Customer Reviews

Broken Strings: Wisdom for Divorced and Separated Families

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Recently I read a book called "Broken Strings" by Deborah Hansen. This is a book that is especially helpful for families going through a divorce. The book is easy to read and offers practical advice and hope for the future. This book is also a great help for any teacher, counselor, therapist, or friend trying to help an adult or child dealing with a divorce. There are also so very useful tips for dealing with the school system and financial matters that can help you save time, money, and emotional stress. I highly recommend "Broken Strings". There is something for everyone in this helpful and easy to read practical book.

When it comes to single or shared parenting after divorce, consider this book your friend, support group, and how-to manual. With compassion and astounding efficiency, Hansen addresses potential pitfalls in bite-sized chapters so that even the busiest parent can benefit from her wisdom.

In 20 short chapters, Hansen covers topics including: the challenges of solo parenting; knowing your limits; relationships with ex-spouses and step-parents; manipulation; getting help from others; holidays; and caring for your own health. In addition to addressing topics that are likely to cause parents to stumble, Hansen shares the tools that she used to regain her balance.

The format of the book is succinct and practical. Single parents have little time for reading, so chapters are limited to two or three short pages. In just minutes, parents can absorb the information and put it into practice. Hansen gets straight to the point, but keeps the material lively with an encouraging tone and inspirational quotations.

Other self-help books can't match Hansen's personal insight into the emotional and practical needs of divorced and separated parents. Hansen knows what it's like to balance the needs of her child with her own process of recovery during and after divorce. Just like a good support group, she shows empathy and compassion while offering supportive advice and hope for the future.

Broken Strings is one of those books that I'll buy again and again because I'll keep giving my copy away. I consider it a must-read for parents, teachers, mediators, and friends of single parents. It's an essential resource for anyone who aims to understand, survive, and thrive during and after a divorce and separation.

Erin Kelley-Soderholm, M.Ed.
BellaOnline Mental Health Editor

Human foibles and the pitfalls of single parenting never seemed so universal and acceptable as they do in this new release by Deborah Hansen. As a former educator for over 30 years, I appreciate the difficulties in raising a child or children alone. I have seen many parents struggle with the isolation, rejection, uncertainties, aloneness and depression experienced on a daily basis. Ms. Hansen shares her own painful experiences and mistakes with readers and helps them realize they may not be alone in their experiences. She offers insightful and simple suggestions based on a lifetime of her own ups and downs in parenting as a single mother. Sometimes the seemingly obvious needs to be restated. I look forward to more pearls of wisdom from Ms. Hansen.