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The Best Parenting Books for Connecting, Simplifying, and Making Time

by Jean Van't Hul
October 21, 2015
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The Best Parenting Books to help parents connect, simplify and make time for what really matters

After posting about my struggle with time (for art and creativity) I heard so many of you have similar issues. So, I thought I’d share some of what I consider the best parenting books out there on slowing down and connecting better.

Not that books will solve everyone’s problems. But there’s a lot of perspective and wisdom to be found in books sometimes, and in these books in particular.

These books are not about doing more in order to raise kids who will get into Harvard or be the next president. And conversely, they don’t say we should all eschew society and live in a cabin in the woods.

These are books about parenting in the 21st century. They give us the tools to shape our parenting style, home, and time together intentionally. They are thought provoking and require some work, but it’s worth it, right?

I’ll list the books, expand on each below, and I hope you’ll add your faves in the comments, too.

There’s a little witch at work in the studio…

A photo posted by Jean Van’t Hul | Artful Parent (@jeanvanthul) on

P.S. In case you missed it, here’s my post on 7 Ways to Fit Art in When You Don’t Have the Time.

This list of books I’m sharing has nothing to do with art. If you want to make more time in your family’s life for art and creativity, they can help. But they can also make more time in your family for life and for the things and experiences that matter most to you.

Boat Races at the Creek

This post contains affiliate links. The Best Parenting Books for Connecting, Simplifying & Making Time 

If you’re like me, you probably have a stack of books to read and don’t necessarily need more book recommendations.

Hands Free Life Book But if you feel like your home and family life is out of balance, it might be worth picking up one of these books, letting the ideas percolate, and implementing the ones that make sense for you and your family.

Space to Read

You can fit your reading into any time that you have—at breakfast, while nursing the baby, in the car line, before bed.

I’ve been reading bite-sized chunks of Hands Free Life in the car line and feel like it sets the whole tone for how I interact with the kids after school.

Many of these are even available as audio books, so you can listen to them in the car or while you are washing dishes and folding laundry.

The Kon Mari Book on Decluttering If your house is cluttered and the clutter is preventing you from living the life you want to live because it’s taking up time, space, and energy and causing frustration, then I highly recommend Marie Kondo’s book ::

The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing.

Hands Free Mama Book If you, as a parent, are too busy and over committed, and feel like it’s affecting the quality of your life and your family’s life, I can’t recommend Rachel Macy Stafford’s books enough for helping you re-prioritize and focus on what matters when it matters. And really connecting.

Simplicity Parenting Book If you want to be more intentional about how you shape your child’s day, schedule, and space, Simplicity Parenting by Kim John Payne is awesome. Subtitled Using the Extraordinary Power of Less to Raise Calmer, Happier, and More Secure Kids. Its message is aimed at creating a foundation for younger families.

Free Resources for Intentional Family Living

Anything to add? If you have a favorite book or resource that is relevant please leave a comment below. I’d love to hear about more books about creating time and space in our lives for what matters.

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The Best Parenting Books to help parents connect, simplify and make time for what really matters

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