Weekends with Dad: What to Expect When Your Parents Divorce

Life's Challenges

by Melissa Higgins, Wednesday Kirwan

When your parents divorce, it can feel like the world turns upside down. What do you do? Whether you live mostly at your moms or dads, this story can help you through the tough times.

Genres: Divorce, Picture Books, Friendship, Childrens

24 pages, Library Binding

First published July 1, 2011

Reviews

[Nathan Janes · Rating 1 out of 5]

Shared parenting is what a child should expect. Telling kids to expect only seeing their dad on weekends is horrible. Parenting is done by both mom and dad. It's terrible to teach children that fathers are not equal in raising a child. I wouldn't read this to any child struggling after they have been through the neglect of a seperation/divorce.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

When parents separate or divorce, many youngsters feel as though they've been divorced as well. In simple language and featuring a fox family in its illustrations, this title explains the process and provides ways to cope with one of life's challenges. Although the parents do not get back together, the author's message that parents love their children even after they have divorced each other rings loud and clear in the book. Back matter includes links to websites, a glossary, and additional reading. This book is sure to be useful in every elementary classroom since it eases the feeling of isolation and being different from others.

[ReadingWench · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great book by Melissa Higgins. She brings up a sensitive subject in an easy way for children to understand.


AR 2.9

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

"When your parents divorce, it can feel like the world turns upside down. What do you do? Whether you live mostly at your mom's or dad's, this story can help you through the tough times."--from cover

[Dawn]

The actual story isn't bad. It is short and very basic, hitting all of the points of most divorce books: things changing, parents still loving you, and the importance of understanding your feelings and talking about them. Definitely aimed at younger kids: preK-2nd.

Even though it's called "Weekends with Dad", there is never a custody arrangement introduced with dad only having the kids on weekends. If you look closely, one page shows a calendar with dad having Sundays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, so it is joint custody. However, the dad is also the one who moves out in the beginning and gets his own apartment, while the kids and mom stay living in the house. But this is going to be a problem with any storybook about divorce. The details are rarely going to be an exact fit for your situation.

Heteronormative and anthropomorphic.

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one really addresses some of the questions an older kiddo (5-9) may have during divorce. Bottling up feelings, being mad, talking to your friends, and so on. There's also a slightly random-feeling episode where the kids go to court with their parents, which felt weird, but I guess might come up. One very realistic scene shows the kids telling their dad that he doesn't make pancakes correctly, or like their mom makes them. It was... okay- I would include this in a collection on the topic.

[May Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A hard but necessary read

It pains me to imagine kids needing to read this to get by with a very serious issue like their parents' divorce. But then, this is one of the painful facts in life that you do not want those close to you to experience. But I am thankful that these books exist to help children cope with big problems or emotions like this. Kudos to the author and the people behind the making of this book.

[Grace Russell · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story is a very basic story that explains what can happen when your parents get a divorce. It may help kids who are experiencing their own parents getting a divorce to read this to not feel alone. It explains that just because the parents aren't going to be together doesn't mean the parents don't love their children. While I don't think I would include this book in my classroom library I think it could be very helpful for the targeted audience.

[Kelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Age: 4-8 years

For a younger age, the illustrator chose animals to depict the earlier stages of divorce from the perspective of a cub fox. From separation to divorce to a year later, the cub experienced several emotions including guilt, depression, jealousy, solitude, and anger. Although the cub had a hard time adjusting, he soon found out that he wasn't alone. He then began to ask questions of fellow kids and his parents, venting some of his confusing emotions.

The child's narration is paired with statistical information and reassurance regarding this very complicated event in a child's life. In some ways, this information can help parents see a child's perspective and can open up conversation between the child and parents.

[Lara Lamb · Rating 4 out of 5]

While it is ideal that in a separation situation both parents work together and that it is a good shared parenting experience this book calls to attention the reality of the situation which is many parents just have visitation on the weekends. This is another book I would keep in my office for families that are experiencing a separation.