10 of the Best Books all Single Moms Should Read

Inside: It can be challenging to find books for single moms where we don’t feel excluded reading. However, these books are great for single moms from parenting to prayer to your life in general.

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The book Challenge for single moms

Finding books to read as a single mom can be a challenge.

Most advice or family books are written for the traditional two-parent family. While this makes sense, as a single mother, I can’t read a whole parenting book, that gives advice at every turn on how to put each chapter to use with your spouse.

So instead, I’m left to scan the Table of Contents and make sure there’s only one chapter I’ll have to skip. No matter what, there always seems to be one chapter about marriage.

The WINNERS

However, the books below nail it. These books cover parenting to prayer to dating to life in general without having to wade through the marriage advice.

These aren’t strictly “books for single moms” but we don’t need our own genre so much as just not needing to feel excluded while reading.

Related: Top 13 Books To Read When Recovering From A Breakup

I read about 80 books a year so I can confidently say if you were to package up a stack of books to give someone newly on their single mom journey, these would be the books.

10 inspiring books every single mom should read

It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way

It’s Not Supposed to be This Way by Lysa Terkeurst is perfect for all single parents who often find themselves in situations they didn’t imagine for themselves.

The book follows Lysa’s journey through her husband’s betrayal and her cancer diagnosis and guides the reader through hurts and disappointments.

I think many of us can relate and say life isn’t “supposed to be this way” but now we have to ask where do we go from here. This book helps us answer that question.

Overwhelmed: The Life of a Single Mom 

Being a single mom is overwhelming, but Jennifer Maggio truly knows it. In Overwhelmed: The Life of a Single Mom, Jennifer tells her true story of being a single mom who overcame being a homeless teenage mother to a successful corporate executive.

The author continues her work to help others in the same situation she was in. Many churches use this book in their ministries.  

Love Life Again

I don’t know a little girl who grows up with a wish in her heart that she will be a single mom struggling to make ends meet and having to do it all on her own. I don’t know how you ended up in this place but I’m guessing there are times you don’t love your life. It’s probably not the life you dreamt of. And actually loving the life God called you to may not seem possible.

If that’s you, then I encourage you to read Love Life Again by Tracey Miles. You can be happy again. We have just one life and God has called us to this season we are in. He can meet us in it.

Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence

Jesus Calling by Sarah Young is the perfect morning devotional even if you only have 3 minutes in the morning.

Each morning you read a very short devotional but the amazing thing is it seems as if it was written exactly for your circumstances. 

This is one devotional I read over and over each year. 

Boundaries with Kids

Boundaries with Kids by Henry Cloud and John Townsend is the most highlighted book I own. If you have a strong-willed child, then this book is a must.

When I was struggling with defiance issues with my youngest as a newly single mom this book was my lifeline. I’ve since gone back to the principals in this book many times. I tried listening to it on audio and it didn’t have the same effect. It’s definitely one you will want to be able to mark up and read.

I found it so helpful I also bought the workbook when I felt like I was sliding in the some of the principals about a year later.

Crash the Chatterbox

Crash the Chatterbox by Steven Furtick walks you through the voices you hear in your head. Are you speaking God’s truth over your life or is the enemy tearing you down?

Most of us hear the enemy’s voice in one of these areas: insecurity, fear, condemnation, and discouragement.

Learn how to recognize God’s truth and crash the negative self-talk. 

God Loves Single Moms

Single moms often feel a disconnect at one time or another from God and the church. Feeling “less than” because we’re single moms is normal but it isn’t true. In God Loves Single Moms, single mom, and psychologist, Teresa Whitehurst reminds us God loves us.

The book provides practical advice on self-care, parenting, and leadership in the family for single moms that you won’t find in other parenting books.

You Are the Girl for the Job: Daring to Believe the God Who Calls You

You Are the Girl for the Job: Daring to Believe the God Who Calls You by Jess Connelly is part bible study and part empowering you to walk the life God has called you towards.

This book is the Godly answer to “Girl Wash Your Face.” “You Are the Girl for the Job” is the truth of God spoken into your life with his power behind and through you.

How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk

 I’ve included two parenting books on this list because parenting by yourself is just plain hard. How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk by Adele Faber & Elaine Mazlish is a book I wish I would’ve read when my children were younger. 

But the great thing about this book is the principals are sound. You can begin when your kids are toddlers or teenagers, and it will work.

Since the publication of this book, they’ve come out with others specifically for teenagers or younger kids, but the concept is the same for all, I would recommend the book above, regardless of your child’s age.

Boundaries in Dating: How Healthy Choices Grow Healthy Relationships

Another Boundaries book?

Yes because of the authors Henry Cloud and John Townsend. If you’ve read of their other books, you’ll quickly see why more than one was included in the list. 

As a single parent, whether you’re ready to date or not, read this book to set yourself with the best boundaries you can to avoid making future mistakes in relationships that now involve your children.

Your single mom book Recommendations

What books for single moms would make your Top 10 list? Let us know in the comments below!