4 comments about I Have a New Family Now: Understanding Blended Families (Comforting Little Hearts Series).

1. This book is so good because it not only explains things but is also interactive. The children fill in blanks and draw. It is easy to talk over things with your child as you go through the book together. I recommend it highly.



2. This very simple and matter-of-fact book helps children to understand the reality that families change due to different situations. This book focuses on stepfamilies, or blended families, and asks children to evaluate their new families and express how they feel about them. There is some sound advice at the end of the book as to how parents can help their children adjust to having new family members.

   When I ordered this book, I didn't realize how Biblically based it is. There are Bible verses scattered throughout the book ensuring children that they need not be afraid of change, because even if life changes, God doesn't, and He is always there for us and will always love us. At the end of the book there is a brief synopsis of the Gospel, specifically that Jesus Christ died for our sins because He loves us. The Biblical references correlate well with the text without making it super religious, and most of the verses are typed "off to the side". There are some cute references to Jesus having a stepfamily (Joseph being His stepfather), and an adorable illustration of Jesus hugging His stepbrother, James.

   As it is definitely a Christian book I'm not sure that atheistic or agnostic families would feel comfortable with such overt Biblical references. Jewish and Muslim families may be offended by references to Jesus' death being necessary for the forgiveness of sins. However, the overall message of the book (that change is inevitable and it is OK to feel how you feel about it) is very good and the interactive features of the book encourage children to participate in discussion about otherwise sensitive issues. I heartily recommend it!




3. This was a good book, but I purchased it in anticipation of adopting. I felt that it was better suited to remarriage. It was kind of neat that it had places for children to fill in the blanks. Make it more their own personal story.



4. I bought this book for my 6 year old because I have noticed that he's been having mixed thoughts about his "blended" family. My son loved this book and the fact that you can fill in the blanks and draw pictures about how you are feeling. This book helped me explain the whole remarriage and stepparent situation. He loved this book so much that he took it to school the very next day to show his teacher.
   
   I would highly recommend this book for any parent, counselor, therapist that deals with children who need help understanding blended families.

5 comments about Divorce: Making the Break.

1. If you are looking for a clear and concise book that cuts right to the heart of the matter, this is it. For anyone looking for answers to tough questions on a difficult subject, pick up this book. I recommend this book to anyone in or around a divorce.



2. This book covers, in extensive and absorbing detail, all the bases about how to survive court dates, adversarial meetings with attorneys, and other practical considerations in the divorce process. But its real essence is in how to survive divorce with your mind, heart and soul--and those of your children--intact. During a high-conflict divorce proceeding it's easy to let yourself fall prey to a "Don't get mad, get even" state of mind; the author keeps bringing his readers back to how destructive this is for the litigants and, especially, for their kids. Keep the children's welfare at the forefront, and don't sacrifice your integrity for the sake of getting revenge on your soon-to-be-ex.

   This is a touching and very, very useful guide to getting through a terrible time in your life, and coming out the other side, without destroying your soul in the process.




3. I think that "Divorce: Making the Break" by David Bell, is a body of work that is both compelling, and informative. I believe that even if one is thinking of divorce, they should buy this book. It answers many and all questions, and seems to lead one logically through this labyrinth called divorce. I cannot recommend this book highly enough. Definitely a 5 star read.



4. This is one of the first books to buy if you are considering -- or are currently immersed -- in a divorce. It spells out the legal and emotional steps of the divorce process with great clarity.



5. Half of all marriages end in divorce. The divorce rate is even higher for teen marriages. David Bell draws upon five years of extensive research and personal experience in writing Divorce: Making The Break, a straightforward, "reader friendly" book about what to expect and how to best ease the painful transition of a divorce. From dealing with emotional violence to helping children cope to working through the aftermath, Divorce: Making The Break is a rock-solid compendium of sensible advice and practical considerations. Divorce: Making The Break is very highly recommended reading for those contemplating a divorce or who find themselves currently caught up in a divorce -- especially when there are children involved.

1 comments about The Single-Again Handbook: Finding Meaning and Fulfillment When You're Single Again (Fresh Start).

1. The Single Again Handbook is without question of the best divorce recovery books ever written, Christian or non-Christian. The information is presented clearly, succinctly, and in such a no-nonsense style that readers will be fully engaged from the beginning of reading the book.
   
   The author, Thomas Jones, is a Christian counselor and minister who found himself getting a divorce over thirty years ago. His journey through the difficulties of divorce recovery led him into the path of Bob Burns. Bob Burns, Tom Jones, and others evetually founded Fresh Start, one of the best Christian divorce recovery programs in the world. Fresh Starts have helped thousands of people who are divorced, divorcing, separated, or just not sure.
   
   As a Christian divorce recovery counselor who has worked with DivorceCare and Fresh Start, I can attest personally and professionally that this book is an immense help and encouragement to people who are going through any part of this journey. I know one person who was counseled using this book that identified so strongly with the book's description of divorce and its effects on a person that she took the book aloose and mailed pages to family and friends telling them that she could express how she felt any better than this book.
   
   Anyone looking for an unparalled Christian divorce recovery book need go no further. This book is the book that you need.

No comments about Divorce by Deployment: My story, My tragedy, My victory.

No comments about Is This Relationship Over? Knowing When and How to End It (Truth in Dating: Finding Love By Getting Real).

2 comments about Protecting Your Assets from a Georgia Divorce (Successful Divorce).

1. This book is published by the same outfit that did the similar, highly successful book Protecting Your Assets from a Texas Divorce, in this case tailored to Georgia law. This book is a step-by-step guide to making the correct moves as the process goes along to keep more of what you own in the settlement, plus good advice on evaluating your situation and getting your life back on track when it's over. No one - certainly not when there's a significant estate involved - should go through a divorce in Georgia without reading this helpful book.



2. Personally, I would have liked to see the material covered in greater detail. It didn't tell me much more than I already knew, and it's the first book I've read on the subject.

2 comments about Life After Your Lover Walks Out: A Practical Guide (10-Step Empowerment Series).

1. "Life After Your Lover Walks Out" is a practical guide to help you find life after the break up of a long term relationship. Lynda Bevan takes the reader through the emotional shock of the first two days after a break up, and through the questions of guilt and self worth. She addresses fear of the future, offers suggestions for financial crisis, and walks the reader through the grieving process. Lynda guides the reader through ten steps in this journey of self acceptance and recovery.
   
   The author offers innovative, creative methods for developing strategies to help the reader with finding answers to coping with diverse situations.
   
   Within the text Ms Bevan includes lists of negative steps to avoid and positive steps to take as you work through each process. These suggestions are in an easy to read format which makes them easy to read, review, and assimilate.
   
   Step ten helps you change your mindset to become a new you. The process is defined, explained, and action steps are given for finding new relationships and for letting go of the past.
   
   Lynda Bevan has a long and successful career in the Social Services and National Health Services in the UK. She is well qualified to author this treatise. This is Book I in the 10 Step Empowerment Series, published by Loving Healing Press and is edited by Robert Rich, Ph.D.



2. Reviewed by Mary Greenwood for Reader Views (9/06)
   
   "Life after Your Lover Walks Out" is a well-written book focusing on the emotional and practical issues that arise when your lover moves on. The author, Lynda Bevan, has over twenty-two years of service in the Mental Health field in the UK. Her marital/relationship counseling and her own personal experiences have given her the expertise and strategies needed to write a good book on coping with life after one's lover walks out.
   
   "Life after Your Lover Walks Out" is designed to be read in less than two hours so that the reader can quickly see the options on how to handle each Step on the way to emotional recovery. "Life after Your Lover Walks Out" identifies the thoughts and feelings that emerge during this difficult time and provides suggestions and ideas on how to cope. There are ten chapters or steps from Step 1: Falling Apart/Shock, and Step 2: Why is this happening to me? to Step 9: Look to the Future, and Step 10: The New You. There is also a bibliography which includes books by Wayne Dyer, Louise Hay, The Dali Lama and James Redfield.
   
   Bevan writes with empathy for the reader. You can tell that she writes from personal experience as she acknowledges the various emotions and thoughts someone feels when a loved one leaves. She gives very practical and sometimes humorous advice, too. For example, in the Grieving Process Step, she has a list of things not to do which include: 1) "Don't do a Bridget Jones and slob out in front of a weepy film" and 2) "Don't replace a relationship by eating lost of food (comfort food)." Bevan anticipates the negative thoughts of the reader and suggests alternatives on how to get through this experience a happier person.
   
   Lynda Bevan's approach is very personal; she is like your best friend who does not judge you and nudges you to go to the next step in your life and recovery. She understands what the readers are going through and wishes the best for them. I highly recommend "Life after A Lover Walks Out" to anyone going through a major relationship upheaval.

No comments about How to File for Divorce in California, 6E (How to File for Divorce in California).

No comments about Growing Up Divorced: A Road to Healing for Adult Children of Divorce.

1 comments about The Psychotherapist As Parent Coordinator in High-Conflict Divorce: Strategies and Techniques (Haworth Practical Practice in Mental Health) (Haworth Practical Practice in Mental Health).

1. The Psychotherapist As Parent Coordinator in High-Conflict Divorce: Strategies and Techniques (Haworth Practical Practice in Mental Health) (Haworth Practical Practice in Mental Health)
   
   This is a great resource for a guidebook for practicing parenting coordinators.