Excellent Parenting Resources

October 16, 2012 at 8:08 am (Education & Learning, General)

Last year I did a post on the best parenting resources of which I know. These are authors with the most helpful parenting tips, advice, and information out there: my favorites. This year, I’d like to revisit the list. I’ve come across some really great blogs in the last year, and  I’d like to add some updates. My RSS reader is getting lengthy, especially the “Positive Parenting” category! Here are a few new additions; these are the sites I love, as the topics are relevant to all families and children, and they consistently have great content:

Abundant Life Children — Emily Plank is an early childhood educator who writes this blog about honoring a child’s mind, body and spirit. Her topics center around nonviolent communication, natural learning, and respectful relationships…all crucial in working with children.

Core Parenting–Dr. Darci Walker is consistent and thorough when she writes about simple concepts in parenting. She gives well-thought-out explanations to important issues families go through. Her message is not that there’s a “right” way to parent, just ways to help children thrive. Her blog really gets at the core of effective parenting.

Elevating Childcare–Janet Lansbury is an RIE educator (Resources for Infant Educarers), which is a philosophy of caring for infants that focuses on meeting their needs and entrusting the whole of a child’s development to the child. I love the focus on respect trust as well as Janet’s supportive and nonjudgmental writing style.

Good Job & Other Things–Jennifer Lehr writes this thought-provoking blog about the messages we really send to our kids with the things we say. I enjoy her analysis of common parenting vernacular, as well as her pointed, often humorous, way of saying exactly what she thinks. She and I recently had an email conversation about the use of the word “discipline” as it is used to describe “positive discipline.” Super nice lady and a really interesting discussion!

Ordinary Courage — I love this blog by Brené Brown. Although not dedicated to specific parenting techniques, Brené’s work is helpful to parents nonetheless. She writes about communication, relationships, inner strength, happiness, embracing imperfection, and yes also parenting. I find her work personally inspiring and especially love her “Wholehearted Parenting” manifesto from her new book, Daring Greatly:

Positive Parenting Connection–Ariadne Brill is a Certified Positive Discipline Educator and writes this blog as a way to bring parents together with the shared goal of learning peaceful parenting. It is full of practical ideas, helpful tips, and tons of support.

Teach Through Love — Lori Petro offers a video blog along with her online classes. This vlog is a nice change of pace from the typical “text only” blogs. Lori talks easily about issues and examples of conscious parenting. It’s like you’re sitting down to chat with a friend!

Twin Coach–Gina Osher is a mom of twins, but her blog is not just for parents of twins. Anyone can get a lot out of this  resource that is dedicated to helping parents understand themselves and their kids better. Gina’s posts help parents become more mindful of behavior (both their own and their kids’).

I don’t have any new books to add to the list, but keep an eye out for Dr. Laura Markham’s book, Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids, due out in November. It will be one not to be missed!

Now, I know there are so many more parenting resources out there than just these! I am gradually exploring many of them. If you have a favorite that is not on this list, let me know, I’d love to check it out. Of course, every great blog has a great Facebook page, so make sure you check the pages of the above blogs out to be sure to catch all of their updates and discussion threads.

Happy reading and here’s to mindful parenting!