Family Redefined: Childhood Reflections on the Impact of Divorce

by Kimberly Ewertz

Overview

Featured on Suzy Miller's Divorce TV, helping divorcing families peacefully evolve from 'broken families' to 'extended families'.

An award-winning book, Family Redefined: A Revealing Look Inside the World of Children of Divorce offers vivid personal accounts from those whose lives are most altered by divorce-the children-starting with their first comprehension of their parents' divorce through to their present lives. The vulnerable stories presented in the book offer insight, hope, and practical tips for anyone who is considering, going through, or has gone through a divorce. In addition to the personal accounts, professionals in the field of marriage and family counseling provide much-needed guidance, direction, and practical advice for divorced parents.

• MIPA Midwest Book Award Winner
• Eric Hoffer Book Award Non-Fiction Finalist
• Next Generation Indie Book Awards Finalist
• Walter Williams, Missouri Writers Guild Award, 2^nd Place

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781942586883
Publisher:	Little Creek Press
Publication date:	10/21/2020
Pages:	178
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.38(d)

About the Author

Ewertz began her journalism career as an editor at St. Louis Community College Meramec where she won two Missouri College Media Association Awards. Throughout the years she has written for numerous publications focusing on feature articles where she delights in highlighting people and their accomplishments. After twelve years of marriage, in 1990, Ewertz filed for divorce, propelling her and her then ten-year-old son into a journey of irrevocable change. That journey is the impetus for her first book, Family Redefined: Childhood Reflections on the Impact of Divorce. She currently resides in Gilroy, with her husband, and two dogs, Murphy and Charlie.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments

Author's Note

Introduction

One

Lisa

At fifty-six years old, Lisa's reflections on her parents' divorce from over four decades earlier offers insight on the subject of abandonment, a byproduct of her parents' divorce, which continues to affect every aspect of her life.

Two

Mickey

From the age of six, Mickey was subjected to his mother's obsession to seek vengeance against her ex-husband. As a result of her deceptive schemes, Mickey experienced long periods of separation from his father, who only wanted the best for his son.

Three

Tony

Tony was in his mid-twenties when his mother left town, leaving her husband and her family behind. Even though Tony was no longer living with his parents, his mother's abrupt departure had a huge impact on his life and continues to affect him in his role of husband and father.

Four

Ellen

Ellen was forced into the role of caretaker of the family by her parents after they divorced, resulting in feelings of anger and resentment that the young girl never acknowledged. By her freshman year of college, realizing those feelings could no longer stay buried, Ellen finally reached out for help.

Five

Brad

The eldest of three, Brad shouldered the brunt of his

parents' divorce and willingly accepted the role of caregiver to his younger brothers. With the security of his family no longer a reality, Brad felt lost and adrift in his uncertainties and loneliness with no one to turn to. His unwavering dedication for his brothers' welfare provided Brad the motivation he needed to move forward with his life.

Six

Noah

Noah was nine years old when his parents divorced and initiated shared custody of him and his younger sister. The children's living arrangements resulted in a constant state of transition and produced a lack of stability for Noah, which still affects him today.

Seven

Katniss

Katniss and her younger brother are not only children of divorce, but they also fell victim to severe neglect and abuse at the hands of their parents. Assuming the role of protector throughout their childhood years, Katniss forged an unbreakable bond between the siblings that continues today.

Eight

Chris

Chris and his sister represent the percentage of severe dysfunctionality experienced by children of divorce. The one certainty they had throughout their childhood, and the reason they both not only survived but thrived; they knew they always had each other.

Nine

Andy

Andy experienced his parent's divorce at the age of ten. In his honest, and at times raw portrait of that time, he details with humor and humility the difficulties he faced due to his mother's insistence he attend group therapy when all he really needed was the opportunity to sort out his feelings on his own.

Ten

Michelle

This chapter is narrated by Kay, Michelle's mother, as her daughter was less than a year old when she and her husband divorced. Kay discusses openly and honestly why the divorce took place. The relationship between her and Michelle's father offers a positive example of successful co-parenting, even in the most difficult situations.

The Experts Weigh In

Presented in a Q&A format, this chapter poses questions to a wide panel of counseling experts regarding the studied effects on children of divorce. The information lends guidance, support, and at times clear-cut strategies for divorced parents who find themselves and their children in the midst of navigating a myriad of unfamiliar post-divorce situations.

About the Author