In second place is a book called "Joint Custody With a Jerk."

One point: the title is misleading; I don't think it's great to think of your ex as a "jerk"; that's maintaining negativity; I think it's better to think of one's self as having been shortsighted, learn from that, and move on.

This book I hear makes one good point though: don't think you can change your ex. That's why you're divorced: you're not listening to each other anymore. A key point for any single parent to understand.

As for tips: regardless of money or space, kids pretty dependably gravitate to the happier parent. Make yourself happy and you can win respect by example and don't have to worry about villifying your ex to make yourself the more influential parent. If the kid happens to have two separated but very happy parents--the kid's going to be happy too, which is what counts most.

jps