Parent Problems: Looking back at our parents divorce
Jennifer Flowerdew and Bren Neale
Young Voice 2004
ISBN 1-903456-20-7
Star Rating: 5/5
When I was given this book, with its brightly coloured front cover, photographs of kids either staring forlornly at the camera or smiling bravely with the title in a font that I have a feeling might actually be called 'Kids' I thought it was going to be a dismal cocktail of self-pitying anecdotes, peppered with phrases like "and then my school work started to go downhill...". I am thrilled to say, however, that my pessimistic and cynical prediction was quite wrong, writes Olivia Martin.
This book is in fact made up of quotes from young people from ages six to 16, talking about their experience with great honesty.
Sometimes what the kids say is negative, for example 'I never see my dad now. I used to see him a bit but I just didn't like him.' Despite its sometimes heart breaking content, this opening phrase from 11 year old Paul made me smile.
The lack if any dramatics and the simplicity with which this is said is so touching and affecting. Another thing about this book is that it actually made me think; "yeah... I'm not the only one."
Reading other people's experiences of switching between parents from house to house I can relate to the difficulties we share, and the positive things that have emerged from the way our 'arrangements' have evolved.
For anyone who wants a genuine account of how a divorce, or parental break-up is for the children involved, this book provides that.
Olivia Martin is 16
