To overcome my battle with sleep deprivation after my boys were born, I tore into tons of books and blogs on joy, sleep, parenting, marriage, and more. To help you out, weary momma, whenever I write a post inspired by one of these resources, I’ll add it here for you to easily digest.
If you want to take your own journey, check out MothersRest’s Favorite Resources on Pinterest for lots more books and info. I’m your curator of SLEEP! and joy.
For your convenience, I’m including affiliate links (should one of these books catch your eye!) Check out my Disclaimer to learn more.
Table of contents
Use these handy links to jump to the section you’re most interested in:
1. Joy and mental health resources
3. Parenting tips and resources
4. Marriage and relationship resources
Joy and mental health resources
For more on joy, mental health, addiction, and wellness, plus tips on setting priorities in your life, check out this board on Pinterest.
Clean: Overcoming addiction by David Sheff
as featured on MothersRest:
—— You need to talk to your 4-year-old about alcohol
—— Drink more, sleep poor – and other truths about alcohol
—— Stop with the Percocet already
Inspired: Slaying giants, walking on water, and loving the Bible again by Rachel Held Evans
as featured on MothersRest:
—— How not to be a submissive wife
Presence: Bringing your boldest self to your biggest challenges by Amy Cuddy
as featured on MothersRest:
—— Let me see your power pose, girl
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful lessons in personal change by Stephen R. Covey
as featured on MothersRest:
—— 3 questions you should totally ponder during the pandemic
This Naked Mind: Control alcohol, find freedom, discover happiness & change your life by Annie Grace
as featured on MothersRest:
—— You need to talk to your 4-year-old about alcohol
—— Drink more, sleep poor – and other truths about alcohol
Why We Can’t Sleep: Women’s New Midlife Crisis by Ada Calhoun
as featured on MothersRest:
—— I just want my 18-year-old self to like me
Jump back up to the Table of Contents
Sleep aids and resources
For more sleep tips, check out this board on Pinterest.
And for ideas on sleep aids and tools you need in your life or to give the gift of sleep to those you love, check out this additional Pinterest board.
Brain Rules: 12 principles for surviving and thriving at work, home, and school by John Medina
as featured on MothersRest:
—— You can ROCK daylight savings this spring
Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child by Marc Weissbluth
as featured on MothersRest:
—— 12 simple tips for better sleep on vacation
—— What to do when your kiddo fights the midday nap
The Good and Beautiful God by James Bryan Smith
as featured on MothersRest:
—— The one-week sleep challenge
The Sleep Revolution: Transforming your life, one night at a time by Arianna Huffington
as featured on MothersRest:
—— Momma’s off duty at 8pm (and don’t you forget it)
—— How to rock daylight saving time – the FALL edition
—— Sleep training for yo mommas
—— Arrive alive: How NOT to fall asleep behind the wheel
Notre Dame’s Sleep, Stress, and Memory Lab
as featured on MothersRest:
—— Feeling like Mommy Dearest: why you need REM sleep
—— Mommy brain – how to fight the fog
—— Mommy brain explained: why you need deep sleep
Jump back up to the Table of Contents
Parenting tips and resources
For more parenting advice, plus a list of (helpful) parenting books, check out this board on Pinterest.
And for ideas on baby stuff you need, otherwise known as baby registry must-haves, check out this additional Pinterest board. Plus, for toys for boys (girls, too!), check out this other Pinterest board.
Baby-led weaning: The essential guide to introducing solid foods by Gill Rapley and Tracy Murkett
as featured on MothersRest:
—— The secret to get your kid to eat more veggies – and fruit
—— The art of picking out socks: teaching children independence
Easy to Love, Difficult to Discipline by Becky A. Bailey
as featured on MothersRest:
—— How to manipulate your kid to do the right thing
Have a New Kid by Friday: How to change your child’s attitude, behavior & character in 5 days by Dr. Kevin Leman
as featured on MothersRest:
—— How to deal when your kiddo wets the bed at midnight
How to Raise an Adult: Break free of the overparenting trap and prepare your kid for success by Julie Lythcott-Haims
as featured on MothersRest:
—— The one thing you need to tell your gifted kid
—— The one thing your kid needs to foster his creativity
—— Your kiddo needs chores – here’s why
—— Why can’t your kid write his own damn essays?
Peaceful Parent, Happy Kids: How to stop yelling and start connecting by Dr. Laura Markham
as featured on MothersRest:
—— You think the terrible twos are terrible?
Secrets of the Baby Whisperer: How to Calm, Connect, and Communicate with Your Baby by Tracy Hogg
as featured on MothersRest:
—— It ain’t E.A.S.Y being the baby whisperer
The Happiest Baby on the Block by Harvey Karp (this book is a life saver!)
as featured on MothersRest:
—— Getting your baby on a sleep schedule (it’s 6pm, nite-nite!)
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful lessons in personal change by Stephen R. Covey (Seriously, this book has tons of parenting tips.)
as featured on MothersRest:
—— How to teach your kid to share
—— The art of picking out socks: teaching children independence
Jump back up to the Table of Contents
Marriage and relationship resources
For more marriage resources and relationship advice, check out this board on Pinterest.
How Not to Hate Your Husband After Kids by Jancee Dunn
as featured on MothersRest:
—— How my kid almost crushed my marriage
—— How to be a Rock Star Dad
—— Marriage sucks after kids?
The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work by John M. Gottman
as featured on MothersRest:
—— The secret to date night success
—— Why a potty mouth does you good
