Whether you are a soon-to-be mom/dad or juggling different responsibilities while raising your child, you can never be on top of the parenting game. Each child is unique with their own individuality, and so is their instruction manual (which we didn’t get).
There’s a quote in the movie “Bad Moms,” which goes along the lines of – “Every time you think you have finally got it, they grow up, and you are back to square one.”
It is an ever-evolving cycle; you and your child continue to grow and become different versions of yourselves. There are numerous books on parenting, but are they relatable to a culture-rich country like India? After thorough research, we have curated a list of top parenting books in India that share practical wisdom.
All You Need is Love: Dr. Shelja Sen
Source: Amazon
One of the best parenting books in India, “All You Need Is Love,” is written by Dr. Shelja Sen, a leading force for establishing mental health in India for children and adolescents. She shares her insights on dislodging unrealistic expectations from your child and giving them room to grow.
In this book, Dr. Shelja Sen explains that parents tend to project their own ambitions on their children without realizing the damage it can do to their mental health.
Dr. Shelja Sen shares the 5C framework – Connect, Coach, Care, Community, and Commit – on navigating the joys and challenges of being a parent in her book. With relatable experiences, she elucidates the child’s point of view to help you understand them better.
Goodreads reader review: “It can be utilized as a guidebook for parents, new and old,” shares Hitesh Goenka.
Average rating: 4.17/5
Keep Calm and Mommy On: Dr. Tanu Shree Singh
Source: Amazon
Keep Calm and Mommy On is a compilation of essays touching on the real struggles of being a mother, tied together by the author’s witty, upfront, honest, and humorous voice. It begins with the Confessions of a Not-so-super Mom, where Dr. Tanu Shree hooks you with her experiences.
In this book, the author addresses topics that a parent finds awkward discussing or even thinking about – sibling rivalry, pornography, teenage romance, religion, and many more.
This is a quick read with simple yet significant insights; you will find yourself nodding to these in agreement. You can quickly devour this book in one sitting or read different chapters/sections independently.
Goodreads reader review: “Little did I realize how bloody good this book would turn out to be,” writes Tina Sequeira.
Average rating: 4.24/5
The Children of Tomorrow: Om Swami
Source: Amazon
Om Swami, a new-age monk with an MBA degree, shares his thoughts on a spiritual and mindful parenting style in his book – The Children of Tomorrow. He begins with an introduction to the book and by expanding the word parent – Play, Authenticity, Reframing, Empathy, No Ultimatums, and Togetherness.
The author takes you through 3 sections – Understand, Build, and Nurture – with insights on creating the right foundation for your relationship with your child.
In his review, Goodreads reader, Girish Om, explains that this book “not only talks about how parents should behave but also how parents should not behave.”
Average rating: 4.50/5
Parenting Tips for Indian Parents: Deepa Chaudhary
Source: Amazon
In the introduction, Deepa writes, “Perfect parent is a myth, but a perfect parent-child relationship is a possibility.” She takes you through the exhilarating journey of being a parent in her book – Parenting Tips for Indian Parents. From understanding the growth and development of your child before they are born to teenage troubles, you’ll find notable tips throughout the book.
In her book, Deepa explores questions like – If you were to become your child’s friend, would they stop taking you seriously? How will you ensure their safety and well-being if you let them explore independently?
She points out that, today, Indian parents have to balance tradition with the fast-changing Indian social scenario, making parenting more complex. Understanding your child and their perspective helps in managing the difficulties of parenthood while balancing different aspects of your own life.
In her review, Goodreads reader, Deepthi Nair states that the book is, “An excellent reminder to all parents!…It’s worth a read and points to be noted so that we give our children the love and care they deserve.”
Average rating: 4.07/5
One-Minute Super Dad: Dr. Sushant Jindal
Source: Amazon
One-Minute Super Dad, packed with actionable tips perfect for dads and busy parents, is one of the top parenting books in India. While writing the book, Dr. Prashant Jindal reached out to several experts and counselors on child behavior and parenting, including top psychiatrists. Ideal for parents with children less than 12 years old, you will find valuable snippets backed by science to raise healthy and resilient children.
According to some people, the author urges you to keep an open mind while reading the book, as the ideas discussed might be unorthodox. It all will make sense as you reach the end, he claims.
He refers to the Japanese philosophy of Kaizen – continuous improvement – in his book to support his concept of being a “One-Minute Super Dad.”
Goodreads review: “I recommend this book to all dads and moms to understand the role of the fathers,” says Antony.
Average rating: 4.18/5
Most authors of these books explain that a single parenting book may not be able to clear all your doubts, but the ones you read can provide you with tried and tested (by other parents) frameworks to help you in the journey.
If you are looking for more valuable information on raising children, consider reading NCERT’s guidelines on identifying mental health problems in children from an early age. In addition, you can also check out the top 7 mental health books by Indian authors to gain more insights.
