20 of the Most-Raved About Christian Parenting Books

Over the last year, this question has been asked in four of my online parenting groups, “What are your recommendations for Christian parenting books?”

Skimming through the responses in all four of my parenting groups I couldn’t help but notice the same books come up over and over again.

I began to keep a list and take notes when the same book was listed multiple times.

The result is the following list of 20 of the most-recommended (Mostly) Christian parenting books.

I say “mostly” Christian because while the poster always asked for a Christian parenting book, occasionally she would receive a book that wasn’t Christian. I decided to include it in the list because that book would become so highly recommended it didn’t make sense to exclude it.

Related: What Developmental Psychology Has to Say About These 4 Parenting Styles

20 of the Most-Recommended (Mostly) Christian parenting books

1. The Mission of Motherhood: Touching Your Child’s Heart for Eternity by Sally Clarkson

This was the most highly recommended book. Many times, people would just say “any Sally Clarkson book.” But when they specified a parenting book, it’d be this one.

2. How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish

I found this book and the teen version extremely helpful in communicating with my children. The book helps you set limits and and resolve conflicts without resorting to yelling.

I listened to the book initially as an audiobook then I read the hard copy teen version so I could take notes and implement the strategies into my day-to-day interactions with my children.

Related: 20 Life-Changing Bible Verses About God’s Forgiveness

3. Parenting: 14 Gospel Principles That Can Radically Change Your Family by Paul David Tripp

This book is highly recommended in every parenting group I’m a member of that it’s moved to the top of my must-read list. It’s the winner of the book of the year award for Christian living. In the book, the author offers the reader a big-picture view of God’s plan for us as parents based upon 14 gospel principles.

4. Parenting With Love and Logic by Foster Cline and Jim Fay

I was assigned to read this book while I was in therapy. Having issues with my youngest, my therapist challenged me to change what was within my control: ME.

This book was a game-changer for me. I quickly discovered my parenting style was not motivating my children. Once I learned how to motivate my children with real-world consequences our relationship changed dramatically.

5. Boundaries with Kids: How Healthy Choices Grow Healthy Children by Henry Cloud and John Townsend

Anyone with strong-willed children will want to run to this book and grab the workbook too! Boundaries with Kids was a lifesaver for me when I was newly divorced and trying to manage 2 kids, one of which challenged my every word. I learned how to lovingly set limits in a home that felt out of control.

6. Untangled: Guiding Teenage Girls Through the Seven Transitions into Adulthood by Lisa Damour Ph.D. 

I read this book when my daughter was a preteen and I’m reading it again now. Although this isn’t a “Christian Parenting Book” we’d be remiss as parents to ignore the realities of what’s going on in the world. This book explains the pressures young girls are under, what exactly is happening in the pre-teen and teenage brain and when it’s time for parents to worry.

Related: How Single Dads Can Connect With Their Teenage Daughters

7. Grace Based Parenting: Set Your Family Free by Dr. Tim Kimmel

Dr. Kimmel outlines a God-based parenting style that reflects God’s forgiveness, and doesn’t use fear as a motivator for behavior.

8. Hands Free Mama: A Guide to Putting Down the Phone, Burning the To-Do List, and Letting Go of Perfection to Grasp What Really Matters! by Rachel Macy Stafford

Learn how to put down the phone and find your joy in your children again. I love this author’s style of writing and encouragement.

9. Grumpy Mom Takes a Holiday: Say Goodbye to Stressed, Tired, and Anxious, and Say Hello to Renewed Joy in Motherhood by Valerie Woerner

10. Raising Kingdom Kids: Giving Your Child a Living Faith by Tony Evans

He’s raised some pretty amazing kingdom-minded children (Priscilla Shirer, Chrystal Evans Hurst, Johnathan Evans, Anthony Evans) so he definitely speaks from experience.

11. Screamfree Parenting: How to Raise Amazing Adults by Learning to Pause More and React Less Paperback by Hal Runkel LMFT

As someone who’s struggled with yelling at my kids, this book has taught me so much. It really made me think about my behavior and envision the type of home I wanted to raise my children in. Using the techniques in this book I was able to forge a new way.

12. Shepherding a Child’s Heart by Tedd Tripp

This is another highly recommended book in my parenting circles. The author is a pastor, counselor, school administrator, and father and the book is written for children of any age.

13. Simplicity Parenting: Using the Extraordinary Power of Less to Raise Calmer, Happier, and More Secure Kids by Kim John Payne

Many noted this book as one they return back to again and again. They use these principles throughout their children’s lives and even as their kids become teens.

14. The Conscious Parent: Transforming Ourselves, Empowering Our Children by Dr. Shefali Tsabary

The reason this book received so many high reviews is its different approach. Instead of the normal parenting techniques, Dr. Tsabary discusses how parents pass on an inheritance of psychological pain and emotional issues to our children and how to parent “with” our children through this.

15. The Whole-Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child’s Developing Mind by Daniel J. Siegel

This book gave me so much insight as to why my kids act the way they do. It me be more effective in helping them through emotions as I’ve learned to be more patient.

16. Triggers: Exchanging Parents’ Angry Reactions for Gentle Biblical Responses by Amber Lia and Wendy Speake

Covers our reactions to our kids’ backtalk, or selective hearing, as well as not so obvious things that can still be triggers for our emotions such as an overflowing schedule, sleep-deprivation, or perhaps your own painful experiences from childhood.

17. Wild Things: The Art of Nurturing Boys by Stephen James and David Thomas

This is the most highly recommended book for boys, over and over.

Related: Tips for Single Moms Desiring to Raise Amazing Boys

18. Siblings Without Rivalry: How to Help Your Children Live Together So You Can Live Too by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish

Is it possible…siblings who get along? This parenting book is by the same authors as “How to Talk…” which is an outstanding book so I’m inclined to think if they can help us talk to our kids, then they can help our kids get along too.

19. The 5 Love Languages of Children: The Secret to Loving Children Effectively by Gary Chapman

I don’t think this book needs any introduction. The cool thing is that your kid’s love language can change over time so as they move from toddler to teenager you might have to focus on a different love language.

20. Sacred Parenting: How Raising Children Shapes Our Souls by Gary Thomas

This isn’t a “how-to” book. If you’re at all familiar with Gary Thomas, you’ll know he talks directly to your soul. Much like his books on marriage, this book is about how God uses our children to change us.

20 of the Most-Raved About Christian Parenting Books