12 Books That Every Mother Needs

In honor of Mother’s Day, Patch explored the local for the perfect collection of books every mother will need at some point in her mommy career.

The Art of War (with your kids): Motherhood can been seen as a battle of wills with your children, so why not get some advice from the best military advisor history has produced? Pick up The Art of War, by Sun Tzu. For example, Tzu said, “If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles.”

Tricky cookbooks: Bring peace to the dinner table by refusing to fight over vegetables. Take some advice from Jessica Seinfeld’s Deceptively Delicious and hide the green stuff in casseroles, mac and cheese, brownies and cookies. What they don’t know won’t hurt them—and might even be healthy.

Bring out your inner psychic: A little mind reading could go a long way on the journey through motherhood. Every mom wishes she had psychic powers, whether she’s trying to  translate baby babble or figuring out a tween’s grumpy eye rolls.

Advice for local fun: Every mom needs a this local guide to all the fun spots in the metro area. Pick up Favorite Places to Go With Kids In St. Louis for new moms or moms who are new to the area.

Keep all those balls in the air: If mom can juggle children, chores and career, surely a few balls won't be any trouble. Learn to juggle the real thing and pick up a juggling book. Then maybe you won't need to hire that clown for your little one's next birthday party.

Sleep guides: Forget the Ferber Method. What some moms need is a book on getting themselves to sleep when they’re plagued with worry.

Stop the craziness: Vinny from Jersey Shore isn’t a mom, but maybe his advice book, Control the Crazy, can help mom sort out the insanity children bring to her life.

Reboot your kid: Have a New Kid By Friday promises to makeover a child’s behavior problems in a few days with simple—and gutsy—advice.

Get dirty: Don’t raise a kid who’s allergic to dirt! There are several advice books on how to bring nature into your family routine—and why it’s good for kids to run wild through the wilderness. Check out 15 Minutes Outside for quick advice or get more in depth with Last Child in the Woods.

Beddy-bye spoofs: There’s been a rash of children’s books parodies meant strictly for the enjoyment of parents sick and tired of reading Pat the Bunny for the thousandth time. Pick up Pat the Zombie or Go the (bleep) to Sleep for a naughty giggle. Just don’t let these books share shelf space with the real thing.

Hit them with some knowledge: Sure you can turn to the Internet to find the answers for all the odd questions kids ask, like why is the sky blue or why do dogs bark? Pick up a copy of Do Fish Drink Water? and prepare yourself for the questions they haven’t asked…yet.

Conquer the fear: Motherhood isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. If germs, stranger danger and unpadded playgrounds leave you quaking in fear, try Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway.