The Ultimate List of Gentle Parenting Books

Best Books to Help You Use Gentle Parenting

Gentle Parenting is an amazing way to parent a child, it’s respectful, intentional and loving. Some things about Gentle Parenting can come really natural to a parent, like picking up a crying baby, but other things can take time to learn, especially when society wants us to parent in a very different way. As Gentle Parenting moms we need support, and so I have compiled a master list of Gentle Parenting books.

There are a lot of parenting books out there, especially Christian parenting books, that advocate for spanking. It can be difficult to find books that support what we believe as Christian Gentle Parents, so this list is to help anyone chose a book that is supportive of Gentle Parenting practices. 

I’m sure as time goes by I will add more. If there are any books you love that are in line with Gentle Parenting please let me know in the comments.

Some of these books I have read personally and others are recommendations from others who practice Gentle Parenting.

If you have a strong-willed child and need some books specific to that make sure to check out my list of books for disciplining a strong-willed child.

(This post contains affiliate links, which means if you happen to buy a product I love then I may get a commission – at no extra cost to you! For all the Ts and Cs go here.)

* Books that are written with a Christian perspective.

*Heartfelt Discipline: Following God’s Path of Life to the Heart of Your Child

by Clay Clarkson

Check it out here

The Whole-Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child’s Developing Mind

by Daniel J. Siegel, M.D. and Tina Payne Bryson, Ph.D.

Check it out here

No-Drama Discipline: the whole-brain way to calm the chaos and nurture your child’s developing mind 

by Daniel J. Siegel, M.D. and Tina Payne Bryson, Ph.D.

Check it out here

The Yes Brain: How to Cultivate Courage, Curiosity, and Resilience in Your Child

by Daniel J. Siegel, M.D. and Tina Payne Bryson, Ph.D.

Check it out here

How to Talk so Kids Will Listen and Listen so Kids Will Talk

by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish

Check it out here

How to Talk so Little Kids Will Listen: A Survival Guide to Life with Children Ages 2-7

by Joanna Faber and Julie King

Check it out here

*Triggers

by Amber Lia and Wendy Speake

Check it out here

*Jesus, The Gentle Parent: Christian Gentle Parenting

by L.R. Knost

Check it out here

The Gentle Parent: Positive, Practical, Effective Discipline

by L.R. Knost

Check it out here

Two Thousand Kisses a Day: Gentle Parenting Through the Ages and Stages

by L.R. Knost

Check it out here

Parenting from the Inside Out: How a Deeper Self-Understanding Can Help You Raise Children Who Thrive

by Daniel J. Siegel, M.D. and Tina Payne Bryson, Ph.D.

Check it out here

Siblings Without Rivalry

by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish

Check it out here

No Bad Kids: Toddler Discipline Without Shame

by Janet Lansbury

Check it out here

Positive Discipline: The First Three Years

by Jane Nelsen, Cheryl Erwin and Roslyn Duffy

Check it out here

*Families Where Grace Is in Place: Building a Home Free of Manipulation, Legalism, and Shame

by Jeff VanVonderen

Check it out here

The Gentle Parenting Book: How to raise calmer, happier children from birth to seven

by Sarah Ockwell-Smith

Check it out here

Gentle Discipline: Using Emotional Connection–Not Punishment–to Raise Confident, Capable Kids

by Sarah Ockwell-Smith

Check it out here

The Gentle Sleep Book

by Sarah Ockwell-Smith

Check it out here

The Gentle Potty Training Book: The calmer, easier approach to toilet training

by Sarah Ockwell-Smith

Check it out here

Calm Parents, Happy Kids: The Secrets of Stress-free Parenting

by Dr. Laura Markham

Check it out here

The Connected Child: Bring Hope and Healing to Your Adoptive Family

by Karyn B. Purvis, David Cross, and Wendy Lyons Sunshine

Check it out here

*Grace Based Parenting

by Dr Tim Kimmel

Check it out here

It’s worth noting though that at the very end of this book the authors makes a very short statement that he did spank his children sometimes. Everything else though he teaches focused on non-spanking forms of discipline. I’m leaving it on this list though for anyone who might be struggling to convince their Christian partner to use Gentle Parenting if they don’t trust anyone who rejects spanking completely. The strategies taught here in this book are much more effective than spanking.