If you’re looking for sensible, effective, credible resources for parenting and discipline, the following books may be a good place to start. The most important thing is to find the system/strategies that best fit you and your family. You may find ideas you like and ideas you dislike in the same book! It is important to remember that behaviors may temporarily get worse before they get better when you implement a new discipline plan, and that consistency and follow-through are two of the most important concepts in discipline.

If you have feedback on these resources or find others that help you, please let me know so I can keep an updated and informed list. Thank you!

Jaime Guffey

School Counselor, Taylorville Primary School

1-2-3 Magic: Effective Discipline for Children 2-12 by Thomas W. Phelan

Kids, Parents, and Power Struggles: Winning for a Lifetime by Mary Sheedy Kurcinka

Kids Are Worth It! by Barbara Coloroso is one my personal favorite parenting books. It is relevant to youngsters and teenagers and takes a great attitude toward raising children into healthy, responsible adults.

No More Misbehavin’: 38 Difficult Behaviors and How to Stop Them by Michele Borba

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Families by Stephen R. Covey and Sandra Merrill Covey is a great resource for building a positive family culture.

Parenting with Love & Logic by Foster Cline and Jim Fay focuses on raising responsible children using empathy and logical consequences. It is written from a Christian viewpoint.

Best Friends, Worst Enemies by Michael Thompson and Catherine O’Neill Grace covers a range of topics related to children’s friendships and social development.

A wonderful book that specifically talks about parenting boys is Raising Cain by Dan Kindlon and Michael Thompson.