An internationally renowned authority on children and divorce reveals the latest research-based strategies for helping children survive and thrive before, during, and long after their parents divorce. The breakup of a family can have an enduring impact on children. But as Dr. JoAnne Pedro-Carroll explains with clarity and compassion in this powerful book, parents can positively alter the immediate and long-term effects of divorce on their children. The key is proven, emotionally intelligent parenting strategies that promote children's emotional health, resilience, and ability to lead satisfying lives. Over the past three decades, Pedro-Carroll has worked with families in transition, conducted research, and developed and directed award- winning, court-endorsed programs that have helped thousands of families navigate divorce and its aftermath. Now she shares practical, research-based advice that helps parents: -gain a deeper understanding of what their children are experiencing -develop emotionally intelligent parenting strategies with the critical combination of boundless love and appropriate limits on behavior -reduce conflict with a former spouse and protect children from conflict's damaging effects -learn what recent brain research reveals about stress and children's developing capabilities Filled with the voices and drawings of children and the stories of families, Putting Children First delivers a positive vision for a future of hope and healing.

Putting the Children First chronicles the educational struggle that took place in the city of Newark amidst years of political upheaval and economic neglect. It is a story of inspiration and hope as we come to understand what happened when educators, parents, and community members pulled together to turn education around in one of the most historically troubled cities in America. This volume tells the remarkable story of Project New Beginnings, a 7-year collaboration between the Newark Public Schools and Bank Street College to restructure early childhood education. Reporting from the front lines of urban schools, this important volume: gives voice to the variety of people involved in effective school reform-- teachers, principals, staff developers, superintendents, and foundation executives; illustrates how one school-change project kept its focus on the needs of individual teachers and classrooms while negotiating the many demands in contemporary urban schools; and confronts the difficult constraints and many hurdles the Project overcame to emerge as a model for school-university collaboration.

As you face one of life's most difficult transitions, divorce and child custody mediator Dr. Blackstone and pediatrician Dr. Hill offer step-by-step guidance on how to put your children first. This road map covers communicating the news in a developmentally appropriate way, helping children cope and preventing the effects of toxic stress, shared custody and parenting plans, confronting bad-mouthing and other challenges to positive co-parenting, handling concerns about safety or abuse, remarriage and blending families, co-parenting for the long haul, through the teen years and beyond, and more, with the goal of healthy, happy kids informing every step along the way

Nationally recognized expert Robert Emery applies his twenty-five years of experience as a researcher, therapist, and mediator to offer parents a new road map to divorce. Dr. Emery shows how our powerful emotions and the way we handle them shape how we divorce—and whether our children suffer or thrive in the long run. His message is hopeful, yet realistic—divorce is invariably painful, but parents can help promote their children’s resilience. With compassion and authority, Dr. Emery explains: • Why it is so hard to really make divorce work • How anger and fighting can keep people from really separating • Why legal matters should be one of the last tasks • Why parental love—and limit setting—can be the best “therapy” for kids • How to talk to children, create workable parenting schedules, and more

This edited volume contributes to the policy initiatives aiming to reduce child poverty and academic understanding of child poverty and its solutions. It challenges existing narratives around child poverty, exploring alternative understandings of its complexities and dynamics and examining policy options that work to reduce child poverty.

Going through a divorce is never easy. Tension can be high, and too often, the adversarial family court system only escalates the conflict. Sadly, children can become collateral damage. Fortunately - as in life - in divorce, you have choices. You don't need to go down the traditional path of hiring a divorce attorney and battling it out in court. Instead, you can choose cooperation over conflict, and put your children first! Putting Kids First in Divorce, brings together eleven leading divorce, co-parenting, and relationship professionals, who share their insights and perspectives on communication, conflict resolution, and supporting children through a transition. You'll learn about alternatives to litigation such as collaborative law, mediation and divorce coaching - which are far less adversarial and more economical than family court. In an easy-to-read interview-style format, Putting Kids First in Divorce, will enlighten, empower and inspire you. Filled with wisdom from leading experts, you'll learn everything from creating a cooperative child-centric separation to resolving conflict; approaching divorce with mindfulness to raising resilient children; communicating with your ex to co-parenting with compassion. Equipped with the knowledge you will acquire in this book, our hope is that you see divorce does not have to be a battlefield, but an opportunity for growth where you can create an environment to ensure your children thrive! As Karen Bonnell, a co-contributor to the book is fond of saying, "When it comes to a child's sense of family, what divorce breaks apart, solid co-parenting rebuilds." Putting Kids First in Divorce is comprised of ten value-packed chapters featuring content and interviews with high-integrity divorce professionals, unified by a common theme: putting the needs of children first through cooperative processes. The topics covered include: � Choose Cooperation Over Combat by Jeremy S. Kossen & Mark B. Baer, Esq. � Stay Out of Court! Choose Mediation or Collaborative Divorce Over Litigation by Mark B. Baer & Jeremy S. Kossen � For Kids, What Divorce Breaks Apart, Strong Co-Parenting Rebuilds by Karen Bonnell, ARNP, MS � Using Mediation to Build a Happy Blended Family by Amanda D. Singer, Esq., MDR, CDFA(tm) & Jennifer M. Segura, JD, CDFA(tm) � Approaching Divorce With Mindfulness And Compassion by Belinda N. Zylberman � How to Establish Boundaries and Promote Healthy Communication by Maida V. Farrar, Esq., CDC � The Road to Resiliency: How to Raise Resilient Children Through a Family Transition by Kristine Clay, MA � How to Work on Your Marriage When It No Longer Works by Sara Freed � How to Help Your Teen Survive and Thrive After Divorce by Nicola Beer � Guilt-Free Parenting in Divorce by Cherie D. Morris

Named One of the 10 Best Parenting Books of the Year by Child Magazine, this revised edition teaches you to minimize stress during initial breakups and ultimate separation, explain divorce so children don't blame themselves, protect children from parental hostilities, and navigate conflicts of loyalty and alliance.