When we say “I do” we hope it will be forever, but 40 to 50 percent of all marriages end in divorce. With its custody battles and alimony fights, divorce pits us against each other and can make us feel like we’re living in a war zone. But it doesn’t have to be this way. There are better ways to navigate divorce so you can have a healthier, happier, more loving family. As a longtime relationship counselor, Wendy Smith has helped hundreds of couples and families negotiate the difficult issues and bumps in the road that come with divorce, remarriage, and new blended families. Accepting Family: A Handbook for Life After a Divorce offers the same transformational tools and proven strategies that she uses in her practice.

Filled with practical tips, sample dialogues, and thought-provoking “next steps” this book focuses on real-world solutions to bring more harmony into your life. You’ll also find emotional stories from people who are facing unexpected challenges in their family dynamics, and you’ll learn from healthy blended families who share the secrets they’ve discovered on how to make it work. In this book you’ll learn:

• Tips to remain loving and conscious in the face of heartbreak
• How to keep divorce from becoming a war zone
• Strategies to stop blaming and start healing
• The best ways to introduce a new partner to your children
• Questions to ask before starting a second family
• Sure-fire strategies to deal with difficult family members