Book Reviews
If you have ever wandered into the self-help, parenting, or mental health sections of your local library or book store then you know just how many options you have and how overwhelming it can be to pick the book that is right for you. In fact, sometimes it feels like all we do is search for books that will give us the resources we need, and far too many books just don’t help. Because we are parents too, we know you don’t have a lot of extra time, so as we find books that have helped us we will add them to our list.
Every family is different, so the books that have helped us may not help you, but take a look and see if our suggestions will get you started on the right track.
If you have a book you would like to add to our list, just let us know!
Check out the books already reviewed by parents below!
Drowning with My Hair on Fire: Insanity Relief for Adoptive Parents
Mom from Boise says:
Are you tired of the long books that tell you much of the same things before you get to the nugget of info that relates or is helpful to you? Eshelman’s experience and understanding shines in these letters to parents that you can read each day. When you’re needing (brief – some insights are less than a page) help, hope, inspiration, advice, direction or reminders, Eshelman, founder of The Attach Place Center for Strengthening Relationships and in practice since 1987, with her wry humor and serious insight can make your next few hours or days less heavy. Here’s an example: “A shame-free life feels like walking on marshmallows.” My copy has a lot of tabbed pages! (I couldn’t find this in my library.)
“When a stranger calls you mom”: A child development and relationship perspective on why abused and neglected children think, feel, and act the way they do
Parent in Boise says:
Wrightslaw: Special Education Law
A Parent in Ammon says:
Once I realized my child needed special education services, I quickly figured out that I needed to know everything there was to know about my child’s rights. This book is technical and explains the federal laws that govern special education. It includes case law to help you know how the laws have been interpreted. I would buy a copy (instead of borrowing from the library) and use a highlighter and sticky notes to index everything that applies to you child. I have referred to it many times over the years. In our special education journey, this has been my go-to book, but it is not an easy read.
The Price of Silence: A Mom’s Perspective on Mental Illness
A Parent in Iona says:
Reading this book was a turning point in our journey with raising children with mental illness. It brought a sense of peace and comfort to know that we were NOT alone. It validated the thoughts, feelings, and experiences we have had raising children with extremely difficult behaviors and being blamed by family, friends, neighbors, professionals, law enforcement, and society as a whole.
The author brings awareness to the many systems we interact with and difficulties we face getting the proper support, care, and resources we need to help our loved ones. I believe this book is for everyone, not just families with mental illness. If all teachers, social workers, law enforcement, law makers, all medical and mental health providers, friends, neighbors, families, and society as a whole read this book and let it penetrate their hearts, it would bring about a mighty change for good.
Parent from Chubbuck says:
Don’t let the crazy long title intimidate you! This is a great book about navigating the IEP process. It’s maybe 100 pages long and is easy to read. The author is a mom to special needs kiddos and is an attorney so she understands the legal jargon and puts it in simple, understandable terms. She lays out the IEP process and how to prepare for meetings. She uses her own experience as a guide to the most important steps and how to build a good relationship with schools. I have read this book cover to cover twice and reference it often when it’s time for a meeting or I want something new in my sons IEP.