Breaking Free, Starting Over: Parenting in the Aftermath of Family Violence

(Hardback)

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Description

What is often labeled domestic violence is, in this book, referred to as family violence, because the emotional terrorism that infuses violence between adults affects not only the adult victims but also the children who witness the abuse. Dalpiaz shows how a caring and thoughtful parent can recognize the trauma family violence inflicts upon children, and how to help them recover and go on to live happy, violence-free childhoods. Safeguarding children, building trust and breaking the cycle of violence is the goal. Once the victim of family violence, Dalpiaz later earned degrees in psychology and early childhood education, eventually launching a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping children. Her book will interest not only parents who are victims of family violence, but also foster parents dealing with the aftermath of family violence, counselors, teachers, social workers, clergy, and students of the behavioral sciences.

Reviews

[T]his book is recommended for parenting collections in public and consumer mental health libraries. * Library Journal *
This book provides strategies for helping abuse victims, generally mothers, mitigate the damage done to children by the environment created by the abusive parent. Dalpiaz, an abuse survivor herself, presents a clear, concise book detailing possible effect of family violence on children and the steps that can be taken to reverse the developmental damage done by the abuse.This compelling blend of personal and professional instruction makes this book exceptionally informative but still extremely accessible to the reader.She presents scenarios that could negatively impact the child, such as unsympathetic teachers or further manipulation by the abusive parent, and provides strategies for achieving positive outcomes. It is a wonderfully instructive book that is sure to be of value to any parent in the aftermath of abuse, as well as to teachers, foster parents, and anyone else who has contact with a child exposed to family violence. * VOYA *
[P]rovides helpful techniques for reparenting children who've been exposed to domestic violence. * Library Journal, Starred Review *
Dalpiaz wrote the book for parents who need guidance in helping children affected by family violence, it also will be useful for social workers, teachers, foster parents, and clergy who want to better understand children from violent homes. * Coloradoan *
Ms. Dalpiaz' work is an excellent resource for battered families and the people who love and work with them. Her presentation illustrates how victimization occurs and what needs to happen to heal from family violence. Then she shows how to parent more effectively so children have a chance for a happy and violence-free childhood. * Rocky Mountain PBS *

Author Bio

CHRISTINA M. DALPIAZ is a certified Victims' Advocate and Founder as well as Executive Director of CHANCE (Changing How Adults Nurture Children's Egos), a nonprofit agency based in Denver, Colorado. An international speaker, she was voted Child Advocate of the Year in 1998 by the Aurora Family Violence Response Team. Her dedication to helping families is actually a second career. Dalpiaz previously served in the U.S. Naval Reserves and retired as a Lieutenant Commander.