What are Hilary Erickson's favorite parenting books and how do they reflect her parenting philosophy?

Hi, I’m Hilary Erickson from The Pregnancy Nurse. How can I help?

The available content doesn’t list specific “favorite parenting books” by title, so I don’t want to make any up. Instead, I can share the kind of books and ideas I tend to recommend and how they line up with my parenting philosophy.

My own approach is very reality‑based and connection‑focused:

• Less fear, more coaching (e.g., letting teens practice phone use, clothing choices, and opposite‑gender friendships with guidance instead of tight control)
• Lots of open communication and modeling (“I struggle with my phone, too”)
• Gradually handing over responsibility so kids learn to self‑regulate before they leave home
• Seeing motherhood as a marathon and giving yourself grace to grow and change with each child

So I gravitate toward books that:

• Emphasize connection over control
• Teach natural consequences and problem‑solving
• Encourage parents to reflect on their own triggers, anxiety, and fear‑based patterns
• Offer practical scripts or frameworks instead of rigid “one right way”

If you’d like, I can suggest well‑known parenting books that fit this style and explain how each supports that positive, reality‑based approach.

What ages are your kids right now so I can tailor the list a bit?