The Parenting Resources I Recommend Over and Over Again
It’s about time I put them all in one place!
By: Kira Harland
Have you ever been handed a resource list from a doctor and thought, holy cow this is like an encyclopedia? Where do I even start? Yeeeah, this list won’t be like that. I’ll be updating it with only my* favorites.
I have teemed through so many books, online media, and handouts as a Marriage and Family Therapist and Registered Play Therapist that sometimes even I forget what is already out there. So I’ll be updating this list overtime for my cream of the crop parenting resources.
Books
This was a really really hard whittling down but I’m only recommending two (breathe, Kira, breathe). And I’m ordering it so if you only read one, you know where to start.
#1 The Whole Brain Child
This book breaks down early childhood development so you as a parent know what is going on inside of a child’s head. It teaches you how to nurture their development for social and emotional growth.
I love the 12 very simple ideas to keep in mind at all times that will keep you sane around young children!
#2 The Explosive Child
Give me a book that is more validating to raising children with big emotions and I’ll swap this out (spoiler alert, ya can’t!). Dr. Greene’s method for understanding and responding to children’s explosive–and implosive–reactions to stressors is refreshing.
Online WebCourses
I now only recommend one! This is my favorite.
Before Parenting Harmony came around, I’ll be honest, I felt like I was running around sharing videos at parents, scheduling more parent-only sessions, and scratching my head at how they could bring all our wonderful Play Therapy concepts into the home.
Their course Parenting A-E teaches parents how to be, not what to do.
It gives parents easy-to-use tools for how to use Affect (facial expressions, tone of voice, loudness, body position, and more) to have greater Effect on children’s day-to-day mundanity. It includes a dozen songs and a dozen games that enhance emotional regulation and secure attachment, in addition to methods for enlivening the difficult daily rituals. This course costs about the price of two therapy sessions with me, that’s a LOT of bang for your buck.
Social Media Accounts
If you are going to be couch rotting anyways, why not follow some cream of the crop content creators that are me* approved.
#1 Rachael Rogers : @theconsideratemomma
Is she really Christian? Yes. Am I Christian? Absolutely not. Do I love her content anyways? Totally. She is wicked brilliant at teaching parenting concepts, neurodevelopment, and brain science! She gives really great tips especially for angry kids and angry parents. Please check her out.
#2 Destini Ann : @destini.ann
Not only is she a badass mom of two, but her parenting tips are *chefs kiss*. She discusses and teaches about how to discipline with love and connect with children. She also talks a lot about realistic screen-time expectations!
#3 Dr. Chelsey : @drchelsey_parenting
For parents with neurodivergent kiddos, what a resource! She has a wealth of tips for how to switch up language and affect for greater cooperation, empathy, and resilience building in the home.
Downloadable Resources
#1 Rachael Roger’s Calm Down Corner Kit
I use this resource in my play therapy room. It helps kid identify their feelings, their needs, and positive coping tools. I tell all my parents that I work with to go download it and find a place to put it in their home. It may seem dorky, but it works so well.
#2 Parenting Harmony’s 25 Screen-Free Activity Book
Got to give another shout out to Parenting Harmony. These games ALL support healthy attachment and increase a child’s regulation system through dyadic play. I literally thought a play therapist wrote this book. It has games for low, middle, and high energy days, for moments you are short on time or have a lot of space to fill. Couldn’t have written it better myself!
Alright, that is my short-list, my top of the mountain resources that are tried and true. None of these resources replace therapy, however, they work great in conjuction with it. If you are curious how to incorporate your learnings, or struggling in the home, reach out for a free consultation below.
*Kira Harland LMFT, RPT is entitled to her own opinions and in no way thinks this list is exhaustive. There is so much out there!