That is part of the beauty of all literature. You discover that your longings

are universal longings, that you’re not lonely and isolated from anyone.

You belong.

― F. Scott Fitzgerald

When I was growing up, my neighborhood library held the “Super Summer Reading Program.” I so fondly recall weekly trips to the library with my Mom to pick up my stack of books and return home to swing on the porch hammock with a gripping mystery in hand. After each book read, I would carefully record the title in my log to turn in at the end of the summer for the great satisfaction of a list of 55 books conquered and a free pizza from the local pizzeria. When summer breezes blow, I yearn for books to take me away and for that time when leisure was abundant. Summertime is now a good opportunity for me to read for both pleasure and substance. There are many incredible resources for parents now though some are weighty and make us feel a bit overwhelmed by our critical role. Others though empower us with tools, strategies and great ideas and it is these that I find enjoyable reads and also, as I try out the strategies, significant contributors to my family’s happiness. My editor (the very Mom who took me to the library so many times) and I worked together to compose a summer reading list that fits these helpful descriptors.

Confident Parents, Confident Kids will be taking a summer vacation so that there is time to read, to play and enjoy all that summer has to offer. In your summer reading, do consider returning to the treasure trove of older posts on this site that may be opportunities for inspiration on how to improve your family dinner, how to support transitions in your family life, or how to help your children practice self-control and much more. Have a joyful summer and Confident Parents, Confident Kids will return in the fall with the start of the school year to bring you more opportunities for dialogue and inspiration with the hope of stirring in you greater confidence in actively promoting your children’s social and emotional competence.

For Parents

The Happiest Mom: 10 Secrets to Enjoying Motherhood by Megan Francis

This book contains ideas to help manage and enjoy the sometimes overwhelming job of parenting.

The Book of New Family Traditions: How to Create Great Rituals for Holidays and Everyday by Meg Cox

This book discusses easy ways to bring ritual back into everyday life through enjoyable daily routines and also during holidays.

The Rhythm of Family; Discovering a Sense of Wonder through the Seasons by Amanda Blake Soule and Stephen Soule

This wonderful book has sections for each season of the year with ideas and projects for exploring and enjoying as a family the most that season has to offer. Don’t read it straight through but keep it on your shelf as a resource and primer as you enter each season.

The Family Dinner; Great Ways to Connect with your Kids, One Meal at a Time by Laurie David

Recipes, games and other fun ideas for connecting as a family are found in this useful book.

The Creative Family; How to Encourage Imagination and Nurture Family Connections by Amanda Blake Soule

This book is loaded with fun ideas for exploring nature and using common household items to play, get creative and connect as a family.

Last Child in the Woods; Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder by Richard Louv

Children are exploring the natural world less and less with the pull of electronic media inside the household. This book not only discusses the importance of allowing children to connect with nature, but also practical ways to make it happen on a regular basis.

Sharing Nature with Children 20^th Anniversary Edition by Joseph Cornell

This is a classic for nature lovers. It provides lot of outdoor games and ways to connect with your children by experiencing nature together.

A Child’s Garden: 60 Ideas to Make Any Garden Come Alive for Children by Molly Dannenmaier

This book offers practical ways to create intentional garden spaces for children to explore.

15 Minutes Outside: 365 Ways to Get Out of the House and Connect with your Kids by Rebecca Cohen

This book offers plenty of easy ideas for outdoor activities with your children.

The Arts and Crafts Busy Book by Trish Kuffner

Arts and crafts projects to encourage creativity and self-expression in 2-6 year olds.

Parenting from the Inside Out; How a Deeper Self-Understanding Can Help You Raise Children Who Thrive by Daniel Siegel and Mary Hartzell

This book is a powerful guide to better understanding a parent’s own childhood and how those experiences shape decisions made today as a parent. Growing in self-understanding and compassion as a parent can result in a growing compassion and responsive parenting style for children.

The Mindful Child; How to Help your Kid Manage Stress and Become Happier, Kinder and More Compassionate by Susan Kaiser Greenland

This book provides guidance and useful activities and games for parents to teach social and emotional skills and help children develop a sense of mindfulness to deal with stress and become more present to the moment.

Gift from the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh

This book is a meditation on time spent experiencing the ocean and all that the beach in summertime has to offer including reflections on marital and parent-child relationships.

Have a relaxing, enjoyable summer!