GREAT NEWS FOR CHILDREN OF DIVORCE AND SEPARATION

Book Review by Susan Griffin, MS

    Dr. Isolina Ricci has done it again! She has penned yet another seminal work in her efforts to support families coping with the challenges of divorce, separation, co-parenting and step-families. And this time her efforts are aimed at the children directly. Mom’s House, Dad’s House For Kids: How To Feel at Home in One Home or Two speaks to children ages 8 and above in a voice that is remarkably understanding and validating of the point of view of the child.

    Dr. Ricci strikes a delicate balance between knowledge gained through her many years of research and the practical applications she provides, resulting in an impressive tool kit for children at all stages of adjusting to being two home kids.

    The book is designed to be used in a variety of ways, each guaranteed to meet the needs of the wide range of individual personal styles and unique situations of the books’ audience, children.

    For example, if I am a child with questions about parental dating or an overly-complicated visitation schedule -- and feel unsure how or even if to talk to my mom or dad about it -- Dr. Ricci provides a simple way for me to find answers to my questions as well as discover examples and tips for ways I can talk to my parents. Even if I decide not to speak directly to my folks, Dr. Ricci provides me with tools to sort through my own feelings about the situation in a way that leaves me feeling good about myself.

    The tips, lists and exercises are written in a way that makes it easy for the child to feel understood, supported, and validated. The layout of the book is consistent with the basic needs of any child in this transitional family situation. It provides a good map with detailed descriptions of the stops along the way and a clear sense of direction. The book provides a sense of order and structure which makes it is easy to use. The information provided sets a tone throughout that is positive and empowering, never patronizing.

    Dr. Ricci clearly understands and communicates the need for two home children to have a clear path to learn how to value the skills and attitudes they need to promote healthy adjustment, a deep sense of personal empowerment, resiliency and family teamwork.

    Mom’s House, Dad’s House For Kids: Feeling at Home in Two Homes is a must-have for the bookshelf of children 8 and above. It also belongs on the bookshelves of the adults who are responsible to help and support these two home kids: parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, teachers, attorneys (whether representing Mom/Dad or the children,) judges, therapists, mediators, and educators.