How to be a Good Divorced Dad Being the Best Parent You Can Be Before, During and After the Break-Up

The country's leading authority on fathers' rights Jeffery M. Leving presents a definitive how-to resource for divorced dads of any age, background, and marriage history. Leving offers targeted guidance and suggests techniques for staying connected with children and dealing with ex-wives?and in some cases a new girlfriend or the wife's new boyfriend?during the divorce and afterwards. This upbeat book offers good news for divorced dads and counters many of the myths that paint divorcing fathers as alienated, irresponsible, or absent.

• Includes advice for overcoming limited access to children with cooperative responses and legal remedies if necessary
• Reveals how to avoid depression and feelings of guilt that can cause a divorced dad to give up and lose connection with his kids
• Offers ideas for responding to an ex-wife's remarriage, moving, unfounded accusations, and other common issues
• Contains guidance for engaging in new relationships and possibly remarriage

How to Be a Good Divorced Dad is practical and down-to-earth and offers dozens of real life examples of dads who have discovered the importance of staying involved in their children's lives.

Introduction 1

1 The Obstacles: Identify the Factors That Can Drive a Wedge Between You and Your Children 7

2 The Difference Between Good Dads and Struggling Fathers 25

3 The Impact of Divorce on Children: The Knowledge You Need, the Actions You Should Take 45

4 Romance: Use Your Head When It Comes to Your Heart 63

5 Money Issues: How to Manage Changing and Challenging Financial Situations 79

6 When There’s a New Man in Your Children’s Life: How to Avoid Being Replaced 97

7 Therapy Isn’t for Women Only: Dealing with Your Issues So You Can Have a Better Relationship with Your Kids 117

8 Legal Remedies: How the Courts Can Help You and Your Kids 133

9 Going Forward: How to Maintain and Strengthen Connections with Your Kids 149

10 Developing Trends and Changes That Still Need to Be Made 155

Resources 165

Notes 169

Index 171

Jeffery M. Leving is the country's leading authority on fathers' rights and president emeritus of the Fatherhood Educational Institute. He has a weekly radio show in Chicago, a divorce magazine, and a website: www.dadsrights.com. He speaks frequently at lectures, trainings, and workshops for divorced dads around the country.