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Family & Relationships Divorce & Separation

Putting Children First

A Guide for Parents Breaking Up

by (author) Hanna McDonough & Christina Bartha

Publisher
University of Toronto Press
Initial publish date
Sep 1999
Category
Divorce & Separation, Social Work, General
  • Paperback / softback

    ISBN
    9780802080646
    Publish Date
    Sep 1999
    List Price
    $39.95
  • Hardback

    ISBN
    9780802042170
    Publish Date
    Sep 1999
    List Price
    $71.00
  • eBook

    ISBN
    9781442678910
    Publish Date
    Aug 1999
    List Price
    $71.00

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Description

This well researched book illustrates the importance of co-operation in divorce. The authors, experts in the field, present compelling evidence that when separating parents work through their differences, their children remain emotionally connected to both and therefore experience only temporary adjustment problems. However, they also show that prolonged conflict is apt to result in long-term emotional and behavioural problems for the children. This book describes how children often become trophies, pawns, messengers, and mediators when caught in bitter family disputes.

This book's child-centred approach helps parents to avoid and/or minimize conflict by transforming themselves from antagonistic spouses into co-operative parents. McDonough and Bartha use their expertise in counselling families to offer a step-by-step guide to the emotional work parents must do to successfully re-negotiate the practical and emotional aspects of their relationship.

By combining sophisticated clinical know-how with the latest research and illustrating with clear, easy-to-read vignettes, this book teaches parents how to manage themselves and their children to achieve a successful divorce.

About the authors

Hanna McDonough is Chief Social Worker in the Family Court Clinic at the Clarke Division, and Lecturer in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto.

Hanna McDonough's profile page

Christina Bartha, MSS, TSA, est directrice administrative du Programme pour les enfants, les jeunes et leur famille, Programme de traitement de la toxicomanie au Centre de toxicomanie et de santé mentale (CAMH), à Toronto, en Ontario.

Christina Bartha's profile page