The Recommended Reading Order for Einat Nathan's Books
As a parenting counselor certified by the Adler Institute and Israel's Ministry of Education, Einat Nathan writes with a mixture of raw personal honesty and professional wisdom. Because her works are non-fiction parenting guides rather than chronological fiction, you don't need to worry about spoiling a narrative plot. However, her books follow a distinct thematic progression that mirrors the stages of raising a family. Reading them in this logical order will help you get the most out of her philosophy:
- My Everything: The Parent I Want to Be, The Children I Hope to Raise (Hebrew: Haimsheli, 2018; English edition: 2021) — Start here for the foundational philosophy of relationship-based parenting, focusing on early childhood and general parenting mindsets.
- Mishelanu: Teenagers – A Love Story (Also known internationally as Kind of Perfect or Of Our Own, Hebrew: 2021) — Read this next to understand the transition into adolescence, learning to let go, and building resilience in teenagers.
- To Be Born from a Green Slide (Hebrew: Lehivolad Mitoch Maglesha Yeruka, 2023) — Finish with this deeply reflective look at the inner psychology of motherhood, addressing parental guilt, control, and the emotional complexity of watching children grow up.
Deep Dive into the Books
1. My Everything: The Parent I Want to Be, The Children I Hope to Raise
Originally published in Hebrew as Haimsheli ("My Life") in 2018, this book was a massive national bestseller in Israel before being translated and published in English by Hachette Go in 2021. It serves as the ultimate starting point for Nathan's work. The book urges parents to see the world through their children's eyes and emphasizes that our role is not to protect our kids from all discomfort, but to support them through it. Nathan famously outlines her perspective on building resilience here, sharing a personal letter to her son where she wishes him "a hard time" to help him grow. It is a warm, anecdotal introduction to her rejection of overprotective "snowflake" parenting.
2. Mishelanu: Teenagers – A Love Story (Kind of Perfect)
Published in Hebrew in 2021, Nathan's second book shifts focus to the turbulent teenage years. Often referred to in translation rights discussions as Kind of Perfect or Of Our Own, this guide tackles the psychological shift parents must undergo as their children strive for independence. Nathan shares how to maintain a strong connection with adolescents while respecting their boundaries, teaching parents how to transition from hands-on managers to trusted consultants.
3. To Be Born from a Green Slide
Released in Hebrew in June 2023 under the title Lehivolad Mitoch Maglesha Yeruka, this book takes its name from a poignant parenting metaphor. Nathan describes the parental urge to shrink down and hide inside a child's backpack to protect them at school, comparing the process of letting them go to sending them down a green slide into the unknown. This book is a more introspective guide aimed at the parent's emotional landscape, addressing guilt, anxiety, and the transition of the parent's identity as children become fully independent adults.
What to Know Before You Start
Before diving into Nathan's books, it is helpful to keep a few details in mind:
- English Availability: Currently, only her debut book, My Everything, is widely available in a fully translated English edition. Her second and third books, Mishelanu and Lehivolad Mitoch Maglesha Yeruka, are represented internationally for translation rights, meaning English editions are pending. However, bilingual readers or those following international releases can keep an eye out for these upcoming translations.
- Adlerian Roots: Nathan's advice is deeply rooted in Adlerian psychology, which focuses on mutual respect, encouragement, and understanding the purpose of behavior. It rejects rewards and punishments in favor of natural consequences and strong family connections.
- Audio Companions: If you enjoy her writing style, Nathan has hosted two highly successful parenting podcasts in Hebrew. Her first, Ama Ama ("Mom Mom"), was co-hosted with broadcaster Hila Korach between 2018 and 2021. Her subsequent podcast, Ama Aba ("Mom Dad"), is hosted with her husband, Yuval Nathan, and provides a conversational companion to the themes explored in her books.