The best books on how to be a single mom and stay sane

No matter how young or old, everyone needs a timeless picture book about the best of hearth and home. The illustrations by Mike Wimmer are breathtaking and inviting. Patricia MacLachlan’s carefully chosen words reflect the relationship glue that creates connecting and belonging within families. No matter how old you are, All the Places to Love is a touch point for the heart.

A spunky and accomplished businesswoman and author, Kate White carved her own highly successful career and provides a practical and proven how-to for women to follow. Women wear many hats simultaneously (Think Seuss’ Ten Apples Up On Top) and Kate gives witty, wise, straight-talk for moms on how to balance parenting and craft a career you enjoy. You have talents and potential, I Shouldn’t Be Telling You This is step-by-step guidance to hone your abilities and navigate challenges. These are essential tips from the gutsy innovator who helped increase Cosmopolitan Magazine's circulation by half a million copies per month.

Vulnerability is synonymous with courage. Rather than running from, stuffing, or numbing our experiences, those accompanying emotions of fear, disappointment, and grief are foundational for love, belonging, creativity, empathy, innovation, and joy. The key to being whole is finding peace and value in the painful, ugly, and less-than-perfect areas of ourselves. Healthy people create healthy homes, businesses, neighborhoods, and nations. Courageous vulnerability is the door to lives of purpose and meaning. Daring Greatly is a deep dive into embracing our authentic selves and building genuine community. And, okay, anything by Brené Brown is worth the investment of time and money.

Serenity is found in simple, clean living spaces for you and your family. Decluttering is the secret ingredient of a peaceful home. Mari Kondo outlines a category-by-category system that brings lasting results. With a comfortable calendar, welcoming living spaces, and gentle words, our homes become a haven where family and friends gather for rest and refreshment, to connect and belong. This little book is a tool to help craft a soul-nurturing environment. The result is the opportunity to do more of what you enjoy with those you love like listening with your child to the Hank the Cowdog audio series by John Erickson, and The Water Keeper by Charles Martin for yourself.

The Chosen book is good, and Jerry Jenkins’ many titles including the blockbuster Left Behind series are worth reading, but this is a backdoor to the multi-season film series, The Chosen by Jerry’s son, Dallas Jenkins. Life doesn't turn out as we imagined, and when much that is precious has been marred, your tender heart longs to honor the holy and sacred. To know that God sees you, loves you and your child unconditionally, and never forsakes you. The Chosen is heart-mending, faith-building, and life-changing. Download the free app on your phone for the world's largest crowd-funded project, and enjoy The Chosen over and over. Family-friendly.