Parenting

Parenting. Now this is a task to be approached with humility, always ready to learn fresh wisdom. If ever we dare to pat ourselves on the back and think, “I’ve got this whole parenting business under wraps; don’t know what your problem is …” Whoa, our own offspring will be the first to cut us down to size. Probably in a spectacularly loud and embarrassing fashion and probably when we’re running late and probably in line at the grocery store (ask me how I know). Not because they’re manner-less meanies (though, they may play that part some days), but because it’s just what they do at this stage of life. They push (buttons — the metaphorical ones and the big red ones), they pull (hair and the loose threads on sweaters), they stretch us (seemingly beyond the limits of sanity) as they learn and grow and find their way. 

Is there a job more demanding or more important than parenting? I’d argue no on both counts. So if ever there was an area in life in which we could all stand to study up, this must be it. To that end, here is a collection of books for parents to educate, to entertain, to sympathize and ultimately to encourage.