LEAD’s "Top Picks" Reading List 2010

I Just Want My Kids To Be Happy! Why You Shouldn't Say It, Why You Shouldn't Think It, What You Should Embrace Instead
A 2008 Mom's Choice Award winner!

Dr. Cooper explores why our efforts to raise happy children can backfire and what parents should do to ensure their children lead authentically happy and fulfilling lives.

Just Because It Isn't Wrong Doesn’t Make It Right
By Barbara Coloroso Keynote Speaker at LEAD's Parent University March 13, 2010 An excellent book on teaching children ethical behavior. Coloroso describes what ethical behavior is and isn’t.

Learn the fundamental lessons we can teach our children so they develop a broad and deep foundation within, which they can use throughout life to decide wisely on their own the most ethical course of action as they face all of life’s challenges, large and small.

Coloroso points out that the “black & white” age old advice, such as “Never Tell a Lie”, isn’t helpful in instilling a moral compass in our kids, and she provides excellent examples of how the same action can be ethical or unethical behavior depending on intent, for example. Coloroso also wrote the bestselling book “The Bully, The Bullied and the Bystander”.

Parenting with Love & Logic
By Jim Fay and Foster Cline

This is a classic and very helpful for parents, especially those of younger children. Fay and Cline discuss the value of teaching kids how to make good decisions from an early age and the importance of doing it with love and logical consequences. Their philosophy provides an excellent framework for teaching discipline and responsibility … and reminding parents that their job is not to fix things for their kids. It can change your family – and your life!

Positive Words, Powerful Results: Simple Ways to Honor, Affirm and Celebrate Life
By Dr. Hal Urban

A quick and easy read that will surprise and inspire you to reflect on how we speak with each other and our children every day. Urban points out how the words we choose can profoundly affect those around us – always important, but especially so during this difficult economy when we are stressed and tempers are short.

Life's Greatest Lessons: 20 Things That Matter
By Dr. Hal Urban

A wonderful summary of those things parents want to be sure they instill in their children before sending them off to live on their own. Urban, a parent of 3 boys and teacher of high school and college students for 36 years, has a great way of illustrating both the value of learning these lessons and strategies parents can use to teach them in their family’s daily lives.