Healing Hearts Helping Children and Adults Recover from Divorce

Divided into three parts, this book was written to foster healing for divorcing parents and to help divorcing couples support their children. Part one deals with interpersonal issues and individual growth. The reader is lead through the personal processes of divorce; actions parents can take to help themselves and their children adjust to the situation are highlighted. Some of the topics covered here include shared parenting, a child's perspective, repairing the damage, security and reassurance, domestic violence, difficult divorces, and redefining the family. Part two examines the legal system. It is hoped that by demystifying the legal process, divorce will become less frustrating and will afford the individual more choices. Some of the issues addressed here are legal issues in parenting, the mechanics of co-parenting, and finances and the reality of divorce. In part three, entitled "Medicine for the Heart," children share their experiences with divorce. Over 50 children were interviewed about their parents' divorce and how it affected them. They offer advice to parents about how to make divorce easier on other children. (RJM)