Resources:
Children & Divorce
Find Focus on the Family broadcasts, best-in-class books,
referral recommendations, and more.
101 Ways to Be a Long-Distance Super Dad … Or Mom, Too! by George Newman (not currently available through Focus on the Family)
Improve communication with your children through letters, phone calls, emails, vacations, hobbies, sporting events, games, bedtime stories, and more.
Children of Divorce: Helping Kids When Their Parents Are Apart by Debbie Barr (not currently available through Focus on the Family)
Barr speaks candidly about how children respond to divorce and the changes it imposes on their lives. But she also reveals how Christianity in action can make a difference by providing hope and healing.
Co-Parenting Works! by Tammy Daughtry
Daughtry shares strategies you and your former spouse can implement to help your children thrive—how to integrate stepparents into your co-parenting team.
Help! My Family’s Messed Up by Emily Parke Chase
This book offers guidance for teens living in troubled families or recovering from broken homes, abuse, and other traumas.
Helping Children Survive Divorce by Dr. Archibald D. Hart
Hart examines the effects of divorce on each person in the family, especially children. Topics include resentment, worry, self-esteem, depression, anger, guilt, rejection, and fear of abandonment.
In Their Shoes: Helping Parents Better Understand and Connect with Children of Divorce by Lauren Reitsema
While every stepparent/stepchild relationship is unique, there are many common themes that children experience as they adapt to their changing family. Lauren carefully explains these themes and brings out practical ideas that will help you cultivate authentic connections.
It’s Okay to Cry by H. Norman Wright
“A Parent’s Guide to Helping Children Through the Losses of Life”
Safe House: How Emotional Safety Is the Key to Raising Kids Who Live, Love, and Lead Well by Joshua Straub, PhD
Emotional safety — more than any other factor — is scientifically linked to raising kids who live, love, and lead well. Learn how to use emotional safety as a foundation from which you parent — and make a cultural impact that could change the world.
What Am I Feeling? by Dr. Josh and Christi Straub
In a world where kids are dealing with everything from sibling rivalry to bullying, divorce to tragedy, What Am I Feeling? offers a biblically grounded way for children to verbalize their feelings, develop empathy and self-control, and understand their wonderful God-given emotions.
What Do I Do with Anger? by Dr. Josh Straub and Christi Straub
Authors Dr. Josh and Christi Straub show how anger is a secondary emotion, covering up deeper feelings such as embarrassment, betrayal, grief, or fear. This relatable story offers practical and biblical wisdom for helping children manage their anger while uncovering the emotion behind it.
What Do I Do with Worry? by Dr. Josh Straub and Christi Straub
Josh and Christi Straub know that today’s children have a lot of real “what-ifs.” This book helps kids name their worries and give them to God.
What Children Need to Know When Parents Get Divorced by William Coleman (not currently available through Focus on the Family)
This book gives tender advice to children whose parents are going through or have gone through divorce. Each short reading speaks directly to a child’s feelings, fears, and questions.
When Happily Ever After Shatters by Sue Birdseye
“Seeing God in the Midst of Divorce and Single-Parenting”
Winning the Heart of Your Stepchild by Dr. Robert Barnes
In this hands-on guidebook for those faced with the challenge of blending families, Barnes addresses single-parent dating, adjustment problems in a blended family, disciplining as a team, and more.
Co-Parenting: Helping Your Child Thrive After Divorce (Ron Deal, Tammy Daughtry)
Digital download
Deal and Daughtry bring solid advice and insights into the world of the divorced parent who wants to help their children grow up in a healthy, loving environment – while cooperating as much as possible with the former spouse.
Creating a Safe Family Where Your Children Can Thrive (Dr. Joshua and Christi Straub)
Digital Download – Purchase a CD – Watch on YouTube Part 1 and Part 2
The Straubs describe practical ways parents can model emotional health for their kids, and the importance of asking for forgiveness when they, the parents, inevitably make mistakes. Josh also described his parents’ divorce and how that impacted his childhood and early adulthood.
Encouraging Your Kids to Discuss Their Feelings (Dr. Josh Straub)
Digital Download – Purchase a CD – Watch on YouTube
Dr. Josh Straub coaches parents on how to create a safe environment for effective communication with their children, especially when it comes to their feelings.
Helping Children Understand How They Feel (Dr. Josh Straub and Christi Straub)
Digital Download – Purchase a CD – Watch on YouTube
Josh and Christi Straub are passionate about helping young children and their parents identify and navigate their emotions.
Helping Kids Navigate Worry in Healthy Ways (Dr. Josh Straub and Christi Straub)
Digital Download – Purchase a CD – Watch on YouTube
You may think your child is acting out when, in fact, they are struggling with worry. Dr. Josh and Christi Straub describe how to help your young child identify their emotions and navigate fear in a healthy way.
Listening to the Heart of Your Kids (Becky Harling)
Digital Download – Purchase a CD – Watch on YouTube
From learning to give your kids a voice to the significance of non-verbal communication, you’ll see how listening is one of the most important aspects of parenting.
Staying Connected With Your Child After Divorce (Lauren Reitsema)
Digital download – Purchase a CD – Watch on YouTube
Lauren experienced divorce first-hand when her parents separated after almost 20 years of marriage. Drawing from her own experience, Lauren will help parents and stepparents uncover common points of grief and loss for children after divorce.
Surviving Divorce and Single Parenthood (Susan Birdseye)
Stream this program Part 1 and Part 2 – Digital download – Purchase a CD
After 17 years of marriage and 5 children, Susan’s husband chose to leave her for another woman. With transparency and grace, she describes the devastating effects of that choice on her and her children – and she shares of God’s unending mercies in the midst of heartache and uncertainty.
Adventures in Odyssey® Volume 7: On Thin Ice
Buy Digital Download – Purchase CD edition
The episode “Monty’s Christmas” explores the themes of the effects of divorce on children and the importance of strong families.
Adventures in Odyssey® Volume 10: Other Times, Other Places
Buy Digital Download – Purchase CD edition
The “Emotional Baggage” episode discusses the importance of not holding grudges after parents get divorced.
Adventures in Odyssey® Volume 14: Meanwhile, in Another Part of Town
Buy Digital Download – Purchase CD edition
Children of divorced parents often hope that their parents will remarry. The “Father’s Day” episode in this album helps a child in that situation face the reality that this may not occur.
Adventures in Odyssey® Volume 49: The Sky’s the Limit
Buy Digital Download – Purchase CD edition
In the episode “Life in the Third Person,” Mandy’s parents separate, and she tries to get away from her troubles but ends up in an accident. In the hospital, she shares her feelings with her parents, who decide to work on their relationship with God’s help.
Focus on the Family Counseling Consultation Line
If you need someone to talk to, Focus on the Family offers a free phone counseling consultation with a licensed or pastoral counselor. Call 1-855-771-HELP (4357), Monday through Friday, 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM (MT).
Focus on the Family’s Christian Counselor Network
Search for licensed Christian counselors in your area.
Center for Divorce Education
This group provides information and programs to educate the public about divorce, and they also offer direct support to families going through separation or divorce.
DivorceCare
As part of its outreach efforts to families, this organization also oversees DivorceCare for Kids, designed to help children move forward after their parents’ divorce.
HomeWord
Jim Burns and Azusa Pacific University partner to provide a wealth of information related to families, including topics related to children and divorce.
