7 Books Every Father Can Learn From
Fatherhood invites us to grow, learn, and rethink what we thought we knew.
It’s not just about raising children but also about how we show up in their lives.
Here are seven books that spark new ideas and challenge us to build stronger, more intentional relationships with our children (and ourselves).
(The links are here for convenience - I don’t get paid if you buy them).
Hold On to Your Kids
(by Gordon Neufeld and Gabor Maté)
This book explores a quiet but profound shift: how kids are drawn more to their peers than their parents. It asks us to reflect on what holds relationships together. Instead of blaming “modern life,” it focuses on the importance of attachment and what it takes to be a safe, grounding presence.
A thought to sit with: How do we stay a trusted anchor when the world pulls in so many directions?
Interested? Click here to find it
The Conscious Parent
(by Dr. Shefali Tsabury)
This isn’t a “how-to” manual. It’s a call to look inward. Dr. Shefali shows how parenting mirrors our own unresolved challenges. The book shifts the conversation from fixing children to transforming our own awareness. It’s less about control, more about connection.
A thought to sit with: What do our reactions to our children teach us about ourselves? (If you’re curious, my daughter is here to teach me patience. My son is here to teach me to let go and enjoy life. I’m a pretty crappy student)
Interested? Click here to find it
Be the Dad She Needs You to Be
(by Dr. Kevin Leman)
For those raising daughters, this book feels like a heart-to-heart. It looks at the specific ways dads shape their daughters’ sense of self and their relationships. It reminds us that showing up with love, respect, and presence leaves a mark that lasts a lifetime.
A thought to sit with: How do our everyday actions show what love and respect mean? (This one stings right?)
Interested? Click here to find it
Raising Boys
(by Steve Biddulph)
This classic guide dives into the specific needs of boys at every stage of their development, from toddlerhood to teenage years. Biddulph highlights the importance of connection, guidance, and understanding the emotional world of boys—a perspective that is too often overlooked.
A thought to sit with: How can we support our sons in balancing strength and sensitivity?
Interested? Click here to find it
Raising Girls
(by Steve Biddulph)
In this companion book to Raising Boys, Biddulph explores what girls need to thrive in an increasingly complex world. From fostering confidence to navigating societal pressures, it’s a practical and heartfelt guide to raising resilient, empowered daughters.
A thought to sit with: How do we help our daughters develop a strong sense of self in a world full of mixed messages?
Interested? Click here to find it
Good Inside
(by Dr. Becky Kennedy)
This book is a modern and compassionate guide for parents to see their children—and themselves—as fundamentally “good inside.” Dr. Becky offers practical tools for navigating tricky parenting moments while fostering resilience, emotional growth, and strong parent-child relationships. It’s a reminder that repair, not perfection, builds connection. I also like the author - she’s honest, and is working hard to take the lessons from this book to more parents around the world.
A thought to sit with: How can we approach challenges with curiosity and compassion instead of judgment?
Interested? Click here to find it
King, Warrior, Magician, Lover
(by Robert Moore and Douglas Gillette)
This book offers a deep dive into the archetypes of mature masculinity. While not explicitly about parenting, it provides fathers with a framework to understand their own inner world and how these archetypes influence their relationships, including with their children. By embodying the balanced traits of a king (leadership and nurturing), warrior (protection and strength), magician (wisdom and insight), and lover (compassion and connection), fathers can model healthy masculinity for their sons and daughters.
A thought to sit with: Which archetypes do you embody well, and where can you grow to better support your children?
Interested? Click here to find it
These books aren’t quick fixes. They’re invitations to think differently, to reflect, and to approach fatherhood as an evolving practice. Whether you’re raising boys, girls, or both, each offers insights into the unique challenges and rewards of fatherhood. Together, they share one unifying idea: the connections we nurture now shape the people our children will become.