Solo Parenting: Raising Strong and Happy Families

By Diane Chambers and Diane Dierks

Offers single parents advice on meeting their needs as well as those of their children, and covers finances, discipline, and planning for a child's future. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1577490088
• ISBN13: 9781577490081
• Release Date: December 1996
• Publisher: Fairview Press
• Length: 192 Pages
• Weight: 0.76 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.0" x 1.0" x 6.0"

Customer Reviews

A positive guide that has something for everyone.

Even if you have already been though a divorce, it is never to late to read this book. This insightful, personal guide shines a ray of hope on every situation, and shows you how you can do what is best for you and your child. The author brings true stories to us, including her own, in a wide array.

Rules of Flying Solo

When cabin pressure drops, there's a good reason airline passengers are asked to secure their own oxygen masks first before helping others. If they didn't, they wouldn't be much good to the gasping child or elderly person in the next seat. Such is the philosophy behind author Diane Chambers' new book Solo Parenting: Raising Strong and Happy Families (Fairview Press, $12.95), a step-by-step guide to help readers deal with the turbulence and pressure changes of parenting alone. According to Chambers, a former single parent and self-proclaimed cabin pressure expert, taking care of personal needs first is the key to successful single parenting. "Too often I hear the words, `If only I could find a partner -- someone to help me with all these responsibilities -- life would be better.' But many times, that attitude is what got them there in the first place. So, I try to get parents to look at their singleness in a new light and to view it as a rich existence, not something to loathe or be ashamed of. Then, once they've addressed their own needs, and begin developing themselves, it's amazing how adamant they become about not needing anyone else to complete their lives. At that point, they're personally prepared to be the best parents they can be." WHEN THE PILOT TURNS ON THE SEATBELT SIGN. The book idea was conceived when Chambers found herself struggling to deal with all the initial problems single parents face. As a result, she was forced to prioritize and break challenges down into manageable parts. "There were a number of issues I had to resolve in a very short period of time: overcome the pain and trauma of divorce, re-budget my financial picture, redirect my career, become a part-time lawyer, a full-time father-figure, and find time somewhere in between to pay attention to what my kids were doing and thinking. That's a lot to face all at once. I didn't have any warning -- before I knew it I was fastening my seat belt for a long and uncertain journey. I was determined to be successful and fight the statistics that said my kids would suffer because they were living with only one parent. So, I just started taking it a step at a time." In the book, Chambers breaks down the process into three parts: preparation, self-development, and child-development. The first section addresses the emotional restructuring that is often necessary following divorce, death, or unwanted pregnancy. She uses the concepts of overcoming fear, reframing, and turning negative energy into positive steps, to help single parents prepare and approach the journey ahead with a healthy view of their new role. SEAT CUSHION AS A FLOTATION DEVICE Secondly, she focuses on innovative ways to tackle practical issues that are common to single parents: career, money, and self-esteem. Here, Chambers gives parents numerous ideas and suggestions on how to improve their lifestyles, while also k