growth. By doing so, the cycle of negative behavior (and punishment) is essentially brought to a halt, as problem solving becomes a win/win situation. Complete with candid stories and playful illustrations that bring the authors’ suggestions to life, No-Drama Discipline shows you how to work with your child’s developing mind, peacefully resolve conflicts, and inspire happiness and strengthen resilience in everyone in the family. on Amazon

Mind in the Making: The Seven Essential Life Skills Every Child Needs ($11.49) Author Ellen Galinsky has spent her career analyzing how children learn. And in this book collaborates with researchers in the science of childhood brain development to come up with seven important life skill to help kids reach their full potential. The skills are presented in a readable and accessible volume enlivened by parents’ narratives about what works and what doesn’t, hints and tips, and over a hundred suggestions (games and family activities) for involving kids in the pursuit of learning.  on Amazon

Teaching Kids to Think: Raising Confident, Independent, and Thoughtful Children in an Age of Instant Gratification ($9.99)  Why Do Kids These Days Expect Everything to be Given to Them?  If you’ve ever heard another parent ask that question, or have thought it yourself, this book might be worth picking up. Many have called this generation the Instant Gratification Generation and this in many ways has made them more dependent on adults than any previous group. Dr. Darlene Sweetland and Dr. Ron Stolberg posit that kids are being taught not to think. While that may be a stretch, the book offers some great ways for parent’s to lessen their kids need for instant gratification, and offer practical tips and easy-to-implement solutions to address topics relevant to children of all ages.  on Amazon

Free-Range Kids: Giving Our Children the Freedom We Had Without Going Nuts with Worry ($9.99)  You’re probably heard or read about “Free Range Kids”, and this book was what started the discussion. It’s been dissected, argued about, and covered extensively through the media. You might agree or disagree with the thoughts this book promotes, but either way it’s a great read designed to help you think more about how you are raising your kids and what boundaries you put around them, and why.  We parents have to realize that the greatest risk of all just might be trying to raise a child who never encounters choice or independence.  on Amazon