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Recommended Reading: How To Be A Better Single Parent
(c) People Magazine
Book Review – Occasionally, you stumble over true treasures on the Internet. Earlier today, I downloaded a free eBook out of pure curiosity. I have learned my lesson in you-get-what-you-pay-for, so I wasn’t expecting much. However, I now know that How To Be A Better Single Parent is among the best general advice books I have read since the separation from my spouse.
It is tough reviewing a book that is provided to you as free with the same measure as you would review a book you would pay $20 or more for. But I have no problem claiming that the advice provided can hold its own in such comparisons. Expect exactly what the title promises: A guide how you can become a better single parent.
If you are sometimes down, if you feel that the world comes crashing down on you and you feel that you are simply not capable of dealing with the monumental challenges of being a single parent, I recommend reading this book. You will feel much better after reading it. There is lots of common sense advice and yes, I am sure you will smile when reading the last line.
The eBook is structured in two main topics – the challenge of “breaking with the old and getting on with the new” and the reward that life goes on and that fact that you can do it. The underlying message is that there are so many single parents who have mastered this phase of life before and there is plenty of support if you look for it.
From the book:
“Feeling tired, cranky and over-extended, with priorities and commitments staring at you every day. It all comes with the territory of being a single parent (especially in the early stages). Anger, fear, exhaustion, all of these things that make us human and not infallible. It will in all probability cross our path(s) on this trek.
Know this: YOU ARE NOT ALONE! Get support and help and tap into the love and care around you!
Yes, there are challenges, but the rewards of being the main champion and influence in the life of your child/children and family, as head of the house, partner, collaborator, mother/father, taxi-service, coach, psychologist, flag-bearer…every day will bring something new. The roles, tasks and responsibilities may seem endless, but so too are the joys and cherished memories you are making together every day!”
How To Be a Better Single Parent is aimed at any single parent whether there has been the loss of a partner or not. It provides general strategies to improve your single parent life as well as the life for your children such as:
- Learn to speak directly WITH your children NOT at them
- Loving, consistent discipline with tough rules that matter and are the same day-to-day, providing security in uncertainty are essential – communicate and execute them well in all that you do and attempt.
- YOU DO NOT HAVE TO GO/TRY IT ALONE! Use and call on support and reaching out to others will keep you sane
Author Art Stanley continues to tap into more detailed advice how to successfully transition into single parent life. He believes that your strategy should be based on moderation, speed, goals, standards and limits, which are explained in an easy to understand and down-to-earth way.
Also helpful is a comprehensive chapter on communicating with your child, which gives you ideas when your child simply shuts down at times or if she/he is upset with you. Stanley does not reveal any big secrets: He reiterates what we should know anyway, but tend to forget at times. So don’t blame your child, don’t yell and don’t lie. If you feel your kid is manipulating a situation, confront her/him but always let your children know that you love them and you want to trust them, but you will not condone such behavior.
Other topics covered are social life, school, and, of course, divorces.
If you are looking for clear advice how to deal with a certain problem, this eBook may disappoint you. In fact, you may even perceive much of the content as fluff. It isn’t so much a divorce guide as so many other books you may come across. There isn’t scientific research that leads to certain conclusions. But it is an inspiring motivational speech that summarizes on 59 pages all those tough lessons we must learn as single parents. It reminds you what is important in your life and teaches how you can concentrate on your children and become a better single parent.
It is especially noteworthy that Art Stanley does not speak about the interaction with the other parent at all. It is completely focused on you improving the life of you and your children.
No matter if you are just in the transition to become a single parent or if you have been a single parent for some time and you struggle with everyday challenges, no matter what type of single parent category you fall into, this is the book you want to read.
How To Be A Better Single Parent, by Art Stanley; 59 pages; theappleaday.com, no publishing date available; offered free of charge as eBook (PDF file, 247 KB): You can download the eBook from download services such as download.com. There is a free registration required to obtain the eBook license code from the publisher.
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