Tag: divorce

divorce mediation

Divorce Mediation Help

Life, Death, Love, and Marriage Leave a comment

The Divorce Mediation Handbook
James
1997

Divorce mediation is a great topic for library collections and can be a cheaper alternative to traditional divorce. However, it isn’t right for everyone, especially when there are complex issues or unequal power dynamics. In 1997, this would have been a great choice for a public library collection. In 2022, the topic still has merit, but it is essential that this material is up to date.

I would like to also say this could qualify as an easy weed. Topics in the legal and medical areas are easy weeds just based on date alone. If the book purports to give advice to the reader for a current medical condition or current legal situation, the publication date automatically throws that material into question.

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what is a wife worth

Housewife Value

Life, Death, Love, and Marriage 4 comments

What is a Wife Worth?
Minton
1983

This book represents an important development in the world of divorce law. The author, Michael Minton argued the economic value of homemaking in the late 1970s. Minton, an attorney from Chicago, argued that stay at home wives were entitled to assets from the marriage. He argued that there was economic value in homemaking. Prior to this time, a high earning husband can walk away with all the marital assets leaving a wife with nothing. Minton represented a former wife of a Sears Roebuck executive and obtained a settlement arguing that she contributed economically to their 39 year marriage and deserved appropriate compensation.

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daddy doesn't live here any more cover

Daddy Moved Out

For the Kids 5 comments

Daddy doesn’t live here any more
A book about divorce
Boegehold
1985

In this “story”, Mommy and Daddy are fighting all the time. Mom copes by vacuuming. Daddy moves out. Our young protagonist, Casey, fakes an illness to make Dad move back. It doesn’t work. Mommy and Daddy stay friends for the most part and Casey learns to deal.

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my dad lives in a hotel

Friday Fiction: Another Dad dumps his family story

For the Kids 8 comments

My Dad Lives in a Downtown Hotel
Mann
1973

For those of you looking for a totally depressing book about divorce for your kids, this might qualify. The beginning has our kid, Joey, found his mother sad and depressed when he got up for breakfast. Evidently, Dad didn’t come back after a fight last night. Mother is just devastated. Joey has trouble coping and hides in a closet at school.

Joey then begins his quest to talk to his father. This Dad is no prize. Joey remember how is Dad taught him to swim by throwing him in a pool with the “sink or swim” comment. After school Joey decides to find his dad and talk to him about being a better kid. Dad is disinterested and is barely engaged as Joey presents him with a written promise to be a better kid. Dad still says no to being married to Mom. Joey makes peace after his friend, Pepe says lots of kids don’t have a dad at home.

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where is daddy cover

Where is Daddy?

For the Kids 15 comments

Where is Daddy?
The Story of a Divorce
Goff
1969

I will be honest in saying that these types of books (I will call them “fix your problems with a story”) are a bit problematic for me. Yes, I understand that many of these books have therapeutic value. However, they need to be updated and revised to reflect the changes in society. I also want these books to stand on their own as good stories, not just a vehicle to send a message.

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parents divorce

Divorce for Kids

For the Kids 8 comments

How Can I Deal with
My Parent’s Divorce
Hewitt
2007

An alert reader of this site sent this along. I have always had a problem with picture books that attempt to explain situations that are beyond the grasp of adults, let alone children. We have featured many on this site and I have hard time endorsing anything. I will give this book points for trying. I also think authors have a near impossible task in front of them.

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your marriage cover

Marriage DIY

Feelings and Self Help 3 comments

Your Marriage
Is it what you want it to be?
What to do if it’s not
Schnall
1976

I get the feeling this book should have a sub title about handling difficult men. Basically, it is a book for women on when you can’t fix your man, then its time to dump him.This is a great example of how attitudes have changed (somewhat) about women and marriage. The author discusses spousal abuse as if getting beat up is just one of those things that happens. (Read about what it takes to get a wife beater arrested.)

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