23 Christian Parenting Books to Prepare You for the Road Ahead

Early Childhood/Preschool:

1. The New Dad’s Playbook: Gearing Up for the Biggest Game of Your Life by Benjamin Watson

If you are a new dad, this is the book for you. It’s easy for moms to find tons of books about pregnancy and what to expect, but not so much for soon-to-be dads. Super Bowl champion Benjamin Watson takes men through all the stages to get ready for a baby. Starting from preseason (how to prepare for fatherhood) all the way to the Super Bowl (when the baby is born) and post-season (what to expect after the baby comes home) and beyond.

2.  In the Trenches: Finding God Through Parenting Littles by Kelsey Gillespy

Being a mom can be very hard. Author Kelsey Gillespy, a mother of five, shares humorous stories and prayer reflections to help even the most exhausted moms grow closer to God and walk through their chaotic life of raising little ones.

3.  The Christian Mama’s Guide to Having a Baby by Erin MacPherson

This guide to pregnancy 101 is full of helpful tips, humorous stories, and spiritual advice. Some topics that are discussed include help for morning sickness, pregnancy insomnia, what to expect from doctor checkups, labor and delivery, and more.

4.  The Christian Mama’s Guide to Parenting a Toddler by Erin MacPherson

There will come a time when you face tears and tantrums. Every mom will find sanity-saving advice filled in this book. Some topics include stopping a tantrum in its tracks, disciplining your child in a way that shows God’s love, and introducing your child to Jesus in a way that cultivates authentic faith.

5.  The Christian Mama’s Guide to Baby’s 1st Year by Erin MacPherson

Before you know it, your child will be one-year-old, and you will transition into a whole new phase of life. This book provides advice similar to what you would receive from your best girlfriends, including breastfeeding tips, suggestions for losing baby weight, and time management strategies to help you balance household tasks and childcare.

Middle Grade/Teens:

6.  The Christian Mama’s Guide to Grade School Years by Erin MacPherson

Like the other books in this series, this book tackles another level of parenthood: grade school. Even though it sounds easy to buy school supplies and pack a decent lunch, there is much more to these years in a kid’s life. Topics include choosing a school for your kids, navigating tough conversations, and instilling a sense of “who I am” in your child.

7.  Parenting with Hope: Raising Teens for Christ in a Secular Age by Melissa B. Kruger

This book will help you prepare for the unique challenges of raising teenagers. Teens are under so much pressure and have negative influence in their lives, parents need a foundation for faith to flourish. This book will help parents to anchor their hopes and expectations in Christ. This book combines Biblical teaching, insights from child professionals, and the author’s own experiences, making it a splendid book for parents of teens to help build up and bless their children in ways that honor God.

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Raising Boys

8.  Raising Emotionally Strong Boys: Tools Your Son Can Build on for Life by David Thomas and Sissy Goff

Many people think boys are prone to outbursts, meltdowns, and one-word answers. Author David Thomas has been counseling boys and their parents for twenty-five years. This book will help your son be R.A.R.E. (Resourceful, Aware, Resilient, Empathetic). This book will help anyone raise boys.

9.  Boy Mom: What Your Son Needs From You by Monica Swanson and Wendy Speake

If you are a mom to a boy, you need this book. Filled with deep insights for what you will need to be equipped for the boy raising journey, topics include dealing with influences of friends and technology and helping boys be physically, spiritually, and emotionally healthy.

10. The Intentional Father: A Practical Guide to Raise Sons of Courage and Character by John Tyson

We live in a society that makes being a man very confusing for our young men. With so many conflicting messages, it is no wonder they are confused. This book provides men with tips on how to raise young men who know what they believe, who they are, and who will stand up against negative cultural trends.

11. Raising Boys: A Christian Parenting Book: A Practical Guide to 1. Faith-Based Parenting by Quinn Kelly

The best way to raise your son is with God by your side. Boys are wonderful but wild. I know this from my eight years in daycare. In this book, you will learn the basics of raising boys, parenting principles to model your faith, setting boundaries, and creating a foundation of love and understanding. You will also learn techniques about bolstering your son’s self-worth, dealing with bullies, having conversations about social media, and more.

12. Strong Mothers, Strong Sons: Lessons Mothers Need to Raise Extraordinary Men by Meg Meeker

When you see your newborn son for the first time, it’s as if his eyes say that you are his world, but boys often grow up and push their moms away even though they need them. Boys face unique challenges, and it can be overwhelming as a mom trying to raise them. In this book, you will learn the need to be courageous, bold, and confident about directing your son, the traps that mothers of boys fall into, how to avoid them, and the importance of teaching them the value of hard work, etc.

13. Mother and Son: The Respect Effect by Emerson Eggerichs

Most of the time, dads and sons are best buds, but what does the mother-son relationship look like? This book explores the relationship between mothers and sons and how loving and respecting your young son will help him grow into a mature, responsible, godly man. Topics include why respect matters in a mother-son relationship, practical applications for raising teenage boys, and specific responses you can give rather than what you would normally say.

Raising Girls

14. Raising Girls: A Christian Parenting Book: A Practical Guide to Faith-Based Parenting by Todd Jones

This book will teach you how to raise your daughter with intention and care while rooting it in God’s word. You will learn the basics of raising girls, parenting principles that model your faith, and targeted techniques for affirming your daughter’s self-worth, etc.

15. She Deserves Better: Raising Girls to Resist Toxic Teachings on Sex, Self, and Speaking Up by Sheila Wray Gregoire and Rebecca Gregoire Lindenbach

This book offers a dynamic, fresh, and Biblically sound message of sexuality and self-worth for today’s daughters. It is more about do’s than don’ts. You will find solid advice on how to raise a resilient woman who knows her strength and how to make good choices. Your daughter will navigate the rough waters of growing up while staying true to the God who designed her on purpose, for a purpose.

16. Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters: 10 Secrets Every Father Should Know by Meg Meeker

A father is one of the most important factors in a young lady’s development. This book will show men how they can both be protectors and counselors to their daughters as they grow. You will learn how to become a “strong father”, how your guidance impacts every part of her life and shapes her views on drugs, alcohol, and sex, and how to lie down ground rules that are respected, etc.

More Books

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

If you get lost in between daily tasks like folding laundry, carpooling your kids, and making dinner, this book is for you. Instead of a to-do list, the author presents the big picture of God’s blueprint for being parents. He outlines fourteen foundational principles that focus on the gospel, which is better than any latest parenting technique, and also talks about how all parents need God’s grace.

18. Fearless Parenting: Raising Godly Kids in an Ungodly World by Sarah Blount

We live in an evil, confusing world to raise our kids in, and it’s easy for parents to be scared. However, God did not give us a spirit of fear but of love, peace, and a sound mind. Instead of trying to protect our kids, we should expose them to more of Jesus so they have a heart for him and follow him. This book will inspire you to renew your commitment to raising Godly kids, help you instill identity and purpose in your kids, and show you Biblical truths to succeed as a parent.

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

Like adults, kids have love languages, too. This book will teach you how to discover your child’s love language, how to assist your child in learning, using a child’s love language for correction, etc.

20. Grace-Based Discipline: How to Be at Your Best When Your Kids Are At Their Worst by Karis Kimmel Murray

Discipline is one of the hardest things that parents face. You will learn how to stay calm, customize your discipline, set rules, and give consequences that work.

21. Parenting: Getting It Right by Andy Stanley and Sandra Stanley

In your parenting journey, you are bound to think, am I doing this right? This could be when your child is at any age, from newborn to teenager. Authors Andy and Sandra combine their experience and wisdom to help readers live by solid parenting principles. You will learn the four distinct stages of parenting, deciding on a small list of non-negotiables, how to stick with it, and how to adapt your approach to your child’s personality.

22. The Christian Parenting Handbook: 50 Heart-Based Strategies for All the Stages of Your Child’s Life by Scott Turansky and JoAnne Miller RN

If you are a parent of a child ages 2-18 and are looking for biblical, practical, and relevant wisdom, this is your book. You will find nuggets of wisdom broken down into 50 brief chapters and will learn things like identifying character qualities to address problems, avoiding having a “boxing match,” and how to envision a positive future.

23. The Ultimate Guide to Daycare: A Parent’s Roadmap by Carrie Lowrance

One of the most overwhelming experiences a parent will have is when it’s time to think about daycare. There are so many questions that go through your head, and sometimes you don’t even know what to ask. This book will help both answer your questions and help you with specific questions to ask each childcare facility. You will learn things like how to find the right daycare, tips for the first day of daycare, how to navigate food allergies, sick days, and more. Written by a former daycare teacher with eight years of experience, this guide will help you with the clarity you need to find the best daycare for your child and beyond.

As a parent, you will have so many questions at all stages of your parenting journey. These books will help you navigate raising your child with clarity and confidence.

Related Resource: 8 Words Every Parent Must Say To Their Child

There are eight critically important words that, as parents, we need to say to our kids as often as necessary—and they are hard. They may be the hardest words to say in the English language. They are relationship-building words and words that model what true repentance looks like. If you don’t learn how to say these words, at some point, your relationship with your child will break. Listen in to this episode of Christian Parent, Crazy World to hear what they are and how to begin to incorporate them into your daily life together. We guarantee it will strengthen your relationship with your child! For more expert parenting help, be sure to subscribe to Christian Parent, Crazy World on Apple or Spotify, so you never miss an episode!