Women of Divorce: Mothers, Daughters, Stepmothers - The New Triangle

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Summary: Divorce yourself from this book!!
Review: Having recently been through a difficult divorce I decided to read this book. It was almost as big a mistake as marrying my ex. It was poorly written and slow. I had to put it down several times out of sheer boredom. Please do yourself a favor and read anything else...

Rating:
Summary: GREAT BOOK!!!!
Review: Susan Shapiro Barash's WOMEN OF DIVORCE: MOTHERS, DAUGHTERS, STEPMOTHERS - THE NEW TRIANGLE is an unusual book in that it addresses the problems that women face during and after divorce. Although the father/husband is obviously in the picture, the mother and stepmother exist in another realm. Barash encourages mothers to be open minded toward stepmothers and for stepmothers to have the courage to forge a relationship with their stepdaughters. She also uncovers some unhappy stories, as well as success stories, and recommends that the daughters be at the center of the mothers' and stepmothers' actions and reactions to events. For instance, if there is a family event and both mother and stepmother will be present, the two women should be respectful, at least, and not make the daughter feel uncomfortable, or that she has to choose between her father's side or her mother's side. The stepmother and mother should also refrain from competing with each other and/or with the daughter. Barash likes the idea of 'co-mothering',which seems to be a solution for the 21st century. This book is a valuable tool in the divorce wars and in the world of stepparenting. The information is helpful and I highly recommend the book.

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Summary: at last, divorce from female point of viw
Review: WOMEN OF DIVORCE is a guidebook for the mothers, stepmothers and daughters, and offers advice and hope for each of these women. Nothing ever before has been written only from the female point of view of divorce. Yet Barash points out that daughters are much more affected by divorce in the long run than are sons, and the experts support her thesis. In her book, Barash explores all the different scenarios of stepfamilies, giving equal time to all three women of the triangle; mother, daughter and stepmother. She has interviewed hundreds of women of all different ages and backgrounds, and the common themes which emerge as a result of divorce and remarriage go beyond class and ethnicity. Barash advocates the concept of 'co-mothering' rather than the mother and stepmother being competitive and contentious when it comes to the daughters. The book is well written and the information accessible and helpful. At last a book that lets women of divorce know they are not alone and that despite rocky road, there can be happy endings.

Rating:
Summary: Enlightening
Review: WOMEN OF DIVORCE offers all three women solutions - mothers, daughters and stepmothers. In a world where divorce is so prevalent and stepfamilies so common, Barash's book provides a hopeful, yet realistic note. Not only does she examine each relationship triangle, stepmother, mother daughter - mother, father, daughter - father, daughter, stepmother, but she offers a number of possibilities. The mother and stepmother can co-mother and this is the ideal. But short of this, we have a stepmother who is luke warm and eventually becomes closer to her stepdaughter, a mother who resents the stepmother initially and grows to like her, a father who learns how to parent by witnessing the mother and stepmother as they care for the daughters. Although Barash recognizes that certain situations are untenable, for the most part, the triangle of mother, daughter, stepmother, once a dreaded proposition, is productive and successful. This is a must real for eveyone involved, and for those women who are about to become stepmothers. WOMEN OF DIVORCE is enlightening!

Rating:
Summary: Enlightening
Review: WOMEN OF DIVORCE offers all three women solutions - mothers, daughters and stepmothers. In a world where divorce is so prevalent and stepfamilies so common, Barash's book provides a hopeful, yet realistic note. Not only does she examine each relationship triangle, stepmother, mother daughter - mother, father, daughter - father, daughter, stepmother, but she offers a number of possibilities. The mother and stepmother can co-mother and this is the ideal. But short of this, we have a stepmother who is luke warm and eventually becomes closer to her stepdaughter, a mother who resents the stepmother initially and grows to like her, a father who learns how to parent by witnessing the mother and stepmother as they care for the daughters. Although Barash recognizes that certain situations are untenable, for the most part, the triangle of mother, daughter, stepmother, once a dreaded proposition, is productive and successful. This is a must real for eveyone involved, and for those women who are about to become stepmothers. WOMEN OF DIVORCE is enlightening!

Rating:
Summary: Hands-on, vetted relationship-building advice
Review: Women Of Divorce: Mothers, Daughters, Stepdaughters - The New Triangle by critical thinking and gender studies educator Susan Shapiro Barash is an impressively conceived and superbly presented self-help guide for women in stepfamilies -- an increasingly common occurrence in today's modern world with its soaring divorce rate where more than sixty-five percent of remarriages will involve stepchildren. From how a parent's remarriage changes their personal universe for daughters, to forging new bonds between step-siblings, Women Of Divorce offers sound, practical, experienced, hands-on, vetted relationship-building advice, guidance, and insight regarding the long transition process to the successful creation of a happily blended family. Women Of Divorce is especially recommended reading for all women faced with the responsibility for forging new relationships with the children of a previous marriage -- whether they are his or hers.