Suggested Reading List for Divorce

Clients often ask for a reading list to help not only themselves but their children understand and manage their emotions during this time.Here is a list of some books that you may find helpful:

For the adult going through divorce...

Rebuilding: When Your Relationship Ends by Bruce Fisher

Rebuilding Workbook: When Your Relationship Ends by Bruce Fisher

The late Bruce Fisher was well-known for his "Rebuilding Relationships" seminars. This classic bestseller explains the nineteen "divorce process rebuilding blocks" - from denial, fear, and anger to adaptation, loneliness, and freedom. The workbook is a great tool to getting feelings on paper and evaluating where you are and where you need to go.

How to Survive the Loss of a Love by Peter McWilliams

This book has sold nearly two million copies and is described by those who read it as "comforting", "inspiring" and "healing." Original poetry combined with practical advice and proverbs give this work a unique perspective on the pain of losing a partner.

For the teen going through divorce...

Now What Do I Do? A Guide to Help Teenagers with Their Parents' Separation or Divorce by Lynn Cassella-Kapusinski

In Now What Do I Do? author Lynn Cassella-Kapusinki offers a workbook for teens that helps them flush out their feelings and fears, writing with a style that teens can easily relate to without feeling talked down to.

The book's empathetic tone helps teens confront and define their losses, guiding them through their grief and other difficulties that can result from their parents' separation or divorce, whether the breakup is recent or years in the past. Each chapter includes exercises and activities that can be done alone or with friends. The work helps remove a teen's feelings of guilt and know the steps to emotional recovery as well as improving communication with parents. It is suitable for ages ten and up.

The Big D: Divorce Thru the Eyes of a Teen Activity Guide by Krista Smith

"What do I say to my friends?" "Every day I come home from school and get reminded that my parents are split up I become sick to my stomach. Sometimes I purposely plan things after school just so I don't have to come home and be reminded of it."

These are typical comments from teens. The author puts forth that divorce changes families but it does not have to destroy them. The Big D offers hope and help to teens and their families, showing that their parents divorce does not have to define their future. Teens can learn how to process their feelings and hurts and find themselves emotionally healthier. The Big D is designed to lead teens through the journey of recovery and find hope in the midst of this tragedy. It is filled with many practical high energy activities and hands on tools to help teens process their feelings and additional topic related activities to keep teens engaged. Whether they are currently in the chaos of their situation or it has been years and are living in a blended family this book will help.

The Divorce Helpbook for Teens by Cynthia MacGregor

The popular author of The Divorce Helpbook for Kids (also recommended) wrote this new resource for teenagers in divorced and divorcing families. MacGregor knows that divorce can be especially tough on teens, and her warm and friendly guide offers a helping hand to teens struggling to answer the tough questions when their parents divorce: Why do parents get divorced? How will the divorce change our lives? What can I do to feel less depressed? Whom can I talk with about my problems? What's likely to happen next? How do you tell absent parents that they don't visit often enough? How do you say "no" to parents who want you to carry messages to, or spy on, the other parent? What is there to talk about when you visit a parent who's moved away?

Packed with vignettes, strategies, and solid advice The Divorce Helpbook for Teens is an excellent resource for teens. As the author wisely counsels her readers: "You can't undo the divorce, but you can change some of the hassles that resulted from it."