Reading Resources

Topics: Adoption, Children & Parents, Christian Life, Health, Infertility, Psychology

Adoption

Choosing to See by Mary Beth Chapman
A heartfelt account of one couple’s adoption journey and their faith through grief and loss.

Murphy’s Three Homes: A Story for Children in Foster Care by Jan Levinson Gilman A child psychologist addresses children’s confusion, grief/loss, guilt / shame, anger, distrust & loneliness.

Children & Parents

The Behavior Code: A Practical Guide to Understanding and Teaching the Most Challenging Students
by Nancy Rappaport
Succinct strategies for responding to various behaviors related to special needs diagnoses. Written for educators, but useful for parents advocating.


Montessori From The Start by Lynn Lillard Jessen
Research-based, timeless, comprehensive approach to raising an intelligent, independent, socially responsible child.

NurtureShock by Po Bronson & Ashley Merryman
Provides practical tips for parenting issues based on recent psychological research.

Infant Massage: A Handbook for Loving Parents by Vimala McClure
For women experiencing Postpartum Depression, dads or any caregiver who wants to bond better with their child.

When Dad Hurts Mom: Helping Your Children Heal the Wounds of Witnessing Abuse by Lundy Bancroft
A non-judgmental look at patterns of domestic violence, how witnessing it affects your children, and how you can help them heal.


To Have and to Hold: Motherhood, Marriage, and the Modern Dilemma by Molly Millwood
For those who feel unseen/unheard as mothers, this book speaks to systemic gender, relationship & societal expectations impacting women’s wellbeing in the season of life.


Treating Explosive Kids: The Collaborative Problem-Solving Approach by Ross W. Greene

Innovative way to include child in solutions for problem behaviors. While written for therapists, there’s a similar book for parents.

Christian Life

Radical by David Platt
Instead of defining ourselves by what we *don’t* do, Platt call us to examine the gap between what we Biblically believe and what we actually do.

Speaking of Jesus by Carl Medearis
A down-to-earth, easy read that frees you to simply love Jesus.

A Year of Biblical Womanhood by Rachel Held Evans
Explores the theology and experience of being a Christian woman with humor and grace.

Healing for Damaged Emotions by David A. Seamands, Gary R. Collins
Written by a Christian Counseling pioneer, this book looks at healing from a Christian perspective.

When We Have Failed, What Next? by K.P. Yohannan
A short, encouraging Christian book when you’re facing rough times or feeling not good enough. Free eBook with a free account.

Health

In Defense of Food by Michael Pollan
An integrated way of thinking about your health.

Infertility

Unsung Lullabies: Understanding and Coping with Infertility by Martha Diamond, David Diamond, Janet Jaffe
A compassionate guide for sorting through all the emotions related to infertility.

Psychology

The Assertiveness Workbook by Randy J. Paterson
If you’re feeling small compared to the world around you, build practical skills for expressing your ideas & standing up for yourself.

The Gift of Fear: Survival Signals That Protect Us from Violence by Gavin de Becker
A practical affirmation of using your intuition to protect your safety. National bestseller.

Quiet by Susan Cain
An easy read that summarizes psychological research to help introverts (and those who love them) accept & understand themselves.

The New Personality Self-Portrait:Why You Think, Work, Love and ACT the Way You Do by John M. Oldham, Lois B. Morris
Practical steps for dealing with people in your life who exhibit personality disorder-like behaviors. Includes a personality test that compares common personality types to their manifestation in actual psychological (DSM) disorders.

The Power of Nunchi: The Korean Secret to Happiness and Success by Euny Hong