25 Essential Parenting Books for New Moms, Dads & Couples (2025 edition)

1 · Pregnancy Prep & Expecting Parents

• We’re Pregnant! The First‑Time Dad’s Handbook – Week‑by‑week playbook, from ultrasound etiquette to crib‑assembly timelines (Kulp).
• Strong as a Mother – Mental‑health first‑aid for anxiety, birth trauma and the elusive village (Rope).
• Bumpin': ‘The Modern Guide to Pregnancy: Navigating the Wild, Weird, and Wonderful Journey From Conception Through Birth and Beyond’ by Leslie Schrock – A smart, approachable guide packed with practical advice for parents who want a science-backed, individualized approach to pregnancy.
• The New Dad’s Survival Guide – Diaper duty hacks, partner‑support checklists and mental‑health red flags (Kemp).
• What to Expect the First Year – Murkoff – Month-by-month survival guide to sleep, milestones and common illnesses.
• And Baby Makes Three – Gottmans’ six‑step plan to preserve intimacy and shared meaning after baby.
• Babyproofing Your Marriage – Humorous he‑said/she‑said checklists to defuse sleep‑deprived fights (Cockrell et al.).
• The 80/80 Marriage – Radical generosity model beats 50/50 fairness for dual‑career couples (N.&K. Klemp).

2 · Newborn Survival & Soothing

• The Happiest Baby on the Block – Karp’s famous “5 S’s” calm crying in under a minute.
• What to Expect the First Year – Month‑by‑month survival guide to sleep, feeding and developmental leaps (Murkoff).

3 · Brain Science & Developmental Skills

• The Whole‑Brain Child – 12 brain‑integration strategies that turn meltdowns into teachable moments (Siegel & Bryson).
• Parenting with Love & Logic – Natural consequences build responsibility and self‑discipline (Fay & Cline).
• Raising an Emotionally Intelligent Child – Gottman’s five‑step emotion‑coaching blueprint strengthens attachment.
• Mind in the Making – Seven life skills (focus, perspective‑taking, self‑control) baked into everyday play (Galinsky).
• Ages & Stages – Clear milestones and guidance from birth through age 10 (Ames & Ilg).

4 · Raising Boys

• Raising Boys in the 21st Century – Testosterone, rough‑and‑tumble play and male mentors (Biddulph).
• Raising Emotionally Strong Boys – “Feel it, frame it, friend it” tools for boys 6‑12 (Thomas).
• Strong Mothers, Strong Sons – How maternal attachment shapes healthy masculinity (Meeker).

5 · Raising Girls

• Raising Girls in the 21st Century – Five‑stage roadmap covering confidence, friendship drama and body image (Biddulph).
• Untangled – Seven transitions every tween/teen girl must master (Damour).
• Girls on the Edge – Social‑media pressure, early sexualisation and dopamine gaps (Sax).

6 · Screen‑Smart & Tech‑Wise Parenting

• Screenwise – Mentoring‑not‑monitoring approach to kids’ digital lives (Heitner).
• The Tech‑Wise Family – Device‑free hours, Sabbath‑style rest, analog creativity (Crouch).
• Parenting for a Digital Future – Case studies on balancing hope and fear around screens (Livingstone & Blum‑Ross).

7 · Household Harmony & Boundaries

• Fair Play – 100‑card system to divide invisible domestic labour (Rodsky).
• Hold On to Your Kids – Why parental attachment must trump peer culture (Neufeld & Maté).

Wrap-Up: How to Use This Shelf

Start with a brain-science title, add the gender-specific guide that fits your first child, skim one digital handbook before they can swipe, and keep at least one relationship book on the nightstand. Rotate as your baby hits new milestones, and re-deal the Fair Play deck whenever routines shift.