There are good books written to and for parents advising them on court proceedings and how-to regarding child custody in a divorce. There are also a few books written to parents focusing on issues kids face during the process. However few books are written by kids to kids experience their parents’ divorce. “Divorce is Not the End of the World,” is a resource written by teens for tweens and teens whose parents are engaged in this life changing course. Finally, what really makes this book unique is the kids share additional perspective in their revised reflection section ten years later.
This 102 page quick read is organized into 20 chapters addressing questions and feelings that kids ask themselves when their parents inform them of an impending divorce. A few examples of issues and chapters:
• Why Did this Have to Happen?
• Maybe They’ll Get Back Together
• It’s Not Your Fault
• Nobody Asked My Opinion
• Quit Putting Me in the Middle
• I Wish We were a Normal Family
• Where I’d Rather Live
• You’re Not My Father/Mother
• I Don’t Want Another Sister
The short three to four page chapters are written for the six to 15 year old child, starts with a running dialog from the two, then children authors. Zoe is the 15 year old girl who starts with, “I wrote this book because I’ve been through divorce and will always be a ‘divorced kid.’ I know that it’s really hard and it hurts. I hope this book will help any and all kids who are hurting or in need of some comforting and advice.” Next we hear from her 13 year old brother, Evan. “It’s obvious that divorce is hard—you have to let it sink in and cry and talk to your parents. It may not feel good, like a shot doesn’t feel good but does your body good.”
Next we are presented with a short typed letter from a teen who is asking Zoe a question or an issue. Zoe responses with a written note of personal advice. Evan then chimes in with four or five simple “Quick Tips.” Followed by Zoe or Evan giving a reflection paragraph of how they now feel about the topic ten years later. (The best part of the book, in my opinion.) Finally, Ellen Sue, their mother, gives a very brief parental insight on the issue. The chapter ends with a “Your Turn” section providing questions the authors want the readers to consider and a parting closing statement.
Divorce is Not the End of the World, can facilitate divorcing parents with open dialog suggestions for their children to address unasked questions or feelings they may have during and after your divorce. This book can also serve as a standalone resource to be read or given to children or grandchildren experience a divorce. Remember… Divorce is Not the End of the World.
What resources do you recommend specifically for children going through divorce?
Fred Campos is father to three and primary custodian to his daughter Caitlyn from a previous relationship. Image courtesy of Amazon and the author.
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