Shared Parenting: Raising Your Children Cooperatively After Separation

Description

Research shows that children in separated families do best when both parents are actively involved in their lives. The aim of shared parenting is to have children in post-separation families spend substantially equal time with both parents. Shared parenting is widely regarded as the best parenting arrangement because it focuses on the benefits the child can gain through having such time. However, in many family situations, the implementation of this may seem daunting: equal time with both parents might be an unrealistic ideal, and communication between ex-partners may be difficult. So how can shared parenting really work? In this practical and concise book, two highly experienced practitioners provide parents with straightforward advice and consider a range of sample parenting plans. they help parents construct approaches that reflect the practicalities of their split family life - and always ensure that the child's needs are considered foremost.

Jill Burrett is a consulting psychologist, in private practice in Sydney, who provides counselling and assessment services for a wide range of individual and family problems. She writes from personal and professional experience of the effects of separation on families, and is the author of Parenting after Separation and co-author of Shared Parenting. Her other books on divorce, relationships and parenting include But I Want to Stay With You, Dad's Place and Making Good Decisions About Relationships and Separating. With over 30 years' experience as a lawyer, Michael Green now runs a private mediation practice specialising in family conferencing, mediation, life skills programs and dispute resolution. He conducts programs to assist men and women to better manage their lives and parenting following separation and divorce. He is the father of two children and the author of Fathers After Divorce, a book that has helped many men become successful separated parents, and coauthor of Shared Parenting. He lives in Sydney.

'This book is an excellent resource for people who want to understand how best to put the children first and to work out cooperative, shared parenting arrangements after separation. I recommend it very highly.' Patrick Parkinson, Professor of Law, University of Sydney. 'This is a must-read for any parent contemplating separation and divorce or for those already in the process. It's never too late to reconnect with your children ... You and your kids deserve this.' Judy Radich, National President, Early Childhood Australia. 'This book offers practical solutions focused on children's needs, while challenging some traditional assumptions about parenting after separation.' Anne Hollonds, CEO, Relationships Australia (NSW).