Goth Parenting: The Dark Joys of Raising Baby Bats isn’t as cute as your little monsters—but it gets close. Arriving from Chronicle Books on September 3rd, this off-beat parenting book by Casey Gilly was written for those with the values of The Addams Family. This makes a wonderful gift for any of your more alternative friends who are expecting or have welcomed their own dark spawn. Or hey, even pick it up for yourself.

The book itself is quite short. I read it in about ten minutes. It’s divided into three sections: Release the Baby Bats (0-12 months), Chasing Little Goblins (1-3 years), and Children of the Night (4-7 years). There is also a sweet epilogue to wrap everything up. I told you, Goth Parenting is really cute. It’s also pretty funny, with references and plays on words on every page. The illustrations by Robin Robinson match perfectly.

Now, if sweet and cute isn’t exactly the vibe you wanted to go for with this, don’t worry—I have suggestions. Pair Goth Parenting with one or more of the horror novels below and you or your loved one is sure to enjoy the terrors of parenting!

Horror Book Recommendations

Nestlings by Nat Cassidy

Described as a combination between Rosemary’s Baby and ‘Salem’s Lot, Nestlings is a wonderful choice if you want to terrify your friend who has a newborn. It would be extra creepy if they just moved into a new apartment. This book is far more than just parenting horror. It’s an emotional and poignant exploration of what lengths we can and should go to for our children. 

Incidents Around the House by Josh Malerman

Want to understand your child better past the years covered in Goth Parenting? Incidents Around the House is told from the perspective of Bela, an eight-year-old girl. Bela has a friend who lives in her closet that she calls Other Mommy. Other Mommy isn’t acting like a friend anymore, though. This book is impressively scary, and will have any reader concerned about their child’s imaginary friend. 

A Child Alone with Strangers by Philip Fracassi

This novel also contains the perspective of a child, but is very different from Josh Malerman’s. Part crime novel, part creature feature, A Child Alone with Strangers is a wild ride from start to finish. As for including it in a list of parenting horror books? The depiction of having your child kidnapped is horribly real. Even more than that, the ways in which multiple people, including a certain entity, interact with children leaves plenty to think about. 

What Kind of Mother by Clay McLeod Chapman

This book has the distinction of being the only one on this list I haven’t read. That’s how much I trust Clay. Plus I did hear him read a small section from it and can confidently say it makes this list. Like A Child Alone With Strangers, What Kind of Mother also involves a missing child—but five years too late. Or is it? I can’t wait to dive into this one, and unless you or your friend is terrified of crabs, you should too. Or, if the concept of crabs is terrifying, definitely pick it up… your choice. 

Nightbitch by Rachel Yoder

Less about parenting and more about motherhood, this book—about a woman who believes she is becoming a dog—definitely deserves a place here. This one could also not be classified as horror and I’d understand. It does lean a little more literary fiction, in that “weird girl fic kind of way.” It’s a painful treatise on identity and creation—artistically, maternally, and individually. 

Pet Sematary by Stephen King 

A horror classic, it’s inspired by his very real fear as a father who nearly watched his son die. The what if plagued him. If Nestlings asked how far we should go for our kids, this book is where Stephen King goes too far.
Okay, maybe they won’t thank you for including this one. 

Whatever your relationship to little ones, I hope you found something here that warms your dark heart—or terrifies it.

Copy courtesy of Chronicle Books.

Have strong thoughts about this piece you need to share? Or maybe there’s something else on your mind you’re wanting to talk about with fellow Fandomentals? Head on over to our Community server to join in the conversation!