Best Bets: Parent Resources

Kids don't come with owners' manuals, much to many parents' chagrin. And every child is different in his/her own beautiful way. But there are resources out there that can help parents figure out how to best parent their child. Some are good, some are bad, and some are definitely ugly, and while no single resource will help EVERY parent, I have decided to compile a list of the ones that have worked best for me.

Jo Frost's Confident Baby Care

Yup, the Super Nanny has written a book. It's slim, it's easy to read, it's broken down into manageable age ranges, and it doesn't make you feel horrible about yourself as a parent. I feel these are all the things a new parent needs. The advice is sound, though not as comprehensive as some larger books, and is focused on loving your child and giving him/her the best head start in life you can.

Parents magazine

I have professed my love of all magazines before, but this one truly is awesome. From raising a nice kid to saving money on groceries to disciplining your child, Parents magazine offers advice for children of all ages. It covers a wide range of topics in a fun, easy-to-read way. Plus, if you read it around your baby, he/she will love looking at the photos of other kids.

BabyCenter.com

I initially signed up for this weekly newsletter when I was pregnant because they would tell me how big my unborn baby was according to fruits and vegetables (e.g., butternut squash) and I thought it was cute. Now, I love getting the weekly newsletter because it addresses issues directly related to my son's age, provides ideas for activities I can do with him that foster development, and gives me a little chuckle at the bottom with their "Don't Forget to Laugh" section. It has been a wealth of knowledge I have been grateful to have as I start to figure out what kind of mom I'm going to be.

So those are my favorites. My go-to list of resources that help me through the days. I hope you find them as helpful as I have. Any of you have any favorites?