Amazon Direct from Jill Darcey Category:  Relationships Publisher: Complex Family Foundation ISBN-10:  0473162075 Type: Non-Fiction Pages: 428 Copyright: 2010 ISBN-13: 9780473162078 Positive, practical and real! A 'must read' for those affected by separation, divorce or some form of family breakdown. Over 420 pages packed on how to practically parent beyond separation, including answers to over 60 real FAQs. From the author, Jill Darcey:-  "I can assure you, divorce is not a life sentence to parental failure. Be encouraged - it can be the beginning of a foundation firmly based in the concepts of living a more authentic and meaningful life with your children. As many of us have experienced, father’s become Dads, often far beyond what they would have otherwise been. Mothers become the Mum they find peace with rather than someone whose traditional expectations they struggle to live up to. There is a newness and freshness to being a parent when you work constructively with your Ex to provide the best of both worlds, as my own children frequently describe their lives.  Throughout these pages you will be part of my own story, sharing in those things that have worked well and those that have not. You will read about others who walked their own road and the choices they made. Combining in a uniquely positive perspective on parenting beyond separation, we focus on raising our children free from the scaring we see as painfully normal."  Excerpt There’s camaraderie even between strangers when you mention “The Ex.” Without another word said, there’s a tone, a movement of the eyes, and a certain tilt of the head that says, “I know what you mean.” There’s a recognition that we have walked through uncharted terrain and survived — even if we do carry our battle scars. Although yelling matches, flying objects, packed suitcases, threats, bribes, lies, courtrooms, lawyers’ offices, financial loss, shattered dreams, and children left in tatters are normal, it doesn’t have to be this way. It is possible to adopt other strategies, make other choices, break free from the hopeless statistics, and have both parents and family thrive. Successful parenting, once you move beyond the relationship your children were born into, has more to do with your attitudes and choices than it does with luck. As difficult as it is to believe, it even has little to do with your Ex or the situations that cross your paths. What it does have to do with are your own attitudes and choices, and those people you allow to influence you. There are no magic wands to wave or quick fixes to take to guarantee smooth sailing ahead, but there are some real principles, tools, and tips ‘n tricks that will make the path considerably more gentle and worthwhile for everyone. Traditional mindset would have us believe marriage is the most significant decision we will make in our lives; while current events show this is no longer the case. The contract made with the person with whom one chooses to have a child (or children) is possibly the most significant personal contract we will ever make. While we frequently outlast or outlive our marriages, the children will carry the genes of their other parent throughout their lives. The link is forever — regardless of one’s willingness to foster or hinder that relationship.

Advice
“Your mastery and eloquence has brought tears to my eyes as I was transfixed with these messages of truth. So beautifully written and compelling for the reader to absorb and embody these truths.”
Christophe
Psychotherapist

Peer Review
“... can't fault you on your content. You have set out the stage / age correlation well. It is readable making it easily understood for those who may not be educated in this area and yet the information is in abundance for those who may know a great deal more ...”

Lezette
Therapist

Webster
“In the telling of this story, the author exhibits her lucid humour frequently – the sort of humour that we recognise as a way for us to rise above our circumstances. The author is also gifted in the way she reveals the subject matter, woven in anecdote. Jill tells us straight, or at times with metaphor. Always there is the sense that we are being authentically lectured by one who is educated and philosophical and importantly one who comes across as happy as any highly intelligent person can who is conscious of the problems and questions that surround us.”
Webster - New Zealand