Separation, fatherhood and major life change can leave you with a lot to process.
Sometimes the right book, podcast or conversation can help you understand what you’re experiencing, see things from a different perspective, or simply realise you’re not the only one going through it.
Below are some resources I think are particularly useful for dads navigating separation, parenting, relationships, wellbeing and rebuilding life.
Books for Separation & Moving Forward
Men and Separation: Navigating the Future
A practical guide from Relationships Australia for men going through separation or divorce.
It covers the emotional impact of separation, looking after your wellbeing, staying connected with your children, dealing with your former partner and understanding some of the practical and legal challenges that can arise.
Good for:
Dads who are newly separated and want a straightforward overview of what may lie ahead.
Read Men and Separation →
Rebuilding: When Your Relationship Ends
Bruce Fisher & Robert Alberti
A long-established book about rebuilding life after the end of a significant relationship.
It explores grief, identity, loneliness, anger, self-worth, relationships and gradually creating a new life after separation. It is also included among the resources recommended in MensLine Australia's current Men and Separation guide.
Good for:
Anyone trying to make sense of who they are and what comes next after a relationship ends.
Find Rebuilding →
Books for Co-Parenting
Mom’s House, Dad’s House
Isolina Ricci
A practical guide to raising children across two homes after separation or divorce.
It focuses on creating stability for children, reducing conflict and establishing a workable co-parenting relationship. It remains among the books recommended in MensLine Australia's separation resources.
Good for:
Parents trying to create two stable homes and keep their children out of adult conflict.
Find Mom’s House, Dad’s House →
BIFF for Co-Parent Communication
Bill Eddy, Annette Burns & Kevin Chafin
BIFF stands for Brief, Informative, Friendly and Firm.
The approach is designed to help parents communicate more effectively when texts, emails or conversations with a former partner easily become tense or conflictual. MensLine Australia includes the book among its recommended separation resources.
Good for:
Anyone finding communication with a former partner stressful, reactive or exhausting.
Find BIFF for Co-Parent Communication →
The Child-Healthy Divorce
Erica Komisar
A newer book focused specifically on protecting children's emotional and mental wellbeing through separation.
It looks at how parental decisions and conflict can affect children and encourages parents to approach separation through a child-centred lens.
Good for:
Dads asking, “How do I help my kids get through this as well as possible?”
Find The Child-Healthy Divorce →
Books About Fatherhood
Dad Brain
Darby Saxbe
Clinical psychologist and researcher Darby Saxbe explores what happens to men's brains, bodies and identities when they become fathers.
It draws on research into the neurological and hormonal changes associated with fatherhood and examines how becoming a dad can affect relationships, health and behaviour.
Good for:
Dads interested in understanding how deeply fatherhood can change us.
Find Dad Brain →
The Tired Dad
Jon Gustin
A collection of short reflections about the realities of fatherhood and continuing to show up for the people and things that matter.
Because the reflections are short, it may particularly suit dads who don't have the energy or time for a long self-development book.
Good for:
Busy or exhausted dads who want something encouraging and easy to dip into.
Find The Tired Dad →
Podcasts & Conversations
You don't always need another book.
Sometimes hearing someone talk openly about separation, fatherhood, mental health or rebuilding life can be easier — particularly when you're walking, driving or simply need something to listen to.
MensLine Australia
MensLine Australia produces information and conversations about issues affecting men, including relationships, separation, parenting, loneliness and mental wellbeing.
Their wider resources are particularly relevant to men trying to understand what they're experiencing after a relationship breakdown.
Good for:
Practical, male-focused conversations about relationships and wellbeing.
Explore MensLine Resources →
The Divorce Podcast
The Divorce Podcast explores the emotional and practical realities of separation.
One particularly relevant episode for dads is “Divorcing Dads: Why Separation Hits Men Hard – and How to Help,” featuring psychologist Dr Eran Magen. It discusses isolation after separation, men's mental health and the importance of maintaining supportive relationships.
Good for:
Dads wanting to hear separation discussed openly from a male mental-health perspective.
Listen to The Divorce Podcast →
Where Should I Start?
You definitely don't need to work your way through everything on this page.
Choose the resource that matches what you're dealing with right now.
If you're newly separated:
Start with Men and Separation.
If you're worried about your kids:
Try The Child-Healthy Divorce or Mom’s House, Dad’s House.
If communication with your ex is consuming you:
Try BIFF for Co-Parent Communication.
If you're trying to rebuild your own life:
Try Rebuilding.
And if you're exhausted and don't have the headspace for a book:
Start with a podcast or audiobook instead.
Take What Helps
Books and podcasts can provide ideas, perspective and reassurance, but none of us experiences separation or fatherhood in exactly the same way.
You don't have to agree with everything you read or listen to.
Take the ideas that are useful, leave the ones that aren't, and remember that sometimes the most important thing isn't finding another answer — it's working out what actually matters for you and your family.
If you'd like some support making sense of where you are, what you want next and the practical steps that could help you move forward, we can talk.
Button: Book a Free Connection Call
A Note About These Resources
These books, podcasts and organisations are independent of The Steady Human. They are included because they may be useful, not because The Steady Human endorses every opinion or recommendation they contain.
Resources and availability can change over time.
One thing I’d also do visually: don’t put purchase buttons everywhere. Use the same simple text-link approach you just adopted on the support pages:
Find Rebuilding →
Listen to The Divorce Podcast →