The Co-Parents' Handbook: Raising Well-Adjusted, Resilient, and Resourceful Kids in a Two-Home Family from Little Ones to Young Adults

by Karen Bonnell

Overview

When it comes to a child's sense of family, what divorce breaks apart, solid co-parenting rebuilds.

With a tested "here's how" approach, The Co-Parents' Handbook helps parents confidently take on the challenges of raising children in two homes. Addressing parents' questions about the emotional impact of separation, conflict, grief and recovery, the authors skillfully provide a road map for all members of the family to safely navigate through separation/divorce and beyond. Parents discover through practical guidance how to move from angry/hurt partners to constructive, successful co-parents. The pages are chock-full of helpful strategies to resolve day-to-day issues in an easy-to use format. This book is here to answer questions, help parents co-parent and ensure kids thrive!

We will show you ways to:

• Successfully work through difficult feelings while forming your “business of co-parenting relationship”
• Build a mutually respectful co-parenting relationship
• Keep your children front and center while protecting them from adult conflict and concerns
• Understand your children’s needs as they navigate the loss and change of divorce
• Help your children build resilience and competence in the face of family change
• Implement strategies and protocols for day-to-day living in a two-home family that work

Product Details

BN ID:	2940151626415
Publisher:	Karen Bonnell
Publication date:	02/13/2015
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	5 MB

About the Author

Karen Bonnell, ARNP, MS is a board-certified clinical nurse specialist with over 30 years of experience working with individuals, couples, and parents. Her private practice is dedicated to working with couples across the spectrum from pre-marital preparation to co-parenting in two-home families to remarriage. As a Divorce and Co-Parent Coach, Karen has dedicated her work to thoughtfully resolving conflicts one person, one couple and one family at a time. Karen has served on the board of King County Collaborative Law and was a founding member of the Collaborative Professionals of Washington. She is a member of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals and Academy of Professional Family Mediators. Karen is a regular presenter on topics related to divorce and co-parent coaching, as well as advanced communication skills. Karen lives in the foothills of the Cascade range outside Seattle. She values the lessons learned in the “school of hard knocks” in her experience of creating a two-home family before divorce coaching existed. Her two adult children are her every-day inspiration for the beauty of love, forgiveness, and trust in the capacity of family in all its forms. Kristin Little MA, MS, LMHC is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in private practice in the Seattle area. She has provided therapy for children at risk and their families within her community for the past 17 years. Currently, Kristin is a board member of Collaborative Professionals of Washington, a growing organization that is dedicated to reducing the harmful conflict of divorce for couples and families. Her private practice as a Collaborative Divorce Child Specialist, as well as her own difficult journey through divorce and single parenting, provides Kristin with unique insights and a compassionate and practical approach for guiding individuals, parents and children through the emotional landscape of divorce. Kristin is a frequent speaker to mental health and legal professional groups on the topic of healthy coping for parents and children in divorce. Kristin lives in the Seattle area with her young son and her loving, large, and complicated two-home family.

Editorial Reviews

In the last 30 years of pediatric practice, I've observed many parents dealing with the end of their marriage and its aftermath. This book is a great resource. It is practical, to-the-point, and insightful. I will definitely recommend it to families that I see who are going through separation or divorce.

Pediatrician, Seattle, WA - Mark Greenfield, MD

This is the most progressive, practical, and hopeful book for families in transition I have read in years. I will be offering a copy to every client who walks through my door. A definite "must read."

Family Law Attorney, Mediator, and Founder/Past President of Collaborative Professionals of Washington - Felicia Malsby Soleil, JD

Karen & Kris have done a phenomenal job. The book addresses complex issues in a straight-forward, easy to understand language. They tackle high conflict emotion while assisting with the practical. Karen and Kris provide a compass, skills, everyday "here's how" tools to meet the day-to-day challenges of two-home family life. I will buy this book in bulk!

Past President, International Academy of Collaborative Professionals - Nancy Cameron, QC