Parents going through divorce are stressed and don’t have a lot of time. Parenting on a good day is hard and time consuming. Then, adding in all of the time involved with meetings and gathering information for a divorce, not to mention the distraction of the pain, loss, and stress, basically adds at least another part time job on top of parenting and whatever day job a parent may hold. All that to say, that it’s a lot! Parents don’t have a lot of extra time on their hands, but they are concerned about the impact on their children. Parents want to do their best for their children and good information can help them do that. In that spirit, I’m sharing some of my favorite books related to co-parenting and divorce adjustment for children that I recommend on repeat, ideally to save you the time to look titles up for yourself.
Great book for understanding divorce impact on children by developmental age/stage:
The Truth About Children and Divorce by Robert Emery
Co-Parenting Guidance:
Keeping Kids Out of the Middle: Child-Centered Parenting in the Midst of Conflict, Separation, and Divorce by Benjamin Garber, PhD
The Co-Parenting Handbook by Karen Bonnell and Kristin Little
The Quick Guide to Co-parenting After Divorce: Three Steps to Your Child’s Healthy Adjustment by Lisa Gabardi, PhD
Essential reading for how to have no drama business like communication with your co-parent:
BIFF by Bill Eddy
So, What’s Your Proposal by Bill Eddy
For Difficult or High Conflict Divorces:
Joint Custody with a Jerk by Ross, Julie and Corcoran, Judy
The Five Types of People that Can Ruin Your Life by Bill Eddy
You Don’t Have to Crush Your Ex: Hints, Hacks, and Hell-No’s to “Win” Your Custody Evaluation by Lori Bonnevier, LCSW
Books for Young Kids:
Hazen, Barbara. (1978) Two Homes to Live In: A Child’s Eye View of Divorce.
Magid, K. and Schreibman, W. (1980) Divorce is … A Kid’s Coloring Book.
Sinberg, Janet. (1978) Divorce is a Grown-Up Problem.
Was it the Chocolate Pudding by Sandra Levins and Bryan Langdo
Books for Kids:
Berger, Terry. (1976) How Does it Feel When Your Parents Get Divorced.
Dianna Booher. Coping When Your Family Falls Apart.
Blume, Judy. (1972) It’s Not the End of the World.
Doss, Bonnie. (1998) But What About Me (How it Feels to be a Kid in Divorce).
Gardner, Richard. (1970) The Boys and Girls Book About Divorce.
Mayle, Peter. (1979) Divorce Can Happen to the Nicest People.
Mayle, Peter. (1988) Why Are We Getting A Divorce?
Rogers, Fred, and O’Brien, Claire. (1988) Mr. Rogers Talks With Families About Divorce
Books for Tweens and Teens:
The Divorce Helpbook for Teens Cynthia MacGregor
How to Get it Together When Your Parents are Coming Apart Arlene Kramer Richards
Booher, Dianna. (1979) Coping When Your Family Falls Apart
Brogan, Marden and Fawcett. The Kid’s Guide to Divorce.
