The Divorced Dad's Survival Book (Hardcover)

~ (Author), Kermit Leggett (Author) "Robert Bly, an important figure in the fathers' rights movement, describes the experience of a 35-year-old man whose parents had divorced years earlier: [H]e began..." (more)
Key Phrases: wanting joint custody, one divorced father, other divorced fathers, New York, Bureau of the Census, Statistical Abstract of the United States (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

In the next century, 50 million American children will go to sleep without being able to say good night to their fathers. The Divorced Dad's Survival Book offers both hope and help for noncustodial fathers who want to stay connected with their children before, during, and after divorce. David Knox, a psychologist and father, is passionate in his premise that dads are not replaceable. But don't expect tips on ex-spouse bashing. Instead, the author's purpose is to minimize conflict with the ex-spouse and "to encourage fathers to continue being fathers and to emphasize that this goal is always worth pursuing no matter what legal or personal obstacles alienation from their spouse may bring."

Knox offers fathers a hefty how-to list: understanding a child's perspective on divorce, creating an optimistic view of divorced fathering, mediating differences with a former spouse, answering the tough questions kids ask, and coping when you fall in love with a new partner and your children don't. These challenges are explored with insightful self-assessments and practical descriptions of what to do--and not do--when your kids are with you and when they are with their mother. One chapter, written by the author's partner, offers a fresh view of being a divorced dad's valentine.

This supportive and strategic advice is weakened by Knox's stereotyped description of how fathering differs from mothering--one that is bound to ruffle even nonfeminist feathers. Yet the book succeeds in creating a model of loving, equal parenting that can triumph over the trials of divorce. --Barbara Mackoff --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Description

Demonstrating clearly how to navigate the process of getting a divorce while minimizing the negative impact on one's children, this guide shows how fathers can use the divorce process to cultivate and improve a healthy relationship with their kids.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 354 pages
• Publisher: Da Capo Press; 1 edition (March 21, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0306457997
• ISBN-13: 978-0306457999
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.5 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,876,432 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars New approach to a sensitive issue!, March 31, 1998

By A Customer

The possibility of divorce is always on the minds of married couples as well as the state of the relationship between the parents and children. Knox discusses the before, during, and after of the divorce process and how it especially affects the father-child relationship. Can a father do too much? not enough? what if the mother is uncooperative? Knox does a splendid job on this book filled with solid information for the straight or gay dad, the children, and the new partner.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars MUST READ, October 30, 1998

By A Customer

This book is a MUST READ for any father considering, or going through, a divorce. It is honest, practical, and PACKED with helpful suggestions for the process.

4.0 out of 5 stars Just what I needed, February 16, 2009

By	B. Stone (Mission Viejo, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: The Divorced Dad's Survival Book: How to Stay Connected with Your Kids (Paperback)

This book puts lots of things in perspective and provides clean and clear recomendations for dealing with the situation.