My Favourite Parenting Resources: Wisdom for Every Season of Mum Life
Let’s be real – parenting is a wild ride, and sometimes the only thing keeping me sane is the sweet sound of another mum saying, “Yep, same here.” Over the years, I’ve survived meltdowns (theirs and mine) thanks to a mix of caffeine, sheer willpower, and some truly fantastic books and podcasts. Whether it was tips on how to stop a tantrum in its tracks or just reassurance that I wasn’t the only one hiding in the pantry eating chocolate, these resources have been absolute lifesavers.
I want to share these gems with the greater SAHM community because let’s face it – we’re all just winging it. Below is a list of the books and podcasts that helped me through different seasons of motherhood. I hope they offer you a little guidance, a lot of laughs, and maybe even a moment of peace (fingers crossed). Links included where possible – because who has time to search for things?
1. Happy Families Podcast – Justin Coulson
Listen Here
Justin Coulson is a parenting expert and father of six, and his podcast feels like advice from a wise (but fun) older brother. He shares research-based parenting tips that are practical and easy to implement. This podcast helped me feel more confident in handling tantrums and building stronger family connections.
2. Parental As Anything – Maggie Dent
Listen Here
Maggie Dent is a gem. Her podcast is filled with humor, empathy, and practical advice for raising resilient kids. Listening to her felt like having a warm hug during some of the tougher days of parenting.
3. Feed Play Love
Listen Here
This podcast covers all things baby, toddler, and preschooler-related. It’s light, easy to digest, and perfect for those snack-sized moments during the day. I found the sleep-related episodes particularly useful.
4. Get Your Glow Back
This podcast is more about wellness for mums. It focuses on self-care, health, and finding balance. I found it refreshing during a time when I felt a bit lost in the whirlwind of motherhood.
5. The Aware Parenting Podcast
Listen Here
A fantastic resource on how to parent with empathy and connection. This podcast helped me understand my children's emotions better and gave me tools for gentle discipline.
6. The Motherly Podcast
Listen Here
This podcast focuses on empowering and inspiring mothers through personal stories and expert advice. I loved listening to other mums' experiences and feeling part of a larger community.
Books & Audiobooks
1. I Didn’t Do The Thing Today – Madeleine Dore (Audiobook)
Find It Here
A reminder that productivity doesn’t define your worth. This was a comforting read during a season when I felt I wasn't "doing enough."
2. Free Range Kids – Lenore Skenazy
Find It Here / Audio Book
A great book about letting kids experience freedom and build resilience. It helped me loosen the reins and trust my kids more.
3. The Power of Showing Up – Daniel J. Siegel & Tina Payne Bryson
Find It Here / Audio Book
This book taught me how important it is to be present for my kids. Simple, but powerful.
4. Do More Better – Tim Challies
Find It Here / Audio Book
A book on productivity with a faith-based approach. It helped me organise my day better, balancing family and personal goals.
5. Balanced and Barefoot – Angela J. Hanscom
Find It Here
A must-read about the importance of outdoor play and physical activity. I found this invaluable during the toddler years.
6. Mindful Money – Canna Campbell
Find It Here
This book helped me get our family finances in order without overwhelming me. Simple and actionable advice.
8. 50 Risks to Take With Your Kids – Daisy Turnbull
Find It Here
A wonderful guide to raising brave, resilient kids. It gave me ideas on how to gently push my children out of their comfort zones.
9. How to Talk So Little Kids Will Listen – Joanna Faber & Julie King
Find It Here
A game-changer! This book transformed how I communicate with my kids. Highly recommend it.
10. Make Your Bed – Admiral William H. McRaven
Find It Here
Short, motivating, and full of life lessons. Great for when you need a quick dose of inspiration.
11. The Lazy Genius Way – Kendra Adachi
Find It Here
Practical, funny, and full of tips for making life easier. This one made a lasting impact.
12. The Read-Aloud Family – Sarah Mackenzie
Find It Here /
Encouraged me to read more with my kids, and the bonding time was priceless.
13. Present Over Perfect – Shauna Niequist
Find It Here
This book helped me slow down and embrace simplicity.
14. 9 Ways to a Resilient Child – Dr. Justin Coulson
Find It Here
I loved the practical advice on raising emotionally strong children. Dr Coulson is a well respected parenting expert in Australia and also has a podcast (link above)
15. Creating Confident Kids – Nadim Saad
A helpful book that offers tips to boost kids' confidence and emotional intelligence.
16. 7. The Secret of Half-Arsed Parenting – Dr. Susie O’Brien
Funny and real. I didn’t finish it all, but the bits I did read made me laugh and let go of perfectionism.
17. The whole Brain Child
This book blends science and practical parenting advice, which I absolutely loved. The research-driven approach helped me understand how my children's brains develop and how to respond in a way that fosters emotional intelligence. It gave me a deeper sense of confidence, knowing the strategies were backed by data.
18. No-Drama Discipline – Daniel J. Siegel & Tina Payne Bryson
Find It Here
This book was a game-changer for managing challenging behavior in a calm and effective way. The emphasis on connection before correction resonated deeply with me, and the techniques helped me approach discipline with more empathy and less frustration.
19. Raising Girls Who Like Themselves – Kasey Edwards & Dr. Christopher Scanlon
Find It Here
As a mum of a daughter, this book was a powerful reminder of the role I play in building her confidence and self-worth. It’s packed with practical advice on fostering resilience and helping girls embrace who they are in a world full of unrealistic expectations.
20. Tweens – Dr. Michelle Mitchell
Find It Here
This book helped me navigate the often tricky tween years with practical strategies and insights. It’s full of advice on how to maintain open communication and build trust during a time when kids start seeking more independence. It was a great resource for understanding the unique challenges of this stage.I hope this list brings value to your parenting journey!
Final Thoughts…
This was just a few that i could think of, I have done a lot of reading (listening) over the years and i just choose resources that fit in with the season of life i am in. When you are a mum you are constantly giving out, sometimes just listening to a book, even while i am still with the kids, gives me a mental break, that i need in the moment. Just to clarify, I haven't actually picked up a book since becoming a mum, i find it difficult to focus, when ever you hear me say "read" just know I mean listen - all my books I listen to through audiobooks
