POSITIVE
PARENTING
101
A Handbook for Parents
Undergoing Divorce
JAMES A. (JIM) BAKER
FOREWORD BY JOHN BRADSHAW
HOUSTON, Tx
Copyright 2017 by James A. (Jim) Baker. All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the express written permission of the Author or Publisher, except for brief quotations in critical reviews. Inquiries should be addressed to Permissions, Bayou Publishing, 2524 Nottingham, Houston, TX 77005-1412. Ph: (713) 526-4558. E-mail: .
This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that neither the Publisher nor the Author is engaged in rendering legal, accounting, psychotherapeutic or other professional service. If expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional person should be sought.
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Printed in the United States of America 20 19 18 181 7 16 15 14 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
IISBN: 978-1-886298-35-4 | Positive Parenting 101 (pbk) |
ISBN: 978-1-886298-67-5 | Positive Parenting 101 eBook (ePUB) |
ISBN: 978-1-886298-77-4 | Positive Parenting 101 eBook (ePDF) |
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Baker, James A., 1943- author.
Title: Positive parenting 101 : a handbook for parents undergoing divorce / James A. (Jim) Baker ; foreword by John Bradhsaw.
Description: Houston, TX : Bayou Pub., 2016. | Includes bibliographical references and index.
Identifiers: LCCN 2016014038 (print) | LCCN 2016019715 (ebook) | ISBN 9781886298354 (pbk. : alk. paper) | ISBN 9781886298675 (ePUB) | ISBN 9781886298774 (ePDF)
Subjects: LCSH: Divorced parents. | Children of divorced parents. | Parenting. | Divorce.
Classification: LCC HQ759.915 .B338 2016 (print) | LCC HQ759.915 (ebook) | DDC 306.89--dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2016014038
| Bayou Publishing, LLC 2524 Nottingham Houston, TX 77005-1412 713-526-4558 http://www.bayoupublishing.com |
DEDICATION
I want to express my love and deep appreciation to my smart beautiful wife Xiao Rong Zhang and my delightful, smart, beautiful daughter, Nana, for all of their patience, love and support during this project.
CONTENTS
WELCOME TO POSITIVE PARENTING 101!
This 13-lesson handbook has been created to provide parents with the tools needed to effectively parent your children, even in the midst of the turmoil and pain that divorce often brings. For starters, this book will empower you by taking much of the mystery out of parenting. The text explores each major phase in your childs development, and suggests positive ways for you to be a more effective parent in each of those stages.
In addition, this handbook will provide you with important insights for safeguarding and nurturing both yourself and your children during the divorce process. By applying the strategies outlined in this book, you will be laying a strong foundation for growth and healing. Both you and your children will be able to move forward and lead happier, healthier lives.
You may also want to check out the court-approved online course that was designed to accompany this handbook: http://www.online-class-parenting-divorce.com.
Divorce is a reality in our world, and has been for many generations. As a matter of fact, for many decades now, the divorce rate for all first marriages in the USA has hovered somewhere around 50%. That in itself is a sobering statistic, but one that is all the more troubling when you consider how many children are caught in the middle when families start to fall apart.
Much has been written in recent years about the impact of divorce on children. Some studies seem to indicate that children are likely to suffer long-term negative effects from divorce; others point to hopeful signs that divorce does not have to mean catastrophe for children. That debate will continue to rage for many years. But what should you do right now in your current situation, and how can this book help?
This book is much more practical, facing head-on the reality that divorce does happen, and when it does children are often involved. So, when children are involved, there are steps that parents can and must take to help their children survive the turmoil, regain emotional equilibrium, and adjust to the new world in which they must now live.
Make no mistake about it; this book is first and foremost a book about parenting. There are great strategies and tips in here that will help any parent be a better and more effective parent. But beyond that, this book is intended to help parents continue to nurture, guide and support their children through the chaos that is divorce, which is perhaps the biggest challenge a parent can ever face. I would urge divorcing parents to read this book and follow the guidelines laid out here, if they care about doing what is best for their kids during this traumatic time for everyone.
This simple, helpful handbook is written in a way that is easy to understand and easy to use. I commend my friend, Jim Baker, for once again developing a thorough and very helpful resource that is going to help a lot of people live saner, safer lives.
John Bradshaw
Houston, Texas
Read the following paragraph and see if it strikes a chord in your heart:
Children whose parents are going through a divorce almost always feel that they are the cause of the divorce. One of the suggestions in this handbook is that, when telling your children that you and your spouse are divorcing, you should emphasize to them that they are not to blame. In fact, you should let them know in no uncertain terms that they are the best part of your marriage.
If those words grab you, you will appreciate this handbook. You will definitely value its recommendations. The book offers the emotional support and practical help you want and need as a parent who is concerned about the impact divorce is having, or will have, on your children.
If the opening paragraph above does not touch your heart and mind, this handbook will be of even more value to you. The information presented here will alert you to the depths of the challenges you and your children are facing, and help you develop the knowledge and practical know-how to help your children get through the emotional upheaval that comes with divorce.
Divorce is a painful time even in the very best of cases. This is especially true when children are involved. All parents, whether they are dealing with divorce or not, want to do a good job of relating to their children and helping them develop emotionally, mentally and physically. Whether you are reading this parenting handbook on your own, or as part of a court-mandated program, you will find that the information contained in this book helps you to effectively parent your children during these difficult times.