Married With Special-Needs Children: A Couplesæ Guide to Keeping Connected

by Laura E. Marshak, Fran P. Prezant

(2007 iParenting Media/Excellent Products Award) At last, a guide that speaks to parents about how to work on marital issues while juggling the demands of raising a child with a developmental disability, serious medical condition, or mental illness. In writing this practical, empathetic guide, the authors draw on their combined professional experience in marital counseling and parent training, as well as on the experience and advice of hundreds of parents of children with special needs. Married with Special-Needs Children looks at the ways in which having a child with special needs can make it more difficult for a marriage to thrive and how a child's intensive needs can change the structure of a marriage. The authors examine many of the underlying stresses and common pitfalls --a couple's differing coping mechanisms and expectations of a child, communication breakdowns and difficulties resolving conflicts, for example. They then present a wide range of strategies for handling or preventing these problems. Marshak and Prezant also describe what makes a marriage strong, such as continuing to share connections outside of parenting roles, keeping a sense of autonomy, and sharing childcare responsibilities. Parents get advice about the importance of romance and intimacy and the benefits of finding time for each other even when they feel too tired or overwhelmed. In addition, the book deals with serious marital troubles and divorce considerations. Throughout are quotes from husbands and wives, offering special insight into what was especially difficult for them, what solutions they've discovered, and what they wished they'd done differently. For parents looking for ways to strengthen their marriage, prevent future strife, or resolve or move on from significant relationship difficulties, this guide offers guidance and expertise for taking the next step. Married with Special-Needs Children is also invaluable to mental health professionals, giving them a realistic view of what many of their clients are dealing with on a day-to-day basis.

Genres: Marriage, Parenting

296 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2006

Reviews

[Kate Blue · Rating 1 out of 5]

was excited to read this book hoping for some insight and great self-help tips BUT after reading it, boy was I disappointed! I coulda watched one episode of Dr. Phil and taken myself to the spa for the day! Time waster...just know you need to feel guilt free and have balance in your life. And it made me feel like it gave the fathers of special needs kids more of a free pass than the moms...

[Sabeeha Rehman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book covers all possible scenarios facing couples with children with special needs, offering tools to manage the day-to-day issues, as well as crisis.