Making Divorce Work: 8 Essential Keys to Resolving Conflict and Rebuilding Your Life

by Diana Mercer, Katie Jane Wennechuk

Why go from "till death do us part" to a "fight to the death"?

" Making Divorce Works translates Diana and Katie's unique mediation model into skills anyone can use and that will revolutionize the way people get divorced."-Len Jacoby, founder of Jacoby & Meyers Law Offices

You can get divorced without losing your shirt or your sanity. Given that so many marriages end in divorce, divorce without devastation is an idea whose time has come. Making Divorce Work gives you the tools and inspiration to renegotiate your relationship with your spouse, put an end to unproductive arguments and behaviors, determine a fair win-win settlement, and move on from your marriage happy, healthy, and whole. You will

* 8 simple keys to resolving conflict...even if your spouse won't cooperate
* 8 peace practices to keep you sane no matter what
* To create a divorce mission statement to serve as your beacon
* Ways to deal with fear, anger, and grief
* How to forgive yourself and your spouse
* What you want and how to get it
* How to take control of your divorce instead of letting your divorce take control of you

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help

272 pages, Paperback

First published December 7, 2010

Reviews

[NCHS Library]

From Follett: This unique and empowering guide gives divorcing couples the skills to manage their divorce successfully, handle the legal and emotional issues harmoniously, and redefine and preserve the positive elements of their relationship. Informed by eight mediation concepts developed and used by the authors in their practice, the process outlined in this book will allow divorcing couples to deal rationally with the issues rather than allowing fear, anger, and grief to dictate their actions.

Making Divorce Work leads couples to experience divorce as a celebration of the end of a relationship that served them well and provides the tools to deal with virtually every aspect of divorce-from money and custody to grieving and pain-to be proud of the way they handled their divorce and to start their new lives from a better place.

[Gayle Vegter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good comprehensive guide to getting what you need (vs all you want!) in a settlement (I especially like the "make the pie bigger" vs "get a bigger piece of the pie" analogy). The keys to conflict resolution and tips for deescalation are really insightful and useful for any relationship.

[Celia Juliano · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't "really like this book" but I'm giving it four stars because I think it's only my own stress that caused me to struggle through this book. It's a clear and mature overview of how to get through a divorce peacefully, with as little emotional damage as possible. I'd recommend reading it when you first think of divorce, rather than waiting until you're in the process or at the end, though it still has useful advice, no matter where you are in a divorce. A lot of the techniques are based in the same theories and practices I've read elsewhere, so as with most "self-help" books, there's not much new here, but it's presented well and with exercises and anecdotes that seem generally helpful.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book, but a peaceable book. Not for contentious endings. All about resolving, peaceably finding solutions, 8 peace practices (oon-violetent communication), grieving the ending and forgiveness, acceptance and new beginnings. I may reread this in the future when I'm at the place this would be more helpful and timely for me. I've been in survival mode, and this is a great book for those who are centered and ready to start their new beginning.