Best Self-Help Books for Family Problems

No family is perfect; it’s normal for siblings to fight and parents to argue. It’s also not out-of-the-ordinary for parents and children to have conflicts. However, some households take drama to the next level or have toxic dynamics going on. Here are some of the best self-help books on Kindle to read when you’re trying to work through family problems and drama.

Going Home without Going Crazy: How to Get Along with Your Parents & Family (Even When They Push Your Buttons)

By Andrea Medea

Do you dread coming home on holidays and spending time with your folks? You’re sure that the joy of meeting your family will only last a bit, replaced by petty squabbles and critical words that make you feel like you are being judged. Well, here’s one answer to your predicament: read this self-help book to learn how to manage conflict and work toward resolution. This humorous book has all the right strategies in place. These include tips on dealing with resentment and connecting more with family members.

Codependent No More: How to Stop Controlling Others and Start Caring for Yourself

By Melody Beattie

It’s easy to lose sight of yourself if you’ve been living with an addict – be it your dad, spouse, or sibling. Most times, you blame yourself for all that is happening, including the crazy aftermath of your loved one’s codependency. You may also find yourself adapting some of their conduct, like the controlling actions you do to keep their toxic habits in check. When you are open understanding and changing your behavior, pick up Beattie’s self-help book. It’s a great guide to unlearning all the negative habits, focusing on yourself, and letting go of things you can’t control.

Nasty People

By Jay Carter, Psy.d.

Ever found yourself in a helpless situation where your abusive family gangs up on you? Do they relish the fact that they’re hurting you and bringing down your self-esteem? You may want to turn the tables on them and take the reigns of your own life. In Carter’s self-help book, you learn the ropes on how to get the upper hand against dysfunctional people that live to tear you down. Know the hows and whys of an invalidator’s behavior and watch as you gain control of your emotions for the better.

Whole Again: Healing Your Heart and Rediscovering Your True Self After Toxic Relationships and Emotional Abuse

By Jackson MacKenzie

Toxic households steal a lot from their children and may even leave them feeling shattered, broken, and alone. No one will blame you if you’re eager to get out of your family home and escape all the drama they have caused. If you’ve found the courage to finally step out of their shadows, you may need this particular self-help book as a companion. Not only will this heal years of trauma and make you feel whole once more. You can discover your true self and enjoy reading again, with each word a salve to your healing heart.

When Parents Disagree and What You Can Do About It

By Ron Taffel

In most scenarios, disagreements and fights between parents can have an impact on kids. Even more so if one parent leans towards tough love and the other into more modern parenting. If child-rearing differences are the root cause of conflict, you may want to sit down and read this particular self-help book with your spouse. This might just be the eye-opener for couples that needed a push towards the right approach. It’s also a reminder that it’s not a wife vs. husband problem; they’re on the same side dealing with the same problem.

The Family Crucible

By Augustus Napier and Carl Whitaker

There are plenty of reasons to be a book lover, one of which is finding the exact solution you need to tackle your daily reality. Dealing with a troubled spouse, an angry child, or feeling unsettled with the day-to-day dynamics within your family? You may want to turn to this self-help book for advice and fresh insights to approach your situation. The authors perfectly describe common family patterns you may be familiar with, such as polarization, scapegoating, and lack of autonomy. They also showed a family systems approach to solving conflict and urged households to confront their own issues head-on.

Adult Children: The Secrets of Dysfunctional Families

By John and Linda Friel

If you’re no stranger to alcoholism, drama, and emotional abuse, chances are, you’re still dealing with the aftereffects of a dysfunctional household. It’s not easy growing up in chaos, but what’s important is that you won’t ever let this defeat you. The Friels’ self-help book may help you to handle these tough family situations. They combine theory and clinical practice, which will help you process what happened in the past and see it from another perspective. Who knows? You may even find it in you to give a few encouraging words to a family member in jail after you’re done reading.

No doubt it’s hard to heal and function if you’ve spent years of your life in a problematic household. Some are ready to look forward to the future and let go of their roots. Others want to mend their family relationships and start over with a clean slate. No matter which of these you are, sometimes the wisdom of self-help books can help with your situation.