Being a single mom can be hard. Check out this list of best books for single moms to help and inspire you on your journey.
Being a single mom can be hard and overwhelming at first. When I first became a single mom I found that making time to read (even just in bits here and there!) helpful and inspirational books boosted my spirits and gave me the courage to forge on!
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If you know a single mom and want to give her a gift, consider a subscription to Audible! I hardly ever have time to read, but I LOVE listening to audiobooks in the car or while I’m doing boring chores. (If you sign up before December 31, 2020, you get a discount for the first 6 months!)
Check out this list of best books for single moms:
Inspirational:
The Gifts of Imperfection & I Thought It Was Just Me (But It Isn’t) by Brene Brown
Everything I’ve read by Brene Brown has been great! These 2 books are my favorite. The Gifts of Imperfection is a short, easy read and I Thought It Was Just Me is very inspirational (shows that we are all connected by our common struggles – nobody’s life is without difficulties!).
13 Things Mentally Strong Women Don’t Do by Amy Morin
I loved how the author, Amy Morin, prefaced this book by saying that these 13 things aren’t things she perfectly avoids all the time, but rather, goals to aim toward and work on. I found it very helpful as a single mom when I was mentally struggling.
The Power of Resilience by Robert Brooks and Sam Goldstein
Resilience is the ability to weather through difficult and tough times. People who are successful persevere and never give up. Be an example of resilience to your kids!
Parenting & Co-Parenting:
The Co-Parenting Handbook by Karen Bonnell
Learn how to put your children’s needs first and develop strategies to resolve issues and have good boundaries with the practical tips in this book.
Cooperative Parenting and Divorce by Susan Blyth Boyan
This workbook gives concrete ideas and steps on how to help children and keep them out of the focus of the conflict.
Peaceful Parents, Happy Kids by Laura Markham
This is a great parenting book on how to stop yelling, connect deeply with your kids, and be a calm, loving parent.
How to Talk so Little Kids Will Listen by Joanna Faber and Julie King
I listened to this as an audiobook and I really enjoyed it. There are lots of real-life examples of difficult parenting situations (for kids ages 2 – 7) and how to handle them in a respectful, gentle way.
How to Talk so Kids Will Listen & Listen so Kids Will Talk by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish
This is the companion book to the one above for older kids.
No-Drama Discipline and The Whole-Brain Child by Daniel Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson
These 2 books help you understand your child’s growing brain and navigate difficult parenting situations based on brain research.
Boundaries with Kids by Henry Cloud and John Townsend
Learning how to set appropriate boundaries is important. Many people don’t understand or know how to set boundaries, start by learning how to set them with your kids and then they will learn how to have healthy relationships.
Relationships:
Beyond Boundaries: Learning to Trust Again in Relationships by Dr. John Townsend
Broken trust can make dating and navigating new relationships very hard. This book will help you learn how to move beyond the past and have better relationships in the future.
Boundaries in Dating by John Townsend and Henry Cloud
By the same author, this book focuses on setting appropriate boundaries in dating relationships.
The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman
This is a classic. Learn how to show love to others in a way that makes them feel loved.
Divorce:
How to Talk to Your Kids about Divorce by Samantha Rodman
This book gives helpful, practical tips on how to guide your kids to express their thoughts and navigate their feelings around divorce and strengthen your relationship with them at the same time.
Divorce Poison by Richard A. Warshak
This book gives practical advice on how to deal with difficult situations involving bad-mouthing and brainwashing.
Financial:
The Simple Path to Wealth by JL Collins
This is one of my favorite financial books and helped me get a basic understanding on investing and move past my fear of it. Most people don’t become millionaires overnight (by lottery or inheritance), rather through making simple, smart money choices consistently over time. This book will help you get on the right path.
The Bogelheads’ Guide to Investing by Taylor Larimore et. al.
This book is a teeny bit dry, but covers basic investing information in a fairly easy to read format.
Smart Money Smart Kids by Dave Ramsey
This book gives great ideas on how set your kids up on a great financial path. There are examples from the authors’ lives, as well as ideas of what you can do with your own kids.
Kid’s Books about Divorce:
These 2 gentle pictures books talk about separated families:
Two Homes by Claire Masurel
The little child in this simple, beautiful book describes the favorite things in each of his parent’s home. A simple, factual look at separated families.
Dinosaurs Divorce: A Guide for Changing Families by Marc Brown
This story, told through the eyes of dinosaur families, talks about divorce and what it means. The book describes different things that families encounter during divorce (separate houses, telling friends, and possible step-families) and that it’s ok to have hard feelings about it all.
This list of books every single mom should read can help you learn how to support your children, communicate with the other parent, and find help for yourself. Being a single mom can be hard. Try one of these great reads to help you on your journey.
