 wThe
Courage to be a Single Mother: Becoming Whole Again After Divorce
By: Sheila Ellison
Whether you became a single
mother by choice or if the choice was made
for you, this book is for you. Sheila Ellison, the mother of five children,
offers a firsthand account of the struggles faced as a single mom in today’s
world. She also offers insight provided by dozens of other single mothers
that she interviewed for this book. If nothing else, these mothers offer
hope, humor and the reality that there is a light at the end of the tunnel
that allows you to emerge whole.
The author does not sugarcoat the often-harsh realities of one income, being
the sole decision maker and sometimes the only parent available to deal with
school, homework, carpools and sports. You are often the only one that can
answer those difficult questions that children are so good at asking.
The author reminds us to be honest but gentle because when talking about
their father, whom they still love, good or bad. By reaching out to others
around you, getting support from other single moms, a therapist or your
faith, you can make this new transition in your life a lot less lonely and
scary.
Another important point often made throughout the book, and often a
difficult one to deal with, is putting aside your bitterness and remembering
that you cannot control the choices your ex-husband may make, even when they
are hurtful or confusing to your children. The practical advise and insight
offered in this book may just be what you have been looking for in this next
chapter in your life.
~ Reviewed by Lisa
Morin, Advocates for Children
wThe Safe Child Book:
A Commonsense Approach to Protecting Children and Teaching Children to
 Protect
Themselves. For Children from 3 to 16.
by Sherryll Kraizer, Ph.D.
Written for parents, The Safe Child Book offers information on a variety of techniques to keep children safe. Both insightful and practical, this book provides parents with language and activities to successfully teach children the basics of personal body safety as well as keeping them safe from child abuse and abduction. Sherryll Kraizer uses unique techniques such as the “What if” game to enable children to be their own greatest protector.
The Safe Child Book provides parents with specific personal safety training skills, taking a more proactive approach rather than using scare tactics with children. The true to life examples, enable parents to tailor specific rules to their children. Beginning with the basics and moving through more difficult issues, Kraizer offers concrete step-by-step techniques for setting family expectations and teaching child safety skills that parents will feel comfortable using with their children without creating an atmosphere of fear or anxiety.
Kraizer focuses on all aspects of keeping children safe: from sexual abuse to school bullies to choosing a quality childcare, this book covers it all. The easy to read format makes it both informative and practical for the complex life of a parent.
This book is recommended for parents of children of all ages, teachers, and
any individual who works with children. The Safe Child Book, shares important information that adults can use to keep the children in their lives safe. This book is available in the Leading Library at Advocates For Children.
~Reviewed by Kristy Meisner, Prevention Educator
wPlayful Parenting:
A Bold New Way to Nurture Close Connections, Solve Behavior
Problems & Encourage
Children’s Confidence
By Lawrence J. Cohen, Ph.D.
Play is children’s way of exploring the world, communicating deep feelings, getting close to those they care about, working through stressful situations, and blowing off steam. Lawrence Cohen’s book Playful Parenting gives parents a way to enter their child’s world in a fun way that fosters closeness, confidence and connection. It is an easy read and is full of hands on anecdotes that are easy to try.
Cohen explains that
children’s primary caregivers are the child’s reservoir, a place to start
from and return to, in between explorations. He uses the metaphor of filling
and refilling a cup. A child’s need for attachment is like a cup that is
being emptied by being hungry, tired, lonely, or hurt. The cup is refilled
by being loved, fed, comforted, and nurtured. Filling and refilling the
child’s cup is the basis of heartfelt parent-child connection. Play with our
children fills that cup by allowing them to try on adult roles and skills,
serves the need for attachment, affection and closeness and is a way to
recover from emotional distress.
Playful Parenting also
recognizes that before parents can really use any parenting advice, they
need to recharge themselves, refill their own empty cup. It may seem like
spending time playing will only eat up precious time and also deplete
parents all ready running low cups, when actually fun play not only refills
our children’s cups but our own as well. Cohen adequately acknowledges
parents challenges and needs in this book as well as the child’s.
~Reviewed by Christine Fournier, AFC Board Member 
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Revised: 06/20/05 |
