Whether you are already an avid reader or just starting out, the easiest book to read is one that resonates with you. Each of these picks are curated for single moms, and if you are interested in self-care you might just find your next source of inspiration.
Show Your Work: 10 Ways to Share Your Creativity and Get Discovered
Austin Kleon
In this book, Kleon shares ways to approach your creative process that aid the development of your work as well as the expanses your content can reach. Sharing with others benefits your creative process, and creating more content supports your platform that you share it on. If you are interested in either of these things, Kleon’s advice is an insightful display of both.
Why it’s great for single moms: Perfect for both the creative mom and the business-savvy mom. Parenting is a creative process of its own, but if you are looking to transfer these skills to a business (like we suggest here) or a creative endeavor, this book could help you streamline that process.
This Time You Return to Yourself
Duduzile Noeleen Ngwenya
This Time You Return to Yourself is a collection of short poems. In this work, Ngwenya dives into ideas about worthiness, caring for your inner child, and appreciating the present moment.
Why it’s great for single moms: This collection is perfect for any mom seeking reaffirmation about your value and finding peace, even as life continues to throw challenges your way. While not specifically about motherhood, each part of the collection hits on many common feelings that mothers experience, such as desiring to care for oneself and recovery from wounds of the past. With lines like “I hope that you don’t just survive, rather, I hope that you live,” each poem feels like a warm hug.
The Power of a Praying Parent
Stormie Omartian
This book offers a powerful guide for parents, including single moms, who seek to deepen their connection with their faith and strengthen their relationship with their children through prayer. Stormie Omartian provides insights, personal stories, and specific prayers tailored to various aspects of parenting, covering topics such as wisdom, protection, guidance, and the development of character. With its emphasis on the transformative power of prayer, “The Power of a Praying Parent” can serve as a source of comfort, guidance, and spiritual support for single moms navigating the joys and challenges of raising children on their own.
Introduction to Internal Family Systems
Richard C. Schwartz
Do the different aspects of your personality ever feel like they’re pulling you in completely different directions? As a trivial example, let’s say you spill orange juice all over your floor one morning. Part of you is upset and worried about your entire day getting thrown off as you detour to clean up. Another part of you chimes in to tell you that this shouldn’t be a big deal, and that you’re overreacting. Still another part of you just wishes you could ignore it and move on altogether, pretending that nothing even happened. Each inner voice in your mind is equally convinced that it’s right.
While this may not be how you react to spilled OJ, there is certainly some issue that you feel “of two minds,” or even three or four or five minds about. Internal family systems, and this book, involve learning about those “minds,” and using that understanding to care for yourself or even change your habits.
Why it’s great for single moms: If you ever find yourself hitting a roadblock with managing your emotions, navigating relationships, feeling triggered by your kids, or simply getting repeating old patterns, this book may reach deeper than some of the advice you’ve received before. Most of the book’s exercises are self-led, and you can try it out and see what resonates with you before navigating the hurdles of formal therapy.
A Single Mom’s Guide to Raising Black (Gentle)Men
Sanya Simmons
This book is a comprehensive guide for single moms, especially those with Black sons. Simmons answers all of the questions she once had, and provides the key information that she wishes she had known as she was raising her sons.
Whether it’s about your son developing social skills, facing stereotypes, becoming independent, working through failure, or finding purpose in life – or your own navigation through your role in teaching masculinity, working with the school system, or dating – Simmons offers understanding and concrete advice about it all. Overall, you learn how she equipped her sons to grow confidently into who they are.
Why it’s great for single moms: True to Simmon’s goal, this book provides exactly what you are looking to know along your journey. You can easily find answers to many of the most important or complicated aspects of parenting, as well as how to approach them as a solo parent, shared in a way that is both conversational and deep. For those who feel unsure or want guidance in any of these areas of parenting (and who doesn’t?), this book could be a wonderful read.
The Three of Us: A Brutally Honest, Often Hilarious, and Sometimes Heartbreaking Memoir of One Mom’s Adventures in Single Parenting (The Single Mom Series)
Summerlin Conner
The Three of Us is Conner’s humorous take on her journey through single motherhood. Through both her struggles and triumphs, she has a laugh about it all, but she also doesn’t shy away from straightforward discussion of feelings of inadequacy or surprise life events (such as car breakdowns or home foreclosure) that come up.
Why it’s great for single moms: This book is a candid look into many elements of single parenting. Particularly if you are a single parent who has gone through divorce or is currently co-parenting, this book touches on experiences that are relatable but not always acknowledged. While almost every mom has experienced mom guilt or jealousy, Conner offers an opportunity to share in understanding of the ways that they affect single moms in particular..
Peace is Every Breath: A Practice for Our Busy Lives
Thích Nhất Hạnh
Written by the “Father of Mindfulness” himself, this book contains invaluable advice for practicing mindfulness and living in the present. The chapters cover mindful ways to experience routine tasks, such as waking up or brushing your teeth, as well as other spiritual ideas such as fostering a deep compassion for others. Overall, if you’re interested in mindfulness practices, feeling grounded in the current moment, understanding others, or discussion of existence, this book is for you.
Why it’s great for single moms: Nhất Hạnh’s book is geared toward everyday life. Not only is it possible to implement into a busy schedule, but as the title indicates, this book is meant exactly for anyone run ragged. Other than reading the book itself, there is no need to block out huge chunks of time or uproot your schedule to start Nhất Hạnh mindfulness practice. Additionally, each chapter is only a page or two long. You can read one chapter that applies to you, implement that knowledge, and still gain tremendous value from this book.
In conclusion, finding the right book tailored to your interests and needs can be a transformative experience, particularly for single moms seeking inspiration and self-care. Each selection offers unique insights and guidance, whether it’s nurturing creativity, exploring inner peace, understanding complex emotions, or navigating the challenges of single parenthood. By resonating with the themes and advice presented in these books, single moms can find solace, empowerment, and practical strategies to thrive in their journey of motherhood.
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