This important book was on display at my local library. I’m so glad I picked it up! I love the ideas. This book isn’t like other parenting books. This is a collection of essays by disabled parents that reveals they are masters at problem solving and have found creative ways to get around barriers. Their openness helped me realize how daunting it can be for some to choose to become parents.

Parenting coach and Washington Post columnist Meghan Leahy asked herself, “Could I write a book that provides some hope, while also challenging you to be more compassionate, more loving, and more open to your child and yourself?” This 2020 book is the result. She wants parents to trust their own gut. She explains, “I see my role as a parenting coach as culling the immense wisdom, experience, and knowledge of the previous generations of parents, combining it with today’s science and real-world parenting needs, and helping each and every parent find their intuitive voice.

When parenting feels hard, parents can become desperate for a solution. The urgent need for improvement leads us to search for quick-fix solutions. That must’ve been what Dr. Kevin Leman had in mind when he wrote his 2015 book, “Have a Happy Family by Friday.” The title implies that the changes will be quickly implemented with immediate results. But, of course we now that our families can’t be changed in just a few days.

While browsing the “New Releases” shelf at my library, I came across a parenting book that was published just six months ago. The title caught my eye since I am in the midst of parenting teens and young adults. The School of Hard Talks: How to Have Real Conversations with Your (Almost Grown) Kids by Emily Kline The book promises to improve our relationships with our children by helping us connect and communicate better.

Read this with your kids: The Keeper of the Bees by Gene Stratton Porter I have been in charge of many homeschool book clubs. Finding a book for a homeschool book group can be challenging for at least three reasons: Most homeschool book clubs have a wide range of ages. Many homeschoolers believe their 12-year-old children are old enough to handle “high school level” material. Many homeschoolers are protective of their children and don’t want them reading smutty stuff.

“How can I get my child to become a better writer?” is a question I’ve heard repeatedly. One thing that works for me is finding my own pleasure in writing. Reading “First you Write a Sentence” by Joe Moran has increased my enthusiasm and motivation to write well. While on an afternoon walk with a friend, the rain unexpectedly started in on us. I thought of Moran’s descriptions of the onomatopoeia of the rain vocabulary, encouraging his readers to be more precise with their words.

Here are a few books we’ve been enjoying from our local library. When Stars Are Scattered In addition to having a paper copy, we listened to the award-winning audio for this moving graphic novel. What a fantastic collaboration by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed! Highly Recommend. Milloo’s Mind This is a delightful story about the opportunity to attend school. The illustrations were fantastic and the true story very inspiring. Tricking the Tallyman As we’ve been using the Census for our family history studies, my son has been more interested in details about the census.

Witty and clever, I love this book about being a mother within the Jewish faith. Her main theme is that anyone can “adapt Jewish tricks for raising flexible, quick-thinking, literate, open-minded kids.” I love her confidence! Her writing is sprinkled with Yiddish vocabulary, such as vontz: “the kid may become an egocentric little vontz (Yiddish for bedbug, an excellent term for an annoying person).” “Mothers have power." Ingall emphasizes the value of the role, “Women tend to be more religious than men (which is why Judaism, a largely home-based faith, has been not only practiced but also transmitted by women).

One contribution my husband makes to our homeschool is a “personal finance” book group. We read a book individually and discuss it as a group. I appreciate his efforts to instill financial literacy in our children. One of his selections I recently enjoyed was “The Psychology of Money” by Morgan Housel. Not only are Morgan Housel’s ideas good for financial concepts, they also really apply to homeschooling as well!

Every homeschooler (and any parent!) should read this excellent book from Claire Lerner: “Why is my Child in Charge?” Claire Lerner is the insightful friend who can help you get to the root of your parenting problem. She helps you realize what you can actually control and change. Her anecdotes especially focused on children ages 2-7, but are easily applicable to older kids. Reading the book makes you feel excited to tackle the next problem because you feel equipped to keep yourself in control.