50 Wonderful Ways to Be a Single-Parent Family

Nothing s harder than being a parent. The task at hand the responsibility to raise good children presents enormous challenges on its own. But add to it our anxiety Am I doing a good enough job? Can I do better? Did I handle that situation right? - and the job becomes, at times, crushingly hard. It s Dr. Barry Ginsberg's gift to ease our burden, and as a result, to make us believe that we can not only succeed as parents, but also thrive. Dr. Ginsberg doesn t represent the role of parent as simpler than it is; rather, he is able to explain difficult concepts and interactions in basic terms with out reducing their complexity. While Dr. Ginsberg's vision is realistic in terms of what parents can actually accomplish, it's also rooted in an optimistic view of human nature. He is convinced that with practice, patience, and good intentions, we can become the parents we want to be. Honest self-examination is at the root of this conviction. Yet his advice is eminently behavioral and sensible. He also proposes a set of values that are essential to having a good relationship with any one: Talk to each other. Respect each other. Listen to each other. Say what you mean and pay attention to how you feel. Take responsibility for your self. Have family meetings. Set ground rules. These are principles we all know but some times for get or over look. Remember them, Dr. Ginsberg urges us, for they themselves are our best resource. His confidence is contagious. Every suggestion he offers stems from these values. To implement his advice isn t always easy. But like the best kind of coach, one who really has your welfare at heart, Dr. Ginsberg urges patience. Take the time to read this book and digest its meaning, practice, and you'll get it, he tell us time and time again. This book espouses a ground-up approach to parenting. As he explains, parents who know them selves have the assurance to know their children. He describes an emotional climate in which we all take responsibility for our selves and then move forward to engage with others, whether it s our children, ex-spouses, friends, or members of our families of origin. Dr. Ginsberg also suggests that we start with the basics and move on to complexity gradually. For instance, in order to know your self more thoroughly, he encourages you to first decide if the feelings you have are good or bad. Only after that distinction has been made do you move on to elaborate. It s a plan so simple that you think it can t possible work, not with all the complexity with which you have to cope. But it does work. Dr. Ginsberg is a parent as well as a psychologist. Throughout the book, you will hear both voices talking to you. Soon you ll hear yourselves talking and thinking differently than you ever did before. This book has helped me to be a better parent. Even my kids notice the difference. Yours will, too. From the Preface Roberta Israelof Foreword writer Roberta Israeloff is the author of four books of personal nonfiction (including Kindling the Flame: Reflections on Ritual, Faith and Family and author and co-author of numerous parenting books. She was a contributing editor to Parents Magazine for six years, and has written dozens of articles on various aspects of parenting and family issues for The New York Times, Glamour, Good Housekeeping, and many other national publications including the on-line magazine Jewish Family and Life.