27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic - A MUST READ For Every Single Parent, January 5, 2010
This review is from: Raising Great Kids on Your Own: A Guide and Companion for Every Single Parent (Paperback)
I'm so grateful I bought this book. I had read the authors' book "Moving Forward After Divorce" [also excellent] and I picked this one up because I liked the first one so well.
My beloved husband of 15 years abandoned me about 7 months ago for his "online romance" and moved several states away, leaving me alone to raise our 6 young children. To say it has been traumatic and horrible is an understatement.
That is why I SO NEEDED this book.
The authors spend a lot of time talking about how we frame our lives and how our attitude shapes our children. In one section, they are discussing two different mothers - both of whom have been treated really badly by their Exes and left to raise children alone. One of the mothers is sad and talks a lot about the "tragedy" of their lives [and it was very tragic]. The other mother acknowledges the tragedy, but chooses to frame things positively ["We are a great family!" "Good Things Are Going To Happen To Us!"]. As I was reading the section, I remember being *angry* reading it because they were saying that the first mother was wrong to say the things she did, to frame their lives so negatively, etc. I was thinking "But she's RIGHT! LOOK what her husband did to them!". But as I read what David and Lisa had to say, I gradually realized that they were right - for the sake of the children, a positive mindset was essential.
It was a real turning point for me, and it has been of great benefit to my children - who have come through this amazingly happy and positive, which is astounding under the circumstances.
This whole book is full of absolutely *amazing* advice - as a single parent, you will find every chapter helpful - you will find help you may not even have realized you needed. I truly enjoyed the way they wove the stories of other single parents through the book to illustrate what they were trying to teach - it was very interesting, comforting, and engaging. This book made me feel truly equipped to accomplish the difficult task I have ahead of me - a very welcome thing indeed!
I've read a lot of books on single parenting at this point, and none of them have been as wonderful and helpful as this volume. I highly recommend this book, and I deeply thank the authors for their work - they definitely helped my family!
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20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
I Wish I'd Had This Twelve Years Ago..., March 25, 2007
This review is from: Raising Great Kids on Your Own: A Guide and Companion for Every Single Parent (Paperback)
When my divorce was final 12 years ago, I was left to raise two sons. I felt hopeless and alone (although people reached out to me) and I certainly felt unable to raise two boys. My sons are teens now. "Raising Great Kids" has some of the wisest parenting insights I've found anywhere, for kids of any age but especially for parents of teens or pre-teens. Wow. I wish I'd had this book twelve years ago, but I'm glad I found it now.
Barbara Sheldon, M.S.W.
Currently reading:
The Maytrees: A Novel
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14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Single Parents Have a Friend in this Wonderful Book, February 6, 2009
This review is from: Raising Great Kids on Your Own: A Guide and Companion for Every Single Parent (Paperback)
Single parents seeking to find the answers and guidance to raising great kids can begin with this caring and insightful book with Christian values.
The authors embrace raising great kids with love, patience, understanding, and endurance. To guide you to this end, there are three parts to this easy-to-read-and-understand book.
The three parts are:
Part One: Finding your Way to a New You-Learning to care for yourself.
Much like making sure your oxygen mask is on, in an aircraft emergency, before trying to assist your child with their mask, this chapter focuses on your own faith, health and welfare so you can be there for your kids.
Networking, how to network and with whom, is noted as a mainstay to build your support system. This along with taking care of yourself, according the authors, will put you on solid footing.
Part Two: Helping Your Kids Adjust to Trauma and Change-Learning to Nurture Your Children.
Through the stories of parents who are "making the best of their situation," you'll discover how to communicate with your children, and understand how your children process their grief.
Part Three: Facing The Future-Learning to Manage Your New Life.
Relevant topics surface in this segment. Questions and answers about employment options, continuing education, financial realities, dating and relationships, are all covered with poignant stories from men and women learning to live life alone or with a new mate.
As an useful guide, you'll discover more about yourself and how to stay or become the parent you want to be for your child or children starting right now.
Armchair Interviews says: The husband-and-wife team presents an important message.
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