The Parent's Tao Te Ching: Ancient Advice for Modern Parents Paperback – March 31, 1999

One of my favorite parenting books. Maybe my favorite, since I always return to it and take away something new each time. I like to gift it to friends with new babies. I’ve had it since my kids were little and now one is an adult and one is in high school…it really grows with you and speaks to you at every stage. Just beautiful and touches deep. #15 is my favorite…

After I had a really bad week with one of my kids, I thought, "What is wrong with my kid?!" I read a few randomly chosen pages, and then SMACK! Right in my kisser! The randomly read pages were like a huge bucket of water putting out my parental fire. It was suddenly so clear to me that the issue was NOT my child, but was instead ME! Suddenly, it was so clear that how I viewed my children and what they represented was extremely flawed. The wisdom of each "chapter" quickly and easily made me realize that my way of thinking about who they were and who I was to them was more than eye opening. I even started texting some of my parent friends late at night because I was so excited to introduce them to this amazingness. I even randomly gave a copy to someone in one of my parent groups a week later. I can be pretty a intense mama, and reading a single short passage puts out my fire in an instant. Life for us all has been so much more calm since this book has been around.I recommend this book to every parent because every child deserves it. :)

This book came into my life not too soon. The message of the Tao is a gentle stream guiding us. Here it was delivered in a beautiful and compassionate light for those of us with children. Such a good version for me, very very applicable.

This is a great read. It's simple short and to the point. It is jam packed with very important concepts every parent should understand.

This book is incredible. Short daily messages to hold as a meditation and guidance. The philosophy of the Tao delivered as a guide for parents is genius, and I'd take more of this. But this book with it's easily digestible readings has calmed me down when I get frazzled about doing too much or not doing enough as a parent. This immediately helps me reframe my thinking and get back to my intention of being a parent of love and patience. I treasure this book.

Looking for room to breathe while being a modern parent? Forgetting to enjoy the present? This book is a wonderful reminder on those days when food is being thrown, toys are strewn across the house, and it's an all-out war to get your child into the bath tub.

This is a fantastic book for new parents regardless of whether you have any spiritual leanings or not - it's just good parenting advice for anyone. It's in small snippets - my daughter in law reads a page every morning and makes that day's message her goal for the day. I wish I'd had it as a young parent! It's our new baby shower gift!

I love this book so much!! As a mom of 3, it's given me a different perspective of parenting instead of clashing with my kids. Highly recommend this book for all parents!!