8 Life Changing Parenting Books For All Christian Moms
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When my first son was born, I read as many parenting books I could get my hands on. As a new mom, I wanted to make sure I had all of the best tips and tricks under my belt, and knew what all of the experts had to say about raising a child.
When my first son was born, it had been years since I’d picked up a Bible. I called myself a “Christian”, but I can look back on myself at the time, years into teaching in a public school, and see how far from that I really was. I’ll forever be grateful for my friend that invited me to a Proverbs Bible study, and I realized just how much wisdom God had given us through His Word.
When my first son was born, I had no idea how God would call me to Him, and that He had so much to say about parenting and raising children. And that by digging into His Word and reading other books with Biblical approaches to parenting, my life (and parenting) would be truly changed.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” God’s Word should be our go-to for wisdom in our parenting journeys. He has a lot to say about the subject, and we should care enough to seek that wisdom.
Though they do not substitute daily intentional Bible study, the following parenting books take wisdom from God’s Word and lay out practical, actionable advice I think is invaluable to Christian parents.
Some of these books paved the way to my homeschooling journey. Some helped me handle toddler tantrums and sibling squabbles. And all of them still affect my parenting today.
8 Life Changing Parenting Books for Christian Moms
Without further ado, here are the parenting books that you are going to want to have in your arsenal if you have young kids at home. You won’t regret reading them!
1. Education: Does God Have An Opinion? by Israel Wayne
This first one I classify as a parenting book, because as parents we are our kids teachers. I remember hearing Israel Wayne speak at the first homeschooling convention I attended, and my eyes were opened to what God had to say about education in the pages of His Word. If I hadn’t been convinced to homeschool then, I certainly was after reading this book.
Israel uses Scripture to show parents what a Biblical philosophy of education is, reveals the true purpose of education, and how we can apply a Biblical worldview to each subject area we teach our kids.
A favorite quote from the book: “Obedience to God is what motivates me to teach my own children at home. It doesn’t make any difference to me what the public school is doing (whether good or bad), because they are not the plumb line. God’s Word is the standard.” (p. 66)
2. I Can’t Believe You Just Said That! by Ginger Hubbard
All of us our sinners, including our kids. And we shouldn’t be surprised that our kids will say things and use words at times which reveal sin in their hearts (which is where it originates). Mark 7:21-22 records Jesus’ words: “For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come – sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance, and folly.”
Ginger’s book provides a solid, Biblical, 3-step approach to many of the parenting woes we encounter with our kids as a result of sin in their hearts. She explains and gives examples of how to train and instruct our kids when they whine, lie, tattle, manipulate, argue, and more.
I love how Ginger views her children’s disobedience as opportunities to train them, not simply to avoid a consequence for their actions, but to live in a way that honors and glorifies God. After reading you’ll be empowered to implement these steps immediately and get to the heart of any behavior issues your kids struggle with.
A favorite quote from the book: “I slowly learned to quit asking, “Why does my child sin?” and began to ask myself, “When my child sins, how might I point him to the fact that he is a sinner in need of a Savior? How might I help him understand and live in the power of the gospel?”.” (p. 3)
3. Four Basic Skills Series by Nicholeen Peck
I picked up this book series at a homeschooling convention after listing to a session from Nicholeen Peck, and they’ve been a big blessing that helps my husband and I teach our kids self-government. If you have kids as young as 3, I highly recommend purchasing this series and implementing the language and strategy with your kids. They’re a bit pricey, but worth it!
Each book focuses on a basic skill, and helps parents teach their kids how to do it. You’ll learn techniques to teach your kids to follow instructions, accept “no” answers, accept consequences, and disagree appropriately. The books rhyme and have great artwork that your kids are sure to love as well.
4. Keeping Your Kids on God’s Side: 40 Conversations to Help Them Build a Lasting Faith by Natasha Crain
This book was one of my first introductions to apologetics, and wow did it open my eyes to so many ways in which I was ill-equipped to give a good reason to what I believed (and why). It really woke me up to the fact that there is an enemy that seeks to deceive our kids, and we need to be prepared.
Our kids’ spiritual growth is our responsibility, and they will be exposed to oppositions to Christianity, if they have not already. As parents, it’s such an important job that we have conversations with our kids about these challenges, help them know and understand the confidence we have in God’s Word, and foster essential critical thinking skills.
This book will encourage you to begin having these conversations. Natasha outlines 40 of them she believes are most urgent, and gives you answers so you have a starting point in your discussions.
A favorite quote from the book: “We have to stop winging our Christian parenting and start getting in shape to prepare our kids for what’s ahead.” (p. 13)
5. Parenting With Love and Logic by Foster Cline and Jim Fay
In this book, the authors outline the importance of allowing your children to encounter real-world situations and face natural consequences, and how this in turn will teach our kids responsibility and accountability.
A big takeaway I had, and that still impacts me today, is the ability I have to avoid power struggles with our kids in our home and parent without anger or nagging.
A favorite quote from the book: “Most mistakes do have logical consequences. And those consequences, when accompanied by empathy – our compassionate understanding of the child’s disappointment, frustration, and pain – hit home with mind-changing power.” (p. 13)
6. Help Your Kids Learn and Love the Bible by Danika Cooley
Moms, I’m sure you know this by now, but it is absolutely essential that we are reading the Bible with our kids, and helping them learn to love doing it. Easier said than done, right?
I was thrilled to have a chance to review this book by Danika Cooley. She equips us parents with practical advice we can use to teach our kids to love the Bible, make it a priority in our homes, and raise our kids for Christ.
After reading, you will be encouraged that you can teach the Bible to their kids, understand why you should be building this habit, and you’ll have a plan of action you can implement immediately with your family.
7. Grace Based Parenting by Tim Kimmel
I really loved reading this book because it is packed with sweet reminders of Christ’s unconditional love for us and how we can model that to our children. Best-selling author Tim Kimmel writes with relatable honesty and humor, revealing how we can raise strong kids (both morally and spiritually) when we truly embrace God’s gift of grace in our own lives.
Near the beginning, Tim shares the three driving inner needs our kids have, and why it’s important that we as parents process everything we say and do through the filter of these inner needs. Don’t worry, he doesn’t leave you hanging; throughout the book, you’ll learn how to meet these needs on a day-to-day basis.
A favorite quote from the book: “Meeting the needs that God hard-wired into them at birth and treating them the way God treats us – these are the things that maybe we’ve missed in our parenting process up until now. And when you specifically place these three inner needs in the forefront of your plan for parenting, they serve as great filters for all the information and advice floating around regarding how to raise your kids.” (p. 26)
8. The Mission of Motherhood by Sally Clarkson
I remember reading this book when my twin daughters were young, and for the first time really understanding that God has a plan, a mission, for mothers. Sally has searched the Scriptures to better know God’s role for mothers, and shares the Biblical wisdom she has learned along the way.
Each chapter ends with thought and reflection, with relevant Scripture verses to accompany the message. There is also “something to try” at the end of each chapter, which is a helpful, practical opportunity to reflect the beauty of God’s design for motherhood in our homes.
Each of these books have bettered me as a mom, and I hope you will consider reading any (or all!) of them.
And I would love to hear from you in the comments: which parenting books have made a big impact on your life? Let me know!
Related Posts
- Tips for Successful Homeschooling: Books All Homeschool Moms Should Read
- 5 Things to Stop Doing to Deepen Your Faith
- How to Be More Consistent with Bible Time in Your Homeschool
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Thank you for this list of great books! Looking forward to exploring some of these I haven’t read. I would also suggest Age of Opportunity by Paul David Tripp. I recommend it to all parents. It’s life changing.
Thank you for the recommendation, I haven’t heard of that one, although I enjoy Paul David Tripp! I’ll check it out!
Oh yes!!! Age of Opportunity is a phenomenal book. It’s geared more so for teens 🙂
Thank you for the book recommendation. Also, for the wonderful Mother’s Day giveaway. What an amazing blessing to a homeschool mama.
Thank you for this opportunity. I have the first book because of you ♡ And look forward to getting to some of the others you have listed.
I cannot imagine being a parent without having God on my side! Thanks for the recommendations.
A favorite quote from the book: “We have to stop winging our Christian parenting and start getting in shape to prepare our kids for what’s ahead.”
This hit home for me and I will be reading this book!
What a wonderful list of books. I haven’t read any of them, but I recognize a few of the authors. They would be good reads.
I have the book ‘Keeping Your Kids on God’s Side’ by Natasha Crain on my shelf but I haven’t gotten to reading it yet. Hopefully soon!
Israel Wayne has a free teaching of about an hr long on the history of schooling. I learned so much that I had my 2 oldest teenage sons listen to it. After listening, my oldest said “My kids WILL be homeschooled!”
It’s crazy isn’t it?? So thankful to be homeschooling!!
I just listened to Help Your Kids Learn and Love the Bible and it was so good. There were some parts that were too overboard for our family but over all I was so encouraged and received great direction. It really helped put that fire in me to be consistent and intentional with our Bible reading. Praise God for this book!
What an amazing giveaway! The chance to win a top-of-the-line kitchen appliance or a $100 gift card is truly exciting. Count me in for this fantastic opportunity! Thanks for the generosity!
Such great recommendations!! Thank you!!