Helping Your Child Through Divorce

Divorce is a difficult process for all those involved, and it is particularly hard on children. This book explains how you can create a safe, nurturing environment for your children so they can recover from the trauma of your divorce—and go on to heal and thrive.

Dr. Bienenfeld outlines three key parenting principles:

1. Provide your children with an environment in which they can feel loved by both parents.
2. Help your child feel good about themselves.
3. Be a model of the values and basic skills your children need to achieve healthy independence.

She encourages parents to make the important transition from former marriage partners to ongoing parent partners, and gives helpful guidelines for ways to deal with hurt, anger, and difficult situations. She also advocates using mediation to avoid bitter and costly lawsuits, and includes examples of constructive agreements and lists of mediators and helping organizations in the United States.

The drawings in this book were made by children of divorcing parents. They clearly illustrate the children's frustration, anger, and pain at the breakup of their families. Dr. Bienenfeld uses the pictures as a way to open parents' eyes to their children's needs.