The Guide for Separated Parents

I have received this message from one of my contacts at MATCH http://www.matchmothers.org/

If you did not read the first version of Nick and Karen Woodall's book originally published in 2007, I would advise getting hold of the updated version which has just been published. Chapter summaries are outlined below.

This is an extremely helpful, balanced, objective book covering major issues experienced by parents following family breakdown. This is a must read, particularly for all new parents whose relationship has just broken down and they wish to do the very best for their children in establishing new and positive co-parenting arrangements with their former partner.

Regards,
Lisa
www.jump-parenting.org.uk

The Guide for Separated Parents
Putting Your Children First
Karen & Nick Woodall (Piatkus 2009)

Children from separated families fare best when they have close relationships with both of their parents, and when their parents communicate and co operate. In this practical and reassuring guide, Karen and Nick Woodall draw on years of experience of helping separated parents resolve conflict over children that can arise during and after separation. They provide strategies and tools to help you communicate with your ex partner about every aspect of your children's lives.

Packed with case studies, The Guide for Separated Parents illustrates how separations affect families in different ways and shows you that, whatever you are going through, you are not alone.

Chapter One: All about you
Examines personal experiences from the point of view of the leaver and the left and offers tips on how to survive during the early days and as time moves on.

Chapter Two: Your relationship with your ex partner
Deals with the process of separation, common causes of conflict between separating parents and tips on how to avoid them or deal with them.

Chapter Three: Your children
Explores children's experiences of family separation, how boys and girls of different ages may react and ways to help them feel safe in a changing family environment.

Chapter Four: You and your children
Looks at parenting alone, from developing new parenting patterns to learning new parenting responsibilities and creating new routines for your children.

Chapter Five: Your Children and their other parent
Analyses how you can facilitate a good relationship between your children and their other parent, including how to communicate better and what to do if it all goes wrong.

Chapter Six: Your new separated family
Summarises the road ahead, looking at issues such as how to agree new parenting arrangements, agreeing shared parenting values and what to do about new partners.

Chapter Seven: Our final thoughts
Family separation is a process rather than an event. It can be painful and difficult but, through self reflection and a willingness to co operate, it is possible to build a post separation parenting relationship that is satisfying for you and ensures that your children will remain secure and grow to reach their full potential.

For more details see

http://separatedparents.wordpress.com/

Elaine Hanzak

www.hanzak.com