Description
Book SynopsisFeaturing children's voices describing the trauma and suffering they feel when their parents leave, Abandoned explores psychological theories of mothers' and fathers' roles in children's lives and offers practical advice to those who care for children traumatized by parental abandonment.Parents leave their children for many reasons, including divorce, work, imprisonment, mental health, and domestic violence. While children may appear to understand these reasons, their hearts are often broken; they are traumatized and grieve their parent's absence. Their pain shows itself in a variety of maladaptive behaviors and emotions, such as anxiety, panic attacks, self-injury, low self-efficacy, anger, and excessive or inappropriate online use.In
Abandoned, counseling psychologist Andrea Francis draws on classic and current research to describe the critical roles of mothers and fathers in their child's development. Stories told by children and family members are woven through
Trade ReviewWith literary sophistication and scholarly precision, Andrea Francis tells a compelling story of trauma journeys and regeneration. She passionately recounts the struggles and triumphs of generations of young people whom she has nurtured. Rooted in personal experience,
Abandoned documents the author’s own journey to healing; it is a powerful testimony to the therapeutic power of empathy. * Carolyn Cooper, Professor Emerita, University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica *
Table of ContentsPreface Acknowledgments Introduction
PART I: Mother and Father Roles and Child Development 1. Abandoned 2. Moms and Attachment to Their Children 3. Dads and Attachment to Their Children 4. Child Development and the Importance of Parents
PART II: Why Parents Abandon Their Children 5. Why Moms Leave 6. Why Dads Leave 7. Why Both Parents Leave 8. Parental Abandonment: Traumatic for Children
PART III: Strategies for Healing 9. Twoness Contextualizes How Children Cope 10. What Children Need 11. Grandparents Help to Heal 12. Self-Care for Carers
PART IV: Taking Care of the Children 13. Positive Psychology Interventions for Well-Being 14. Butterfly Stages: Metamorphosis Model of Interventions
PART V: Conclusion: The Circle of Support 15. My Story: Full Circle Afterword Notes Resources Index
