The 5 best books for toddler parenting you need now

If you are finding this stage of parenthood hard, you’re not alone. Here are the best books for toddler parenting to get you through these challenging times.

These books will not only help you navigate the toddler years and beyond, but remind you to look internally, take a breath and be kind to yourself.

If you feel like having your own tantrums sometimes or just overwhelmed by it all, read these best books for toddler parenting for some compassion and support.

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1. What to Expect: The Second Year by Heidi Murkoff

I’m starting with an all-inclusive manual to managing your toddler and knowing what to expect each step of the way.

Disclaimer: I read much of this too late and realised it would have saved me a lot of trouble and confusion (on what to expect) if I’d read it before my daughter hit 2! Don’t make my mistake.

You will know Heidi Murkoff from her most famous book What to Expect When You’re Expecting and she has a whole course of books to support you on every stage of your pregnancy and motherhood.

Her books are super detailed (and heavy in weight!) which can feel overwhelming when you first pick them up. But you can either read them the whole way through, or alternatively use them as a reference book when needed.

She really covers every little thing going on in parenting! Sometimes I have quite an obscure concern but when I check the index, it’s always there. Clearly, I’m not the only one worrying about some random things with my toddler.

2. Oh Crap! I have a Toddler by Jamie Glowacki

Many of you will have heard of or used Jamie Glowacki’s first famous book Oh Crap! Potty Training. This is quite the potty training bible for many. I must admit I didn’t follow it to the letter, but I did take a lot of advice from it and find her rationale really strong.

Oh Crap! I have a Toddler is the second book in the series. She’s super pragmatic and captures how frustrating parenting a toddler can be. She’s also good at conveying how the toddler is experiencing things and reacting as they do.

Her style isn’t for everyone as she’s super direct and doesn’t hold back, but I really like her style and how she explains things so clearly and succinctly.

She’s also really funny. She has two podcasts which are brilliant and supplement both books, giving more information and examples.

It’s great to hear her voice and delivery. Even her podcasts are short and to the point. This lady doesn’t muck around and us parents don’t have time for anything less.

3. How To Talk So Little Kids Will Listen: A Survival Guide to Life with Children Ages 2-7 by Joanna Faber and Julie King

You might recognise this one as it’s a brilliant bestseller. It’s also part of a wider ‘How to talk’ series which will help you through the various stages of parenting. These authors focus on effective communication and again remind us to consider the perspectives of our little ones.

They have a lovely, down-to-earth style of writing which will draw you in and keep you engaged, with plenty of easy-to-apply practical tips. They use good examples and anecdotes to get the point across.

The age range of this book is two to seven, so it will take you way beyond the toddler years and then you can move onto the next in the series. They will help you through the worst of the meltdowns (theirs and yours) and all the bits in-between.

4. How to Be a Calm Parent by Sarah Ockwell-Smith

You may know this author already as she’s also written a selection of books on gentle parenting and the different stages our little ones go through. Sarah Ockwell-Smith writes in an honest and relatable style.

This is a supportive book with lots of practical ideas and questions to challenge your thinking, and help you form new ways forward. And this one is really focused on you as the parent and your needs.

There are some points of the book which I felt weren’t necessary, like helping you organise your household stuff, although others may like that.

But overall, it did make me feel better about the massive responsibility of parenting and balancing that while working full-time.

5. Screamfree Parenting by Hal Runkel

It was the title of this book that caught my eye. I had to laugh although when you are dealing with a toddler tantrum, it’s really not funny and very stressful. This author gets that but reminds us that children need their parents to remain unflappable and dependable.

He also references how parents are now living in incredibly anxious times, giving context to why we feel so overwhelmed as parents. Many parents who experience anxiety will appreciate this aspect.

This book also has plenty of examples and references to drive his points home and help you improve your own responses to situations. It’s not just for parents of toddlers, but those with children of all ages.

That’s your list of best books for toddler parenting to feel confident and prepared…

These are the best books for toddler parenting so equip yourself and be ready for every scenario! There are particular situations which these books can prepare you for, or they can give you food for thought on your own reactions.

These books are quite different in perspectives, but most come back to a similar guideline: you need to take care of yourself so you are able to be the best parent you can. When you feel better in yourself, you will be better able to tackle difficult situations and stay level-headed.

We all know parenting is really challenging. As cute as our toddlers are, they are also incredibly exhausting. These are the best books for toddler parenting to see you through it all and help you get perspective.

Keep reading books and blogs like this, to find solid advice and to help yourself through parenthood and tricky situations. A classic scenario I struggled with led to my post on toddler toothbrushing tips as I never knew (what should be) a two minute job could cause such drama.

For more on toddler mum life, read how to travel with a toddler as well as fun and cheap toddler trips out to keep them entertained in an easy way that you can enjoy too.

Bookmark this for later or for sharing with other mums in your life. These books would also make great gifts for others!