Always Dad: Being a Great Father During & After Divorce

by Paul Mandelstein

Remain an integral part of your kids' lives during and after divorce.

Finalist for The Publishers Marketing Association's Benjamin Franklin Award.

More and more, divorced fathers are finding out that rather than being one half of a "broken" home, they can continue to play a crucial role in their children's lives.

You can, too. Turn to Always Dad and discover how to work with your ex to create a fulfilling extended family, one that can help ensure that your kids grow up in an enriching, loving environment.

Whether you're in the initial stages of divorce, dealing with the immediate aftermath or well past one, this book will provide down-to-earth ideas and strategies you can use right now.

Paul Mandelstein understands what you're experiencing. As a divorced father of three, he founded the Father Resource Network to help dads remain involved in their children's lives. With Always Dad, he distills his many years of working with divorced fathers into one powerful volume.

Get back on track, develop fulfilling relationships, experience personal growth and -- most importantly -- be the father that your kid needs. Always Dad will help you at every step.

Genres: Parenting

276 pages, Paperback

First published May 24, 2006

Reviews

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

Several weeks ago, when I picked up a library copy of this book, I did so, more or less, because I was drawn to its title. Having now read it, I can say that I found this book to be interesting and helpful. I found it helpful in that it was refreshing to read that the difficulties that I'm experiencing as a father in the middle of a divorce are normal, if not simply to be expected. I found that Paul Mandelstein's candid descriptions of the issues that he experienced during his divorce were often expressed not only in plain language, but in a manner that is reflective of the way men talk to one another: bluntly and with a kind of understanding that can only be shared between men. I have felt confused, overwhelmed, and indecisive since my separation. Paul Mandelstein's book, Always Dad, has reminded me that these experiences will go away or, at the very least, become easier to deal with. I have looked forward to that day for several months now, and I believe that Mandelstein has helped to bring that day a bit closer.

My only criticism of this book is that I wish that it had addressed the issue of un-cooperative ex-spouses in a little more detail, with a little more bluntness, and with some more examples from men who have experienced un-cooperative ex-spouses, themselves. Mandelstein is a believer in "collaborative" parenting, as am I. I appreciate that he does not advocate that his readers allow themselves to become "a doormat". However, the tension that exists during a divorce is one that needs to be addressed and, while Mandelstein's readers are probably in a collaborative state of mind, collaboration requires two parties. In short, I would have liked to see more specific and concrete examples of how a father might encourage an ex-spouse to adopt a more collaborative spirit. This criticism is minor, though. All things considered, this was a good book and worth my time.