Why Personal Development Matters to Me as a Parent (and the Books That Changed Everything)

I used to only read for escape — fiction that helped me unwind after long days filled with meltdowns, meals, and messy rooms. And honestly? That kind of reading still matters. But over the years, I’ve started reaching for books that do more than entertain. I’ve started reaching for growth.

Parenting a neurodivergent child has pushed me to confront every part of myself — the impatient parts, the reactive parts, the tired and unsure parts. I realized that if I wanted to parent differently, I needed to keep learning. Not just about ADHD or anxiety, but about myself.

So I started reading non-fiction — slowly, inconsistently at first. But the more I read, the more I noticed something shifting. I began responding instead of reacting. I caught myself mid-pattern and made a different choice. I started leading with curiosity instead of control.