CHECK IT OUT:Books available to parents of all stages

Parenting books are all the rage now that couples seek to give their offspring the absolute best of everything. These books delineate careful, sane, nurturing behaviors. If you’ve ever wondered what to do in a given situation, find help at the library.

“I Was a Really Good Mom Before I Had Kids: Reinventing Modern Motherhood” by Trisha Ashworth and Amy Nobile: These two moms explore child-raising practices, guilt-inducing personal pleasures and the challenges faced by today’s mothers whose expectations may exceed their realities. Should a good mom serve all organic SpaghettiOs, spend hours coloring, be the perfect spouse and still have a spotless house?

“Touchpoints: Birth to Three: Your Child’s Emotional and Behavioral Development” by T. Berry Brazelton: Bestselling author and child psychologist guru Brazelton explains the universal childhood moments, called touchpoints, which all humans experience as they grow. Detailing and explaining all aspects of growth from physical development to socialization with family and friends, this is an indispensable new classic in the field.

“Walking on Eggshells: Navigating the Delicate Relationship Between Adult Children and Parents” by Jane Isay: Just because your children have become adults doesn’t mean the parenting relationship is over. Help keep those lines of communication open, whether it’s limited to home for the holidays, in-laws, steps and other ersatz family connections or aging baby boomer problems.

“The Price of Privilege: How Parental Pressure and Material Advantage are Creating a Generation of Disconnected and Unhappy Kids” by Madeline Levine: Levine explores the culture of wealth, particularly how it affects adolescents and youths in their self-development. She identifies depression, substance abuse, anxiety and other ailments that may be symptoms of underlying emotional and psychological problems related to the lives of ease and privilege experienced by many young people.

“Raising Cain: Protecting the Emotional Life of Boys” by Dan Kindlon and Michael Thompson with Teresa Barker. Boys and girls are different! Find out the hows and whys and what you can do to help your boy reach emotional maturity and enable him to discover his masculinity in the process.

“You’re Wearing That?: Understanding Mothers and Daughters in Conversation” by Deborah Tannen: Unlike the more emotionally closed world of boys, young girls can be skillfully verbal, especially when dealing with their mothers. Communications expert Tannen shows how to improve the misunderstandings and strengthen familial bonds in mother-daughter interpersonal relationships.

“The Empty Nest: 31 Parents Tell the Truth about Relationships, Love and Freedom After the Kids Fly the Coop” edited by Karen Stabiner: Empty nesters? Love it or hate it, this title contains the unvarnished, true stories of life after the parent and child relationship has ceased to occupy all your time.