by pixabay.com

Parenting Wisdom from Your Library

"If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales. If you want them to be more intelligent, read them more fairy tales." Albert Einstein

Being a parent can be such a joyful and life-affirming time in our lives, but also a very confusing and frightening time. There are so many theories out there about the "correct" way to nurture your child. Dunedin Public Libraries have an excellent parenting section (Dewey number 649) with many evidence-based books to give you good information.

We have classics from NZ parenting experts like Steve BiddulphIan Grant, Celia LashlieNigel Latta and Dorothy Waide. I particularly like the positive message in He'll Be OK: Growing Gorgeous Boys into Good Men by Celia Lashlie.

We also can't forget the Australian writer Kaz Cooke, who has written a sequel to her bestselling book Up the Duff (subject obvious) called Babies & Toddlers: The Sequel to Up the Duff.

Two very interesting recent NZ books are Parenting in the Anthropocene edited by Emma Johnson. This multi-author book explores many issues - from tikanga Māori and collective care in child-rearing through to new family forms, futures literacy, and shifting economic models and societal structures. Also, Smart Mothering: What Science Says about Caring for Your Baby and Yourself by Psychologist Natalie Flynn. She has examined all the research on key baby topics such as feeding, sleeping and crying and come up with some key facts. 

Dunedin Public Libraries holds the magazine Kiwi Parent, which is published by Parents Centres NZ Inc. Each issue has excellent articles about all aspects of parenting from a unique kiwi perspective.

And if you want to take Einstein's advice, have a look at the fantastic collection of fairy tales in the Children's section. We also have many treasures in our stacks so ask at the Children's Desk.

Here are some recent books in our adult non-fiction collection that have caught my eye. These books look at parenting from different angles. 

Growing Up with Two Languages: A Practical Guide for Multilingual Families and Those Who Support Them Una Cunningham

How To Be a Calm Parent: Lose the Guilt, Control Your Anger and Tame the Stress - For More Peaceful and Enjoyable Parenting and Calmer, Happier Children Too Sarah Ockwell-Smith

Rise of the Girl: Seven Empowering Conversations to Have with Your Daughter Jo Wimble-Groves

The Family Firm: A Data-Driven Guide to Better Decision Making in the Early School Years Emily Oster

We've Got This: Stories by Disabled Parents Edited by Eliza Hull

Wish We Knew What to Say: Talking with Children about Race Pragya Agarwal