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The Boys And Girls Book About Divorce: For Children And Their Divorced Parents--The Essential Book
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Should Your Parents Be Married Even If They're Unhappy With Each Other?If your parents fuss at you does it mean they don't love you? How can you tell if your father loves you, if he lives in another city? Are you "bad" when you get angry with your mother or father? Why is it a mistake  to talk to one parent about another? Do you blame yourself for your parents' divorce?This warm and honest book provides reassuring answers to these and many more crucial questions children ask about divorce.

Paperback: 192 pages

Publisher: Bantam; Reprint edition (May 1, 1985)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0553276190

ISBN-13: 978-0553276190

Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 0.4 x 6.9 inches

Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)

Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (28 customer reviews)

Best Sellers Rank: #105,087 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #72 in Books > Children's Books > Growing Up & Facts of Life > Family Life > Marriage & Divorce #167 in Books > Parenting & Relationships > Family Relationships > Divorce #189 in Books > Self-Help > Relationships > Conflict Management

Age Range: 9 - 12 years

Grade Level: 4 - 7

This book is fantastically un-PC; so much that it verges on shocking. Those who want some bland and reassuring pap for their nearest/dearest child of divorce should look elsewhere.I know nothing of the author biographically, but I can tell he's seen a lot of unhappy children. He's seen them lied to by adults whose intentions spanned the gamut of good and bad, and seen that misdirection and ephemism hurt children more than directness ever could. In other words, Gardner respects children and understands their need for plain talk. This book advocates for them.Parents may be offended. But divorces occur more often where fundamental tenets of healthy relationships aren't respected, and things we rarely talk about are done to kids as a matter of course. Kids get used as adult-companionship substitutes. Kids get used as weapons against the Ex, or meal tickets. Parents drift off after the divorce and never drift back again. Parents fawn and drool on birthdays or Christmas and fail to call the rest of the year. To Gardner, this suggests a parent who does not love their child. What does it suggest to you?The current vogue is pad all this over and "be reassuring," but Gardner prefers to let them in on the truth -- believing truth is something even children can eventually come to terms with.

I noticed this book because of my own miserable childhood.No adult would like to tell me the truth about my parient's divorce even themselves.There were so many questions in my mind.I have wasted so many time to adjust it. The teachers never taught you how to deal with a divorced family and a sad father. There was no book about it. So, we are helpless.When I saw this book,I felt so amazingly. This was a book written for us and truely helped us.

I read the book 16 years ago and it influenced me to becomea psychologist. I even mentioned the book and Dr. Gardnerin my application essay for graduate school. The book waseasy to understand as a child and I still recommend the bookto my children-patients. I highly recommend the book toparents and children who are dealing with divorce issues.The book also contains great illustrations. No book has hadgreater influence on my life and career

The negative reviewers are in denial and, although they believe they are doing the right thing by not being honest with their kids or themselves, they are hurting their kids and probably screwing them up for life so they too can repeat the mistakes of their parents and continue the cycle.The chapter about what love is and how to recognize it is invaluable. It does NO good to teach a child that neglect, disinterest and selfishness is love because it is not.The sad fact is that some parents do not love their children or love them very much. Face it and deal with it - adults and children alike. If you teach your kid that "not-love" is love then you're not giving your kid the skills to find and recognize Real Love.Apparently, many negatives reviewers had a fit when they read the chapter about how to recognize love and they didn't continue reading how to help your child cope when their parent has little or no love for them. Maybe, as I did, they had to face facts that their own estranged spouse and/or a parent of theirs also did not love nor love them enough.This book also addresses the fears that children have and denying that they have those fears is easier on the parent, but certainly not helpful to a child who is, well, childish and needs reassurance.If you love your children, really really love them - then buy this book. Read it first yourself then use the chapters that apply to your situation and know that even though truth hurts and facing fears is difficult - you're doing right by your children. Sugar-coating and running away from facts is harmful to you and to your kids. It's time to stop taking the short-term easy way out and get real.

An OLD FRIEND - having purchased dozens over the years for use with Children of Divorce workshops.Some parts are dated, but there is some good information here - especially parts about "when your mother talks about your father" and v.v.Very powerful when BOTH parents are willing to read with/to their children. Older children can read to younger - it is equally relevant to al ages, though appears more so to the younger set. A+

I respectfully disagree with the reviews from well-meaning adults regarding Gardner's candor. Divorce is not last place at the science fair. Divorce is a civil war where children are given a front-row seat to the ugly, forceful destruction of their family. While unconditional love may be helpful short-term, it doesn't address the guilt, distrust or hatred children may have that they don't understand and cannot voice.My parents put this book in my hands 25 years ago. To be sure, it contains stinging criticism of adult behavior that left my parents smarting, but it became a valuable tool for thoughtful conversation that restored confidence and trust. I still use its principals in adulthood.Do I agree with everything this book said? Nope. Did I find the book useful anyhow? Absolutely. I encourage you to read the book for yourself, then decide whether to share it with your children. Whatever you decide, I encourage you to do what it takes to help children of divorce learn to think critically about their experience.

The Boys and Girls Book About Divorce: For Children and Their Divorced Parents--The Essential Book Getting Through My Parents' Divorce: A Workbook for Children Coping with Divorce, Parental Alienation, and Loyalty Conflicts My Mom and Dad Don't Live Together Anymore: A Drawing Book for Children of Separated or Divorced Parents My Parents Still Love Me Even Though They're Getting Divorced (An Interactive Tale for Children) Parenting Apart: How Separated and Divorced Parents Can Raise Happy and Secure Kids Divorce and Beyond Participants (Divorce & Remarriage) Parenting After Divorce For The Single Daddy: The Best Guide To Helping Single Dads Deal With Parenting Challenges After A Divorce It's Not Your Fault, Koko Bear: A Read-Together Book for Parents and Young Children During Divorce (Lansky, Vicki) Clothes, Clothes, Clothes. Music, Music, Music. Boys, Boys, Boys.: A Memoir Clothes, Clothes, Clothes. Music, Music, Music. Boys, Boys, Boys. Dealing with Divorce Participant's Guide: Finding Direction When Your Parents Split Up Boys and Girls Learn Differently! A Guide for Teachers and Parents Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents: How to Heal from Distant, Rejecting, or Self-Involved Parents Putting Children First: Proven Parenting Strategies for Helping Children Thrive Through Divorce The Long-Distance Dad: How You Can Be There for Your Child-Whether Divorced, Deployed, or On-the road. A Road to Healing: Daily Reflections for Divorced Catholics Toddler Coloring Book. Numbers Colors Shapes: Baby Activity Book for Kids Age 1-3, Boys or Girls, for Their Fun Early Learning of First Easy Words ... (Preschool Prep Activity Learning) (Volume 1) Not For Parents Travel Book (Lonely Planet Not for Parents) Please Don't Tell My Parents I've Got Henchmen: Please Don't Tell My Parents Series, Book 3 Parents Who Killed Their Children: True stories of Filicidal Murder, Mental Health and Postpartum Psychosis (True Crime & History Book 1)