There are countless marriage and parenting books, and although I certainly can't cover all of them, there are some I think are especially important to start you off on the right foot when it comes to being a supportive spouse and parenting with joy.
1. Intended for Pleasure
I've mentioned this book before as one I consider incredibly important to create a healthy, balanced sexual relationship between a husband and wife. It helps you know how to prepare for the wedding night, how to talk about sex with your spouse, how to deal with typical problems that come up, and the science of sex and how it works. It can hopefully foster a practical start to one of the more complicated areas of marriage to navigate.
2. Essentialism
I believe this book is also important as you begin marriage, because it helps you set up guidelines for decision making - particularly when it comes to deciding what will fill your schedule. When coming into marriage, I cannot think of anything more precious than time, and this book can help you recognize where you might be spending time that you shouldn't and how you can refocus on what really matters to you.
3. One Thousand Gifts
When it comes to being a parent and helpmate, it's hard, sometimes, not to get bogged down by the things that are burdens to you. This book really helps me to daily focus on what about my husband and children brings me joy. When I focus on those things, life is better.
4. Ina May's Guide to Childbirth
This is a good one to read before you are trying to have kids, as it touches not only on the act of giving birth but also talks about what kind of prenatal care is most important. There are many people in the world who don't understand what normal birth looks like, and this book can open your eyes - even if you don't end up having the kind of birth this book describes.
5. Hands Free Life
This is a great reminder that screens have become the new eye-focus for the majority of people in the world. Why is it important to look away? What impact does it have on relationships when we have conversations without looking one another in the face? When a phone in always in a person's hand? How do our children feel when they are talking to a laptop or a phone instead of their parents? It asks smart questions and challenges in all the right ways.
6. Einstein Never Used Flashcards
This book talks about the excess of education that happens around babies and toddlers. Ever noticed how hard it is to find toys that aren't designed to teach something? Learning will happen naturally as a child grows, and parents will instinctively instruct in what the child needs and wants to learn. A child that is asking to learn will learn better and faster. A fabulous reminder that over-teaching not only doesn't help later, it can do harm.
7. Friends, Partners, and Lovers
This is a great resource for those not yet married, newly married, and married for decades. It talks about the three ways spouses relate to one another, how each of those are important, and what you can do to focus on those, make them better, and improve your marriage.
8. Why You Act the Way You Do
We have all heard something along the lines of: "we don't get along. I'm a melancholy and she's a sanguine." This book outlines the four major personality types, how they combine, how they clash, and how you can work with them. It's wonderful not only for personal growth, but also for understanding and being compassionate with other types of personalities.
9-10. For Men Only/For Women Only
These books discuss the things about the opposite gender that are sometimes hard to bring up or explain with the opposite sex. It tells the hard truth about what the genders struggle with and how best those of the opposite sex can be supportive and compassionate. Worth picking up even if you already feel like you understand what your future spouse or child will be dealing with.
What books would you recommend? Have your read all these books? Did you find them helpful as you related with your spouse or children?
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