This book is designed to
serve divorced parents
regardless of parental
status including
non-custodial,
nonresidential,
long-distance, joint
custody, shared, equal or
co-parents and never married
parents. The book is to
assist parents in their
healing and rebuilding
process by offering ideas,
information, and help to
parent your children. We
believe we can work together
to create strong, healthy
and meaningful relationships
with our children post
divorce.
"Never doubt that a
small group of
thoughtful citizens can
change the world.
For, indeed, it is the
only thing that ever
has."
-- Margaret Mead
Dear Parents,
Working for change is
something we are all engaged
in at every moment of our
lives. Are we changing
for the good? In
January many people set new
goals - resolutions for the
New Year - on how they want
to change an aspect or
aspects of their lives.
Some want to lose weight;
others want to strengthen
their financial situations.
Anyone who has set a goal
for change and accomplished
that goal knows that it
takes determination,
consistent effort and time.
The amount of time and
effort involved is in direct
relationship to the size of
the task undertaken.
Change
starts within. We
think of something we want
to be better, then we think
of ways to make that
betterment happen. We
outline a plan, set goals
and begin working toward the
improvement. Seeing
initial results helps to
promote our intentions, but
occasionally we must remain
committed without
confirmation.
Each
of has to change their
thinking about long-distance
parenting.
Long-distance parenting,
after all, sounded like an
oxymoron. But your
desire to be a strong,
involved parent, coupled
with creativity, can empower
you to fulfill your goal of
remaining close with your
children. Many times
you will struggle, still
holding onto beliefs that
the children were issued a
"raw deal," or that things
should have been done a
different way - your way.
These feelings are normal.
Managing them is just
another (among many!) of the
personal matters that you
continue to work on.
The
goal of this book is to get
YOU thinking about YOUR
long-distance situation and
inspire you to be creative
and proactive in parenting
your children - parenting
regardless of the miles. Our
children are counting on us.
Let's work together.
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Table of Contents |
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Myth Busting
Traditional
Family
No-Faults’ Fault
How Does it
Happen?
Emotions and
Feelings
Many Emotions
Now is not
Forever
Autobiography in
Five Chapters
Common Story
Another Falling
Story
Make Not-So-Good
Better
Let Go - Move On
Normal Feelings
Usual Challenges
Including Them
Another Approach
Hearing the
Child’s Voice
Stepparents
Psychological
Parent
Go Where They are
Heard
Child’s Realities
Dealing with
Child's Fears
You Can Help
Active Listening
Discipline
You are the
Example
Not What I Meant
to Say
Discipline Styles
I’m Here, What
Now?
The Printed Word
Document Now For
Later
Children Stir
Things Up
Unhappy Children
Children’s
Responsibilities
Children’s
Information
Walk the Talk
Responsible
Children
Children Need
Seeing Abuse Is
Abuse
Buying the Pain
Away
Too Much Hurt
Avoid Bad
Parenting
Confidentiality -
Children
Confidentiality -
Spouse
Letter of
Adjustment
Parent-to-Parent
Loss of Control
Your Rules -
Their Rules
Emotional Baggage
Visitation
Interference
Interference with
Mail
Permission to
Love
Goodbyes
Adult Child of
Divorce
Dad’s Permission
Examples of
Problem Situations
Online Games
Web Cam
Internet Chat
Video Recorders
Video events or
parties
Letters
Postcards
Post-Made-Easy
FAX
Subscriptions
Care Packages
Activities in a
Letter
20 Activities
that fit in a letter
36 Activities
that fit in a box
11 Activities
For the Little Ones
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Odd Parent Out
Holidays
Advantages for
Children
Self-Esteem
Safety
Financial Support
Flexibility
Child's
Perspective
Children’s Fear
Child and Parent
Match
Four Types of
Attachment
I Want to Stay
with You
5, 4, 3, 2, 1,
Lift Off
Children Who
Choose
Children Who
Can’t Choose
Solutions for
Problems
Preparation
Co-Parenting
Revenge
Resident Parent
Build a Healthy
Child
And the Beat Goes
On
Resident Parent’s
Fear
The Win I Wanted?
Reality Check
Your Goal
Latch Key Kids
Non-Resident
Parent
When You Lose
Custody
Helping Yourself
Safe Answers
Concentrate on
the Children
New Traditions
Holidays
Uncomfortable
Together
Non-Resident
Parent’s Fear
Responsibilities
are Rights
Your
Responsibilities
What’s it Going
to Take
Dealing with
Feelings
Parents in Jail
Children Can’t
Visit
Other Resources
Your Rights
After You're Gone
Seek Support
Start a Support
Group
Easier Than Ever
Visitation
15 Ways to Stay
in Touch
Cell Phones
Text Messaging
Twitter
Internet Web Site
Networking Sites
Always On My Mind
Opportunities for
Contact and
Conversation
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
Index
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