Mom life can be seriously hard, but you are not alone. Take a break from reading parenting books and work on yourself instead. Try these non-parenting books for moms to help you become your best self!
If you think being a mom is easy, you probably don’t have kids.Adding tiny humans to your life brings on whole new issues that honestly, you most likely didn’t even know existed. Most women aren’t entirely prepared for motherhood. I know I wasn’t, and I am still constantly turning to parenting books and other moms for advice.
While reading parenting books can be great – it can also just make the whole mom thing even more confusing. So how about putting the parenting books away for a little bit and focus on you instead.
This week, we have our good friend Kristin of the blog Big Books, Little Ears here to share the best non-parenting books for moms.
Kristin is actually a childhood friend of Jaclyn’s, so it was a pleasant surprise to find out she also has a book blog, though one focused on reading with your children.
Kristin was so kind to take some time to highlight these 12 non-parenting books for moms. Her list looks at building relationships, handling technology and adopting minimalism – all hot issues facing modern moms.
If you enjoy her list, be sure to check out her website – the link is in her bio at the end!
Guest Post: The Best Non-Parenting Books for Moms
Being a mom is hard work! Potty training, tantrums, and food battles, oh my!
Thankfully, there are lots of amazing parenting books out there. And believe me, I have read A LOT of them. My husband’s grandma alone has given me over a dozen parenting books since we had our son. (How should I take that?)
However, some of the BEST books that have made me a better parent are not specifically parenting books. Instead, they are the books that help me be my best self.
These are the best non-parenting books for moms! Since they are not strictly for parents, they are perfect books for moms at any stage of their parenting journey. These great non-parenting books for moms can help you be the best mom you can be!
Non-Parenting Books for Moms to Strengthen Relationships
In the midst of keeping the little people in your home alive, sometimes the actual relationship building falls through the cracks. These relationship books for moms will help!
Daring Greatly
Brené Brown
Have you ever thought of vulnerability as courage? That is the premise behind Daring Greatly, and it is backed up with 12 years of research. This relationship book for moms holds up a mirror on why we do what we do, and how to have better relationships by being vulnerable. If you want better relationships, this is the book for you! (FYI, there are some curse words. So, do not listen to the audiobook in the car with your kids on the way to grandma’s house.)
Why Won’t You Apologize?
Harriet Lerner
Have you apologized to your kids recently? Why Won’t You Apologize? explains why it is so hard to apologize, and how to handle it when we are not given the type of apology we deserve. I picked this relationship building book up because I thought it would tell me how to move on when people did not apologize to me. Instead, it taught me that I am not very good at apologizing, and showed me how to get better. It is a total game changing in the non-parenting books for moms, especially if you have not apologized to your kids recently!
The Essential Enneagram
David Daniels and Virginia Price
The Enneagram has been around for many years, but is currently enjoying a popularity surge. It is no wonder – it promises to help you classify yourself into a distinct personality type and then will guide you in your interactions with others. Who wouldn’t want that?!? Once you figure out your personality type, the book becomes very helpful! Knowing your strengths and weaknesses allows you to navigate relationships. The Essential Enneagram is a great introduction, and if you find it helpful I also suggest The Road Back to You and The Enneagram of Parenting.
Do It Scared
Ruth Soukup
Ever feel like you are just floating along in your life and relationships? Soukup writes that what is holding us back from reaching for big goals, or even little goals, is fear. Luckily, she has a plan to help us overcome our fears! This book has some tough love, but mostly it is encouragement and tips to get over our fears. I liked Do It Scared because, like most moms, I was not a parent for very long before the mom-fears kicked in!
The Best Books About Technology for Moms
Ever find yourself wondering if you could check Twitter while your toddler was clamoring for your attention? You are not alone. Get your tech habit under control with these great non-parenting books for moms about technology.
Irresistible
Adam Alter
There is a reason your phone is so hard to stay away from – it is designed to be that way! Alter looks at addictions throughout history, and how technology is a different more pervasive type of addiction. If you are interested in doing a deep dive into the science of behavioral addiction and why you cannot look away from screens, you will find this technology book fascinating. However, if you are just looking for a plan to spend less time on screens, you might find the 368 pages of Irresistible a little dry.
How to Break Up With Your Phone
Catherine Price
You’re probably reading this non-parenting books for moms list on your phone. Irresistible is all about how our phones suck us in, and How to Break Up With Your Phone is all about how to break the addiction. This slim volume is a day-by-day three week plan to cut down on your phone use. I did it, it was hard, but it worked. This is the best non-parenting book for moms who are on their phone too much…and let’s face it, that’s all of us.
Reclaiming Conversation
Sherry Turkle
After you have beaten your screen addiction, Turkle wants you to fill all of your new free time with conversation. Real conversation, not texting! Reclaiming Conversation is filled with data from years of research into how technology has changed the ways we communicate. However, in between all of the numbers are extremely practical and personally convicting suggestions. It is a powerful non-parenting book about technology for moms who are looking to build great relationships with their kids, and everyone else!
Alone Together
Sherry Turkle
What does true companionship look like? Turkle claims that all of our “connecting” online has led to us being isolated. She looks at human-robot interactions and then at cell phones. I relate to the cell phone section more – not a lot of robots in my life right now. There are no action steps for using technology that you have not heard before in this book. However, it is an eye opening technology book for moms who want to be mindful of how technology is shaping their families.
The Best Books About Minimalism for Moms
Are you drowning in crayons, cardigan sweaters, and tupperware? Yeah, I was, too. These books about minimalism for moms will help you simplify your life. Less clutter means more time to be a fabulous mom!
The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up
Marie Kondo
Kondo is frequently credited as sparking the original minimalism craze. This book has a cult following for a reason: it works. If you read the short book, you will find yourself walking through your house trying to figure out what sparks joy. You will also find yourself willingly parting with your belongings! My only complaint with the book is that I love a good personal story, and Kondo gives few examples from her clients through the years.
The Minimalist Home
Joshua Becker
Becker is a famous face on the minimalist scene and has written multiple books and blogs. He teaches that if you have less stuff, you will be happier. The Minimalist Home sticks with that straightforward message, and provides a plan to declutter your whole house. If you are new to minimalism, this is a great book to start with! (Although, fair warning, Becker does get a little preachy at times.) If you have been pursuing minimalism for awhile, this is a good refresher book that might point out some areas you have missed.
Unstuffed
Ruth Soukup
Unstuffed grew out of a popular blog about homemaking and minimalism. It is compelling because Soukup has BEEN THERE – she is a mom who had way too much stuff, and she knows how hard it is to simplify. Heads up that Soukup’s reasons for downsizing are frequently faith-based. This is my favorite minimalism book because it has clear action steps and is not judgmental. We are all just trying to be the best moms we can be, with less stuff! If you like how Soukup ties minimalism to faith, check out my list of books that FORCED me into minimalism.
The Joy of Less
Francine Jay
Jay was one of the original simple-living bloggers. Though many pages, this book about minimalism for moms is a quick read, and is as accessible as a blog post. However, it covers ALL of the basics of living with less stuff. This minimalism book for moms is great because it focuses on lifestyle changes, not just an initial purge of your stuff.
Special thanks to Kristin for sharing these non-parenting books for moms with us! If you have a chance, make sure to check out her website.
What Non-Parenting Books for Moms Would You Suggest?
What do you think? Do you agree or disagree with Kristin’s list of nonparenting books for moms? What books have helped you be a better mother? As always, let me know in the comments!
More Nonfiction Books to Read:
