As a father of two young children, I thought I had parenting all figured out. But like most parents, I often find myself at a loss for what to do when my kids are being particularly difficult or when I feel like I'm not doing a good job.
That's when I turn to books. Not just any books, but books on parenting that remind me why being a father can be fun, even when it's hard.
Recently, I spoke to a few other Mumbai fathers to see which books they turn to when they need inspiration. Here are some of their favorites:
This book is a must-read for any parent looking to better understand their child's brain development. It provides practical strategies for nurturing your child's emotional intelligence and helping them to become more resilient in the face of challenges.
One father I spoke to said that reading this book helped him to better empathize with his children and to see things from their perspective.
Another father noted that the book's emphasis on developing the "upstairs brain" (which is responsible for more complex cognitive functions like reasoning and problem-solving) was particularly helpful in dealing with his child's schoolwork.
This book challenges the conventional wisdom that rewards and punishments are effective motivators for children. Instead, Kohn argues that they can actually undermine intrinsic motivation and lead to less desirable behaviors in the long run.
One father I spoke to said that this book completely changed his approach to discipline, and that he now focuses on building his child's internal motivation rather than relying on external rewards or punishments.
If you have a toddler, you know that tantrums and meltdowns can be a daily occurrence. This book provides strategies for handling these situations in a way that respects your child's feelings while also setting boundaries.
One father I spoke to said that the book's "Toddler-ese" technique (which involves mirroring your child's emotions and language in order to better communicate with them) was a game-changer for him.
So the next time you're feeling stuck or frustrated as a parent, consider picking up one of these books. You just might find a new perspective on why parenting can be fun.
After reading The Whole-Brain Child, I realized that sometimes my children's behavior is less about them being "naughty" and more about their brains still developing. This has helped me to be more patient and empathetic when my kids are struggling.
Parenting / Self-Improvement
Curated by Team Akash.Mittal.Blog
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