Summary:
Co-parenting, or raising children together after a separation or divorce, can be a challenging and emotional journey for both parents. However, with the right resources and support, it is possible to navigate these challenges and create a successful co-parenting relationship for the benefit of the children involved.
In this blog post, we have compiled a list of the top 45 parenting books for co-parenting. These books cover a wide range of topics, from communication and conflict resolution to blending families and managing emotions. They offer valuable insights, tips, and strategies for navigating the complexities of co-parenting and creating a healthy and positive environment for children.
We have categorized these books into different sections to make it easier for you to find the ones that best suit your specific needs and challenges. Whether you are just starting your co-parenting journey or looking for ways to improve your current situation, these books are a valuable resource for any co-parent.
Communication and Conflict Resolution:
1. “Co-Parenting with a Toxic Ex: What to Do When Your Ex-Spouse Tries to Turn the Kids Against You” by Amy J. L. Baker and Paul R. Fine
2. “Mom’s House, Dad’s House: Making Two Homes for Your Child” by Isolina Ricci
3. “The Co-Parenting Handbook: Raising Well-Adjusted and Resilient Kids from Little Ones to Young Adults through Divorce or Separation” by Karen Bonnell and Kristin Little
4. “The Co-Parenting Survival Guide: Letting Go of Conflict After a Difficult Divorce” by Elizabeth Thayer and Jeffrey Zimmerman
5. “Joint Custody with a Jerk: Raising a Child with an Uncooperative Ex” by Julie A. Ross and Judy Corcoran
Blending Families:
6. “The Smart Stepfamily: Seven Steps to a Healthy Family” by Ron L. Deal
7. “The Successful Stepfamily: Strengthening Your Blended Family” by Ron L. Deal
8. “Stepmonster: A New Look at Why Real Stepmothers Think, Feel, and Act the Way We Do” by Wednesday Martin
9. “The Happy Stepmother: Stay Sane, Empower Yourself, Thrive in Your New Family” by Rachelle Katz
Managing Emotions:
10. “Emotional Intensity in Gifted Students: Helping Kids Cope with Explosive Feelings” by Christine Fonseca
11. “The Whole-Brain Child: 12 Revolutionary Strategies to Nurture Your Child’s Developing Mind” by Daniel J. Siegel and Tina Payne Bryson
12. “How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk” by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish
13. “Raising an Emotionally Intelligent Child: The Heart of Parenting” by John Gottman and Joan DeClaire
14. “Siblings Without Rivalry: How to Help Your Children Live Together So You Can Live Too” by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish
Co-Parenting After Loss:
15. “The Grief Recovery Handbook for Pet Loss” by Russell Friedman and John W. James
16. “The Grief Recovery Handbook: The Action Program for Moving Beyond Death, Divorce, and Other Losses” by John W. James and Russell Friedman
17. “The Co-Parenting After Divorce Survival Guide” by Judith Ruskay Rabinor
18. “The Co-Parenting Toolkit: The Essential Supplement to Mom’s House, Dad’s House” by Isolina Ricci
Co-Parenting and Special Needs:

The Top 45 Parenting Books for Navigating the Challenges of Co-parenting
19. “Parenting Children with ADHD: 10 Lessons That Medicine Cannot Teach” by Vincent J. Monastra
20. “The Explosive Child: A New Approach for Understanding and Parenting Easily Frustrated, Chronically Inflexible Children” by Ross W. Greene
21. “Parenting a Child with Asperger Syndrome: 200 Tips and Strategies” by Brenda Boyd
22. “Raising Resilient Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Strategies for Maximizing Their Strengths, Coping with Adversity, and Developing a Social Mindset” by Robert Brooks and Sam Goldstein
23. “Parenting Your Asperger Child: Individualized Solutions for Teaching Your Child Practical Skills” by Alan Sohn and Cathy Grayson
Co-Parenting and Teenagers:
24. “The Teenage Brain: A Neuroscientist’s Survival Guide to Raising Adolescents and Young Adults” by Frances E. Jensen and Amy Ellis Nutt
25. “Parenting the Strong-Willed Child: The Clinically Proven Five-Week Program for Parents of Two- to Six-Year-Olds, Third Edition” by Rex Forehand and Nicholas Long
26. “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens” by Sean Covey
27. “The Drama Years: Real Girls Talk About Surviving Middle School — Bullies, Brands, Body Image, and More” by Haley Kilpatrick and Whitney Joiner
Co-Parenting and LGBTQ+:
28. “The Ultimate Guide for Gay Dads: Everything You Need to Know About LGBTQ Parenting But Are (Mostly) Afraid to Ask” by Eric Rosswood
29. “Gay Dads: A Celebration of Fatherhood” by David Strah
30. “Parenting Beyond Pink & Blue: How to Raise Your Kids Free of Gender Stereotypes” by Christia Spears Brown
31. “The Transgender Child: A Handbook for Families and Professionals” by Stephanie A. Brill and Rachel Pepper
32. “Love Makes a Family: Portraits of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Parents and Their Families” by Peggy Gillespie and Gigi Kaeser
Co-Parenting and Multiracial Families:
33. “Raising Multiracial Children: Tools for Nurturing Identity in a Racialized World” by Farzana Nayani
34. “Mixed: An Anthology of Short Fiction on the Multiracial Experience” edited by Chandra Prasad
35. “The Interracial Adoption Option: Creating a Family Across Race” by Marlene G. Fine and Fern L. Johnson
36. “Parenting Without Borders: Surprising Lessons Parents Around the World Can Teach Us” by Christine Gross-Loh
Co-Parenting and Special Circumstances:
37. “Parenting the Custodial Grandchild: Implications for Clinical Practice” by Bert Hayslip Jr. and Gregory C. Smith
38. “Raising Your Spirited Child: A Guide for Parents Whose Child Is More Intense, Sensitive, Perceptive, Persistent, and Energetic” by Mary Sheedy Kurcinka
39. “The Soul of Discipline: The Simplicity Parenting Approach to Warm, Firm, and Calm Guidance — From Toddlers to Teens” by Kim John Payne and Lisa M. Ross
40. “The Conscious Parent: Transforming Ourselves, Empowering Our Children” by Shefali Tsabary
41. “The Explosive Child: A New Approach for Understanding and Parenting Easily Frustrated, Chronically Inflexible Children” by Ross W. Greene
Self-Help and Personal Development:
42. “Co-Parenting With a Narcissist: A Guidebook for All Relationships” by Angela Atkinson
43. “Co-Parenting 101: Helping Your Kids Thrive in Two Households After Divorce” by Deesha Philyaw and Michael D. Thomas
44. “Co-Parenting After Divorce: How to Raise Happy, Healthy Children in Two-Home Families” by Diana Mercer and Katie Jane Wennechuk
45. “Co-Parenting Through Separation and Divorce: Putting Your Children First” by Deborah T. Hackman and Karen L. Kristjanson
Conclusion:
Co-parenting can be a difficult journey, but with the right resources, it is possible to create a successful co-parenting relationship for the benefit of the children involved. These top 45 parenting books for co-parenting offer valuable insights, tips, and strategies for navigating the complexities of co-parenting and creating a healthy and positive environment for children. Whether you are just starting your co-parenting journey or looking for ways to improve your current situation, these books are a valuable resource for any co-parent.
