When you are a parenting journalist, you get all the review copies. I once joked to an editor that my byline should read: “I read all the parenting books so that you don’t have to.”
Because English-major habits die hard, I always read these books with a pen in hand.
Here’s how I know I’ve come across a good parenting book: when I’m finished, they are inky and full of post-it tabs. These are the books I place on a special shelf near my desk for referencing, sharing, and rereading.
This month, I’ve added two books to that shelf.
1. Growing Up in Public by Devorah Heitner
I love following Devorah Heitner on social media, so I knew this book would be a good one. One of my pet peeves is the hyperbolic discourse around kids and social media. Breathless headlines churn up the parent-guilt — because we are online and our kids are online and we want to protect them but it all seems so murky and hard.
Devorah is such a voice of wisdom and reason: the internet isn’t going away, so how do we help kids develop their resilience, identity, and character — so that they can grow up strong in a digital world?
Long before this book came out, Devorah’s work had influenced my parenting — to focus on being curious instead of judgmental, to actively look for ways to use digital tools as points of connection with my kids, to recognize that all screen time is not created equal, and to have honest conversations with my kids about my own joys and struggles with navigating the online world.
Want a taste of the book? Read Melinda Wenner Moyer’s feature on it in this week’s New York Times.
2. Middle School Superpowers by Phyllis Fagell
I knew I’d like Phyllis Fagell from the moment I picked up her first book, Middle School Matters. When I interviewed her for the article How Parents Can Help Middle Schoolers Build Confidence and Character, my instincts were confirmed.
Here was a person who not only adores middle schoolers as much as I do (WHICH IS A LOT!), she has a wealth of experience in bringing out the best in this misunderstood and maligned group of kids. She is funny AND super practical — and makes you feel like you have a wise coach cheering you on.
In her latest book, Middle School Superpowers, Phyllis focuses on twelve strengths we can nurture in our tweens — strengths that they crave and want to develop anyway:
Flexibility, Belonging, Sight, Bounce, Agency, Forcefield, Security, Healing, Vulnerability, Daring, Optimism, Balance
If you have kids in or approaching their middle school years, this is the book you want on your bedside table.
Want a taste of the book? Read her CNN article on five ways to build up a middle-schooler’s self-image.
Have you read any great parenting books recently? Share in the comments!
Cheers,
Deborah
P.S. For some reason, this article of mine has been making the rounds again this week. And that makes me happy because I put a lot of myself into it. In case you haven’t read it:
I think I fear the tween the most. A few friends who were teachers mentioned that they love teaching elementary and high school but absolutely dread the thought of teaching middle school. It’s wonderful that there are resources to help navigate this intimidating phase.