The Divorced Dad's Survival Book: How to Stay Connected with Your Kids
In the next century, 50 million American children will go to sleep  without being able to say good night to their fathers. TheDivorced Dad's  Survival Bookoffers both hope and help for noncustodial fathers who want to  stay connected with their children before, during, and after divorce. David  Knox, a psychologist and father, is passionate in his premise that dads are not  replaceable. But don't expect tips on ex-spouse bashing. Instead, the author's  purpose is to minimize conflict with the ex-spouse and "to encourage fathers to  continue being fathers and to emphasize that this goal is always worth pursuing  no matter what legal or personal obstacles alienation from their spouse may  bring."Knox offers fathers a hefty how-to list: understanding a child's perspective on  divorce, creating an optimistic view of divorced fathering, mediating  differences with a former spouse, answering the tough questions kids ask, and  coping when you fall in love with a new partner and your children don't. These  challenges are explored with insightful self-assessments and practical  descriptions of what to do--and not do--when your kids are with you and when  they are with their mother. One chapter, written by the author's partner, offers  a fresh view of being a divorced dad's valentine.This supportive and strategic advice is weakened by Knox's stereotyped  description of how fathering differs from mothering--one that is bound to ruffle  even nonfeminist feathers. Yet the book succeeds in creating a model of loving,  equal parenting that can triumph over the trials of divorce.--Barbara  Mackoff