Best Parenting Books for Second Child (2026): 5 Compared

Finding the best parenting books for second child families gets easier once you know the angle: some tackle sibling rivalry, others cover the shock of going from one to two. We compared five books by listed page count, series position, publication date and what each description says, so you can match the book to your family.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Peaceful Parent, Happy Siblings	9.7/10	Buy
2	How to Have Second Child First	9.7/10	Buy
3	Sh!t No One Tells You: Baby #2	9.6/10	Buy
4	Teach Your Child to Read	9.6/10	Buy
5	When We Became Four	9.6/10	Buy

1

Peaceful Parent, Happy Siblings

Dr. Laura Markham·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Dr. Laura Markham's research-based guide to stopping sibling fighting and building lifelong bonds, 352 pages.

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Pros

• Sibling-specific advice
• Research-based methods
• 352 pages

Cons

• 2015 publication
• No series
• Peaceful parenting focus

2

How to Have Second Child First

Kerry Colburn·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Kerry Colburn's 100 entries from second-time parents on pregnancy and the first year, 176 pages.

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Pros

• 100 practical entries
• Second-timer wisdom
• 176 pages, quick read

Cons

• 2010 publication
• Book 1 of 3
• First-timer focus

3

Sh!t No One Tells You: Baby #2

Dawn Dais·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Dawn Dais's funny guide to surviving two children, Book 3 of 4, 208 pages.

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Pros

• Humorous tone
• Baby #2 specific
• 208 pages

Cons

• Book 3 of 4
• 2016 publication
• Profanity in title

4

Teach Your Child to Read

Siegfried Engelmann·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Siegfried Engelmann's phonics program in 100 lessons, 420 pages, revised second edition.

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Pros

• 100 step-by-step lessons
• 420 pages
• Research-supported

Cons

• Not second-child specific
• 1986 publication
• Phonics only

5

When We Became Four

Jill Caryl Weiner·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Jill Caryl Weiner's family memory book for the second baby's arrival, 160 pages.

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Pros

• Family keepsake journal
• 160 pages
• Big sibling included

Cons

• Memory book, not advice
• 2018 publication
• No parenting strategies

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More picks to compare

• The Second Baby Survival Guide234 pages, toddler plus newborn advice.Check on Amazon
• Twice BlessedPreparing marriage and firstborn, 224 pages.Check on Amazon
• The Firstborn and the NewbornFirstborn jealousy strategies, 131 pages.Check on Amazon
• From One Child to TwoSibling research, 224 pages, coping guide.Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 20 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit for a second-child family, contents and edition, and value. None of the five listings states a warranty term or a safety certification, so those score zero. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best parenting books for second child

Sibling dynamics or survival guide

Peaceful Parent, Happy Siblings tackles fighting and bonding between siblings with research-based advice. How to Have Your Second Child First collects 100 entries from second-time parents on pregnancy and the first year. The Sh!t No One Tells You About Baby #2 covers the reality of two children with humor. When We Became Four is a memory book for the whole family. Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons is a phonics program, useful but not second-child specific.

Length and format

Page counts run 160 to 420 where stated. The Sh!t No One Tells You About Baby #2 is Book 3 of 4 in its series. How to Have Your Second Child First is Book 1 of 3. Check the series number on the listing before buying a mid-series book.

Before you buy

• Check the format: page counts run 160 to 420 pages where stated.
• For a series, confirm the book number on the listing.
• Read the description for tone: practical, humorous, or keepsake.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which book is about sibling rivalry?

Peaceful Parent, Happy Siblings by Dr. Laura Markham, with research-based advice on stopping the fighting and raising friends for life.

Which book is the funniest?

The Sh!t No One Tells You About Baby #2 by Dawn Dais, with chapters on losing control and having a favorite.

Is there a memory book for the second baby?

When We Became Four by Jill Caryl Weiner, a 160-page keepsake journal for the whole family.

Which book helps first-timers think like second-timers?

How to Have Your Second Child First by Kerry Colburn, with 100 entries from experienced parents.

Still deciding? Our top pickPeaceful Parent, Happy Siblings

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