These are some of the best resources for divorce, moving on, and finding your feet as a single parent. There are books, websites, and more for both parents and kids in this list. (Some links may be affiliate links.)
Still Considering Divorce But Not Sure Yet?
- The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work: A Practical Guide from the Country’s Foremost Relationship Expert by John Gottman Ph.D. and Nan Silver
- Why Marriages Succeed or Fail: And How You Can Make Yours Last by John Gottman
- Decisive: How to Make Better Choices in Life and Work by Chip Heath and Dan Heath
- Love Cycles: The Five Essential Stages of Lasting Love by Linda Carroll and Sam Keen
- You Can’t Say That to Me: Stopping the Pain of Verbal Abuse–An 8- Step Program by Suzette Haden Elgin
- You Just Don’t Understand: Women and Men in Conversation by Deborah Tannen
- That’s Not What I Meant!: How Conversational Style Makes or Breaks Relationships by Deborah Tannen
Making the Transition From Married to Divorced
- The Good Karma Divorce: Avoid Litigation, Turn Negative Emotions into Positive Actions, and Get On with the Rest of Your Life by Michele Lowrance
- Divorce and Beyond Participants (Divorce & Remarriage) by James Greteman and Leon M. S. W. Haverkamp
- Thriving After Divorce: Transforming Your Life When a Relationship Ends by Tonja Evetts Weimer
- You Can Heal Your Life by Louise Hay
- Peace From Broken Pieces: How to Get Through What You’re Going Through by Iyanla Vanzant
- Divorce & New Beginnings: A Complete Guide to Recovery, Solo Parenting, Co-Parenting, and Stepfamilies by Genevieve Clapp
- True Purpose: 12 Strategies for Discovering the Difference You Are Meant to Make by Tim Kelley
- Divorce: Overcome the Overwhelm and Avoid the Six Biggest Mistakes—Insights from Personal Divorce Coaches by Pegotty Cooper and Randall R. Cooper
- The Way Of Transition: Embracing Life’s Most Difficult Moments by William Bridges
- Transcending Divorce: Ten Essential Touchstones for Finding Hope and Healing Your Heart by Alan D. Wolfelt PhD
- Letting Go: A 12-Week Personal Action Plan to Overcome a Broken Heart by Tracy Cabot and Zev Wanderer
- Splitting: Protecting Yourself While Divorcing Someone with Borderline or Narcissistic Personality Disorder by Bill Eddy and Randi Kreger
- Biff: Quick Responses to High Conflict People, Their Personal Attacks, Hostile Email and Social Media Meltdowns by Bill Eddy
- Don’t Alienate the Kids! by Bill Eddy
- The Gentle Art of Verbal Self-Defense by Suzette H Elgin
- More on the Gentle Art of Verbal Self-Defense by Suzette H Elgin
- How to Disagree Without Being Disagreeable: Getting Your Point Across with the Gentle Art of Verbal Self-Defense by Suzette H Elgin
- Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In by Roger Fisher and William L. Ury
- Getting Past No: Negotiating in Difficult Situations by William Ury
- Difficult Conversations: How to Discuss What Matters Most by Douglas Stone and Bruce Patton
Online Organization Tools for Divorce
- SplitSmart a tool to help couples organize financial & child issues to streamline the divorce process and save time and money
- Dtour a tool allowing all parties (spouses, attorneys & financial advisors) access to all the same documents for easy collaboration & documentation
- Our Family Wizard a tool helping parents have shared access to the parenting schedule, send messages and even avoid sending emotionally-charged messages with their tone checker (Highly recommended by court systems throughout the country)
Children & Parents (Books, Websites, & More)
Books For Children:
- Helping Your Kids Cope with Divorce the Sandcastles Way by M. Gary Neuman and Patricia Romanowski
- Two Homes by Claire Masurel and Kady MacDonald Denton
- It’s Not Your Fault, Koko Bear: A Read-Together Book for Parents and Young Children During Divorce by Vicki Lansky
- Mom’s House, Dad’s House for Kids: Feeling at Home in One Home or Two by Isolina Ricci Ph.D.
- Daddy Doesn’t Live Here Anymore : A Book About Divorce by Betty Boegehold
- Dinosaurs Divorce (A Guide for Changing Families) by Marc Brown and Laurie Krasny Brown
- The Divorce Workbook for Teens: Activities to Help You Move Beyond the Breakup by Lisa M. Schab LCSW
- When Divorce Hits Home: Keeping Yourself Together When Your Family Comes Apart by Beth Joselow and Thea Joselow
- A Handful of Quiet: Happiness in Four Pebbles by Thich Nhat Hanh & Wietske Vriezen
- On the Day You Were Born by Deborah Frasier
- You Are My I Love You by Maryann Cusimano Love & Satomi Ichikawa
- Tell Me Again About the Night I Was Born by Jamie Lee Curtis
- My Mom and Dad Don’t Live Together Anymore: A Drawing Book for Kids by Judith Rubin
Books For Parents:
- Divorce Poison New and Updated Edition: How to Protect Your Family from Bad-mouthing and Brainwashing by Dr. Richard A. Warshak
- Mindful Co-Parenting: A Child-Friendly Path through Divorce by Kristen Race
- Rebuilding: When Your Relationship Ends by Bruce Fisher EdD and Robert Alberti PhD
- The High Road Has Less Traffic…and a better view (Volume 1) by Monique A. Honaman
- Helping Children Cope with Divorce, Revised and Updated Edition 1st Edition by Edward Teyber
- Creative Interventions for Children of Divorce by Liana Lowenstein and MSW
- Putting Children First: Proven Parenting Strategies for Helping Children Thrive Through Divorce by JoAnne Pedro-Carroll
- Minimalist Parenting by Christine Koh and Asha Dornfest
- Comfortable With Uncertainty: 108 Teachings on Cultivating Fearlessness and Compassion by Pema Chodron
- Got a Minute? 60-Second Erotica by Alison Tyler
- The Divorce Party a novel by Laura Dave
- Welcome to Your Crisis: How to Use the Power of Crisis to Create the Life You Want by Laura Day
- The Little Book of Letting Go by Hugh Prather
- The Happiest Mom by Meagan Francis
- Committed: A Love Story by Elizabeth Gilbert
- Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
- Short Prayers for Busy Women by Harriet Crosby
- Making Divorce Easier on Your Child by Nicholas Long and Rex Forehand
- The Gift of Change by Marianne Williamson
- Uncoupling: Turning Points in Intimate Relationships by Diane Vaughan
- Hold On But Don’t Hold Still by Kristina Kuzmic
- Celebrating the TOO MUCH Woman: We shine because baby, you just can’t dim the sun by Gina Hatzis
Websites for Parents:
- Association of Family & Conciliation Courts some great resources for families going through divorce
- National Association of School Psychologists mental health rresource for kids
- Tips from Mayo Clinic
- Helping Your Child Through Divorce more tips on kids and divorce
- The Cradle compassionate, inclusive adoption agency and resources
- AlphaMom’s Guide to Pregnancy pregnant? Enjoy the laughs here!
- Good Vibrations inclusive, discreet sex toys and erotica for single mamas who want to keep it a solo act for now
- Curvy Girl lingerie, toys, and more for sexy larger mamas and a great blog for making all women feel better regardless of their shape or size
Videos for Children:
- Cosmic Kids Yoga yoga perfect for kids
Videos for Parents:
- Enough Said about two divorced single parents who fall awkwardly in love, with James Gandolfini and Julia Louis Dreyfus
- The Story of Us about a couple who spend a summer apart to decide whether to stay together or divorce while the kids are at camp
Things to do:
- Single Mom Meet Up find mom groups in your local area
- Single Parent Travel if you enjoy traveling, this site offers reviews, advice, and group trips for single parents
- Girlfriend Circles online community where you can connect with female friends, group trips and local meet-ups
- Boys & Girls Clubs of America A place for your kids to develop character, engage in activities and make friends
- Esme Sister Chat an online community for single moms to chat and get advice
Legal:
- The American Bar Association
- LawHelp.org where to find free legal aid in your state
- Divorce Dictionary simple alphabetical guide to legal terms
- Divorce Info lots of info on divorce and how to manage
Money & Finances:
- Divorce and Your Money a great resource for info about finances and divorce
- Jean Chatzky’s Making Money Make Sense newsletters and tips
- Office of Child Support Enforcement government guide, support and resources
- Grants for Single Parents legitimate academic financial support for single moms and dads