Support Your Child Through Divorce
It’s Never Your Fault is Michelle’s first (of many) children’s books about divorce. The book was published on October 19, 2025.
When parents separate or divorce, children often carry a quiet, heavy question…“Is this because of me?”
It’s Never Your Fault is a comforting, honest children’s book written from the perspective of a child who has lived through divorce. It helps kids understand—clearly and gently—that divorce is a grown-up decision and never the child’s fault.
Through realistic storytelling and warm, calming illustrations, this book walks children through the real-life changes they experience when families separate: moving homes, switching routines, feeling caught in the middle, hearing difficult conversations, and managing big emotions they don’t yet have words for.
This is not just a story—it’s a tool for healing.
Children are given:
- Language to express sadness, anger, confusion, and fear
- Reassurance that loving both parents is okay
- Simple ways to speak up when something feels wrong
- Comfort in knowing that love doesn’t disappear when families change
Parents, therapists, and educators describe this book as a powerful way to start difficult conversations—without overwhelming children or minimizing their feelings.
- Children ages 6–11 experiencing separation or divorce
- Parents looking for a gentle, age-appropriate way to support their child
- Therapists, counselors, teachers, and social workers
Warm, validating, and hopeful, It’s Never Your Fault reminds children of one essential truth… They are loved. They are not to blame. And they will be okay.
Reviews from Family Lawyers
Last week I picked up a copy of Michelle Smith’s “It’s Never Your Fault: A Kid’s Divorce Survival Guide.”
Last week I picked up a copy of Michelle Smith’s “It’s Never Your Fault: A Kid’s Divorce Survival Guide.” I was really impressed with her approach to talking through the many challenges, changes and issues kids face while experiencing their parents’ separation. This will be added to our client library providing resources to help them through what is often the worst thing they have ever gone through. But more than a guide for kids, reading through the book, it dawned on me how helpful it would be for the parents to read the book before giving it to their children. It would provide them with awareness and reminders of the things their kids are going through and help them put their focus where it should be: on the kids! The line “asking for help is being strong, it’s not a weakness” was something I think everyone experiencing such a significant change could benefit from, not just the kids. Thanks to Michelle for reaching out to me and developing such an incredible resource!
– Beau Atkins - Family Law Lawyer
I read the book and think it's great.
I'm confident it would connect with a child going through that experience.
– Richard Levitt, LLB, TEP
Reviews From Canada
The message is simple but deeply powerful
The message is simple but deeply powerful: it’s never a child’s fault when parents separate. Through gentle storytelling and beautiful illustrations, the book helps kids see that their feelings are valid, that love doesn’t disappear just because families change, and that it’s okay to reach out for support from other caring adults when things feel hard.
Very Insightful
“Excellent book for any child experiencing a separation. It’s easy to understand but speaks to older children as well. It touches on their feelings, the situations that they will encounter – and how to handle it, as well as focuses on the positives.”
Reviews from USA
Great resource for Parents / Grandparents to help children understand
“This book is an excellent tool for parents who are divorcing or even grandparents whose grandchildren are faced with their parents’ divorce. Divorce is never easy on anyone, but all too often kids are overlooked until they’re in a therapist’s office to deal with emotions, and by then damage has been done. It’s Never Your Fault: A Kid’s Divorce Survival Guide, really provides insight and understanding for kids during an otherwise very confusing, often isolating period. This book is an excellent guide for adults (parents, grandparents, aunts/uncles, etc.) to help kids process emotions and gain clear understanding of what’s happening at home in a healthy and safe way.”
Helpful, Comforting, and Age-Appropriate
“This book does a beautiful job giving kids language for feelings they often don’t know how to express during divorce. It’s gentle, validating, and emphasizes that kids are not to blame—something many children deeply need to hear. I especially appreciated the focus on feeling scared or confused and having support from adults and therapists. The examples about new partners and life changes may feel idealized, but overall this is a warm, reassuring guide that helps children feel seen and supported.”
Review from the UK
A helpful resource for parents, therapists, and teachers
“Discussing separation or divorce with children can be one of the hardest conversations a parent or caregiver faces. It’s Never Your Fault approaches this delicate topic with compassion, honesty, and hope. The book discusses separation, stepparents, and the emotional ups and downs that come with shifting family dynamics. Its warm, expressive illustrations and age-appropriate language make complex feelings easier for children to understand and encourages children to express their feelings, helping them to feel safe, seen, and supported during a challenging time.”
Review from Italy
The book I wanted when my parents separated
“I read it with my 8-year-old son, one page a day. It was good for him to hear, repeated in simple words, that it’s not his fault. The daily scenes (the suitcase, the two houses, the jealousy for his parent’s new partner) are realistic and have helped him talk about things he had inside until now. The page in the diary is beautiful: we started a notebook “only his” and I can already see that he uses it to vent. Only note: in 2—3 passages, language is a “young” thread for 11-year-olds, but it can be solved by reading together and having a chat. Warm, respectful, helpful.”
Review from India
Must read for kids
“A poignant picture book in the perspective of kids facing divorce of parents. This will be good if all parents undergoing the process of divorce to read such a book to kids. Kids should know that parental divorce is not their fault. Also parents should teach their kids not to bully kids in a separated house.”