Children, Feelings and Divorce: Finding the Best Outcome. - Review - book review

Adolescence, Fall, 2000

SMITH, Heather. Children, Feelings and Divorce: Finding the Best Outcome. London: Free Association Books (distributed by International Specialized Book Services), 1999. l78pp. $25.00 (p).

This book is a distillation of the author's twenty-five years of experience in working with children whose parents have divorced. Smith offers a positive approach which suggests that interventions based on knowledge can greatly improve the outcome of divorce for all concerned. Enlivened throughout by comments made by children and parents themselves, the book is written to increase parents' understanding of their children's feelings and how they express such feelings. In this way it aims to reduce children's distress, giving them a greater chance of growing into happy, successful adults. There is also a chapter written specifically for children in which the author addresses their concerns directly. Other chapters include: introduction--marriages that end in separation; at the time of separation; children's reactions--behavior; children's reactions--emotions; domestic violence--a family secret; domestic violence--the children; listening to children; children in groups; other ways of helping; parents who live ap art; contact; mediation for parents; children and mediation.