Divorced Dads: 101 Ways to Stay Connected With Your Kids Book

PREFACE

INTRODUCTION



DECIDE WHAT YOU WANT, DEVELOP YOUR VISION

Set Priorities

State Your Goals as a Father

Assess Your Strengths

Identify Areas of Growth

Take Responsibility for Your Choices and Actions

Commit to Action



MEND FENCES, CREATE A TEAM APPROACH WITH YOUR EX

Check Your Thinking

Adjust Your Attitude

Redirect Your Reactions

Work On Becoming Allies

Offer To Help Your Ex When You Can

Be Supportive of Your Ex's Parenting Efforts

Recognize Your Ex's New Spouse or Partner

Be Sensitive If You Have a New Mate



REQUEST SUPPORT: INVOLVE OTHERS

Set Up Channels of Communication

Get Imput from Your Ex

Obtain Recordings of Special Events

Ask Your Kids How They Prefer to Stay Connected with You

Encourage Extended Family Communication



UPGRADE YOUR PARENTIN SKILLS: CONNECT MORE DEEPLY

Be Emotionally Available

Refine Your Sense of Humor

Work on Kindness

Reframe Failure as Learning

Reveal Yourself

Practice Good Listening Skills

Encourage Your Children

Practice Humility



COMMUNICATE OFTEN: VARY THE METHOD

Make Telephone Calls

Send Letters, emails, or faxes

Mail Greeting Cards

Deliver Favorite Foods

Entertain with Jokes and Riddles

Give Well-Timed Photographs

Collect News Items

Mail Postcards

Visit Your Kids

Watch a TV Show Together Long Distance

Review a Book Together

Share Artwork

Find a Comic Strip

Give Keepsakes to Remember

Use Instant Messaging

Set Up a Family Email List

Become the Family Webmaster

Provide Your children with a Pager and a Cell Phone



SUPPORT LEARNING: MAKE ACQUIRING KNOWLEDGE FUN

Make the Initial Contact with the School

Seek Feedback from Your Kids' Teachers

Visit the School When Possible

Go on an Educational Outing

Help Develop Accountability

Encourage Learning

Support Goals and Dreaming

Help with School Projects



PLAN VACATIONS/VISITS TOGETHER: START THE PROCESS EARLY

Select Activities to Do

Send Information About Your Vacation Plans

Use a Map

Take Your children to a Family Reunion

Make Signs and Give places Names



TAKE PICTURES: USE YOUR CAMERA EFFECTIVELY

Keep a Photo Album

Take a Photography Class Together

Use a PC Camera

Send a Photo Mug

Gie a T-Shirt with a Selected Photo On It

Have a Picture Made into a Poster

Share Pictures from Your Life

Build Anticipation with Photos



ENJOY RECREATIONL ACTIVITIES: EXPLORE FUN THINGS

Learn a Useful Skill Together

Play Interactive Internet Games

Learn a Sport Together

Help a Child Start a Collection

Cook Favorite Recipes

Try Bird Watching

Make Up Songs or Poems

Read or Create Stories

Plant a Garden

Research Your Family Tree

Learn about Foreign Places Together

Plant Something on Special Occasions

Broadcast a Radio Dedication

Tell Your Favorite Stories of Them



SPLURGE OCCASIONALLY:SEND GIFTS THAT SAY YOU CARE

Provide Gift Certificates or Coupons

Buy a Music CD or Tape

Send Flowers of Plants

Select a Book of a Particular Genre

Buy a Share of Stock

Customize a Book

Purchase Toys and Kits

Order a Magazine Subscription

Name a Star after a Child

Give Things Related to Family History

Deliver Gourmet or Special Food Items

Choose Sports Equipment

Bond with Shirts and Hats



SAY "THANK YOU" OFTEN: EXPRESS GRADITUDE TO OTHERS

Credit Your Ex-Wife and Her Family

Praise Your Family Members and Friends

Recognize Your Child's Mentors

Thank Your Higher Power



TEACH VALUES AND BELIEFS: SET THE EXAMPLE

Set an Example with Your Own Faith

Show Your Values by Your Actions

Do Volunteer Work Together

Meditate/Pray/Worship Together



WE'D LIKE YOUR HELP

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

INDEX

ABOUT THE AUTHORS