I recommend the book, Freeing Our Families from Perfectionism, by Thomas S. Greenspan. It answered a lot of questions for me about the way I was as a child (and adult) and gave me a new perspective on my own family. It also opened my eyes to a whole new look at perfectionism, especially in children, as it's not just about wanting to do things "perfectly."

My idea of "recommended reading" is The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein. It’s about a boy and a tree, how the tree loves the boy and the boy loves the tree. It’s about giving and receiving. It’s about learning that age doesn't necessarily mean "uselessness" but rather value and strength. It’s about the courage it takes to love and the humbleness it takes to be loved. It is by far my most favorite book. The more times I read it, the more meaning it gives me. Give it a try, I think you'll like it too.

When my kids were babies, it was The Baby Book by Dr. Sears, but only if you’re open to attachment parenting! One of my favorites to read to the kids right now is You're All My Favorites by Sam McBratney, a great book for multiple children. For almost a year, my 2-3 year old made me read Go Dogs Go every night! The answer to the question...so depends on where the parent is (mentally/emotionally) and the age of the children!!

A few of my favorites for parents: The Baby Book by Dr. Sears. This was (and is!) a fantastic resource for us to learn about parenting babies and toddlers. Kids Are Worth It! Revised Edition: Giving Your Child the Gift of Inner Discipline by Barbara Coloroso. This book gives both practical advice and parenting theory. It is a great follow-up for parents who followed a more attachment parenting philosophy with their children, but who are finding that they need more tools now that their little ones are no longer quite so little. For the Children's Sake by Susan S. MacAulay. This is a great book that looks more at children's educational needs and their capabilities, but it also challenges the reader to think about how they want their children to be when they are grown up.