When Parents Part: How Mothers and Fathers Can Help Their Children Deal with Separation and Divorce

Research psychologist Leach delivers a sobering look at the effect divorce has on families, a problem she says is at “epidemic levels.” She persuasively demonstrates that it makes children particularly unhappy, but insists she is not suggesting staying married “for the sake of the children.” Leach encourages couples considering divorce to employ a “child-centeredness” approach and consider each child as an individual. Her advice addresses a wide array of topics, including dealing with new spouses or partners, custody during holidays, and what to do if one parent moves far away. Leach peppers the book with comments from children, parents, and grandparents that underscore the importance of fostering the right environment. Leach’s heavy emphasis on research data stumbles with her occasional use of statistics from disparate countries, an apparent effort to speak to the “English-speaking world” as a whole that American readers may find instead makes the book less specifically applicable to their concerns. Otherwise, the ample information offered here serves as a solid foundation for the steps Leach recommends for “making the most of a bad job.” (May)