10 Inspirational Books for Solo Parents

Parenting is one challenging job even for those who are happily married. How much more for those who parent their kids without a spouse or partner?

Here are some books and movies that can inspire and empower solo parents as they bravely take on this role in their children’s lives.

1. The Single Mom's Guide to Finding Joy in the Chaos by Elsa Kok Colopy 

This book was authored by a woman who was a single mom for 12 years. She shares how raising a preschooler can be exhausting but also full of joy. She discusses how it's full of tender moments, happy tears, and downright crazy fun! In The Single Mom's Guide to Finding Joy in the Chaos, the author addresses a host of everyday issues. Moreover, the book has brief, practical chapters that each discusses a single topic a single mom may need advice on.  They were designed that way because the author knows that single moms don't have time to sit down, relax, and read a whole book at once! 

2. Chicken Soup for the Single Parent's Soul: Stories of Hope, Healing and Humor (Chicken Soup for the Soul) By Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Laurie Hartman, Nancy Vogl 

Single parents can find inspiration and advice from fellow single parents in this book. Let me quote from the book’s product description:

Every single parent has a different story to tell, but a common thread of hope and comfort unites them all.

Chicken Soup for the Single Parent's Soul shares the joys, challenges and humorous moments of single moms and dads, who cope daily with the unique pressures, constraints and sacrifices this important role brings. From daily struggles to amazing triumphs, this book captures the breadth of experiences that define single parenting. 

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3. Positive Discipline for Single Parents: Nurturing, Cooperation, Respect and Joy in Your Single-Parent Family by Jane Nelsen Ed.D., Cheryl Erwin, Carol Delzer 

The revised and updated edition of this book seeks to help single parents succeed raising a child who is responsible, respectful, and resourceful. Among the topics discussed in the book are the following: 

• How to identify potential problems and develop skills to prevent them 

• How to budget time each week for family activities 

• How to create a respectful co-parenting relationship with a former spouse 

• How to use non-punitive methods to help children make wise decisions about their behavior. 

4. The Single Mother's Guide to Raising Remarkable Boys by Gina Panettieri with Philip S. Hall

The Single Mother's Guide to Raising Remarkable Boys helps the single mother juggle her many roles which may include being a coach, chef, cheerleader, buddy, housekeeper, teacher, disciplinarian, and nurturer. The book also teaches her how to help her son: 

• Succeed in school 

• Find an appropriate male role model 

• Socialize and combat peer pressure 

• Deal with sex, drugs, and video games

The book is complete with resources and recommended strategies for every stage of a boy's life.  

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5. Dating and the Single Parent by Ron L. Deal

One of the concerns of some single parents is dating and how it would affect their relationship with their child/children. The author has counseled single parents and remarried couples for many years as well as those who date them navigate the potential pitfalls involved. He helps them see when a relationship may be harmful to the children and when it can be a blessing to all. It also has questions for individual or group study.

6. A Complete Guide for Single Dads by Craig Baird

This book was a product of hours of meticulous research and interviews to help single fathers raise their child/children even without the help of a spouse or wife. One of the things that the book teaches dads is how to reassure their children and give them a sense of family even without a mom present. Dads will also learn will learn, among other things discussed in the book, the differences between having daughters versus sons and how to handle issues that moms usually take care of. 

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7. A Complete Guide for Single Moms by Janis Adams 

This comprehensive book is written for all kinds of single moms, whether she became a single mom due to separation or divorce, surrogacy, adoption, unplanned pregnancy, or because of the death of a spouse. Among other topics discussed, the book talked about pregnancy while single and where the single mom can get support and help. It also discussed relevant concerns of single moms spanning from early childcare to early years in school and the extra challenging teenage years. The book teaches the single mom how to take care of herself aside from taking care of her child/children and many other issues that concern single moms.

8. Married Mom, Solo Parent by Carla Anne Coroy

This book is unique from other books for solo parents because it’s for married women who feel like they are solo parents too. This could be because the husband is working away from home most of the time, working all the time even when at home, or simply uninvolved in the lives of his children. The Author shares her own experience as she went through this difficulty.  

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And here are two books that solo parents can read to their kids.

9. Do I Have a Daddy? A Story about a Single-Parent Child by Jeanne Warren Lindsay

A young mother explains to her son Erik why he doesn’t see his Dad and helps him understand that all families are different. She also assures him of her constant love and presence. The book includes a section of suggested answers to the question “Do I have a Daddy?”

10. The Invisible String by Patrice Karst

This children’s book is a steady best-seller. It was written by a single mother who also authored the book A Single Mother’s Survival Guide.

The story begins with a mother explaining to her twins that they’re all connected through an invisible string made of love. This was specifically written to address the fear in children to be separated from the ones they love or care for. It gives the assurance that though physically separated, we are all connected heart to heart by an invisible string with the ones we love. 

*All books are available at www.amazon.com in various formats (paperback, hardcover or kindle). You may check their website for more details (price and format available) about these books. Availability at local bookstores however is not guaranteed.