Read an Excerpt
My Family is Changing
A Book About Divorce
By Emily Menendez-Aponte, Anne FitzGerald Abbey Press Publications
Copyright © 2013 Emily Menendez-Aponte
All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-5040-0021-5
CHAPTER 1
What is a divorce?
Mommy and Daddy are getting a divorce. That means they won't be married anymore and they won't live in the same house.
Lots of things will change, but lots of things will be the same, too.
Mommy and Daddy will make sure you know what's going to be different.
It's NOT your fault.
Moms and dads get divorced for lots of different reasons. Maybe they had some loud fights or maybe they hardly talked at all. But no matter why your mom and dad decided to get divorced, it wasn't because of you. It's NOT your fault.
Sometimes it's just better that parents aren't married to each other anymore.
LOVE
Even though your mom and dad won't be married anymore doesn't mean they love you any less!
Your parents love you so, so, so much. Nothing, not even a divorce, will ever change that.
Both your mommy and daddy will always love you and always take care of you.
You have many feelings.
You are probably having lots of different kinds of feelings now.
You might be mad or angry, and are maybe very sad too. Maybe you also feel worried and a little scared.
It's OK to feel all these things. Other kids whose parents get a divorce feel all these same kinds of ways. You are not the only one.
Let your feelings out.
It's all right to feel all different ways. What's important is to make sure all those feelings get out of you. Don't stuff them down into yourself. It will make you feel yucky to keep them all inside. Feelings need to come out!
Tell your mom and dad what you are feeling and thinking about.
Talk about your feelings.
Your mom or dad might want you to talk to someone else, like a counselor. Your parents will pick someone they really trust and like. Don't be afraid, counselors talk with kids all the time and are really good at it.
Talking to someone almost always makes you feel better.
Divorce is hard for everyone.
Just like you have lots of different feelings, so will your parents.
You might see your mommy or daddy cry, or be really angry or upset. They might just act kind of strange or different for a while.
Getting a divorce is really hard for your mom and dad too.
Where is God?
No one wants their parents to get divorced. But no one can make sure that doesn't happen. Not you or even God.
But, you can pray to God about things. God wants to help you feel better. God always listens.
(Continues...)
Excerpted from My Family is Changing by Emily Menendez-Aponte, Anne FitzGerald. Copyright © 2013 Emily Menendez-Aponte. Excerpted by permission of Abbey Press Publications.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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