Books for Parents about Divorce and Co-parenting

Although some of the titles on the list may seem optimistic when one is involved in an acrimonious relationship contemplating or in the midst of divorce, repeated studies show that the relationship between parents after divorce correlates to how well children weather the changes ushered in by divorce.  What you say, do and don’t do has a profound and often lasting impact upon your children.  While it often hard to think past the next hour when one is caught up in the turmoil of separation and divorce, the ability to anticipate and prevent co parenting problems in the months and years that follow is essential to your child’s well-being.  Although many parents would lay down their lives for their children, many find it hard in the midst of divorce to simply lay down their anger.

The titles that follow are offered to help you identify when emotions encroach on good parenting, highlight common problems during and after divorce and suggest alternative solutions.  It is our hope that you will read some of these materials to learn how you can best plan for your children following your divorce and shield them from unnecessary pain and suffering. 

The Good Divorce:  Keeping Your Family Together When Your Marriage Comes Apart by Constance Ahrons (1995)

Vicki Lansky’s Divorce Book for Parents:  Helping Your Children Cope with Divorce and Its Aftermath by Vicki Lansky (1996)

Between Love and Hate:  A Guide to Civilized Divorce by Lois Gold (1996)

Mom’s House, Dad’s House:  A Complete Guide for Parents Who Are Separated, Divorced or Remarried by Isolina Ricci, Ph.D. (Simon & Schuster: 1997)

Families Apart:  Ten Keys to Successful Co-Parenting by Melinda Blau (1995)

Why Did You Have to Get a Divorce?  And When Can I Get a Hamster?:  A Guide to Parenting Through Divorce (1998)

Don’t Divorce Your Children:  Children and Their Parents Talk About Divorce by Jennifer Lewis & William Sammons (1999)

Helping Children Cope with Divorce, Revised and Updated Edition by Edward Teyber (2001)

Helping Your Kids Cope with Divorce the Sandcastles Way by M. Gary Neuman & Patricia Romanowski (1999)

Spiritual Divorce: Divorce as a Catalyst for an Extraordinary Life by Debbie Ford (2001)

Aftermarriage – The Myth of Divorce by Anita W. Robboy (2002)

When There Is No Other Alternative: A Spiritual Guide for Jewish Couples Contemplating Divorce by Rabbi Sanford Seltzer (2000)

101 Ways To Be A Long-Distance Super Dad . . or Mom, Too! By George Newman (Blossom Valley Press in AZ).