Recommended Reading for Family Mediation Issues

• The Massachusetts AFCC (Association of Family and Conciliation Courts) has written a very helpful pamphlet called "Planning for Shared Parenting: A Guide for Parents Living Apart" (Adobe® PDF Format)
  
  
• The Truth about Children and Divorce, by Robert E. Emery, Ph.D. published by Viking, 2004.
  
  This is an excellent resource.
  
  
• We're Still Family, What Grown Children Have to Say About Their Parents' Divorce by Constance Ahrons, Ph.D., HarperCollins Publishers, 2004
  
  This is a very helpful perspective
  
  
• Why did you have to get a Divorce? and WHEN can I get a hamster? A guide to Parenting Through Divorce, by Anthony E. Wolf, Ph.D.
  
  This book describes dozens of family situations with quoted conversations, exactly as they happen in reality. You may be able to recognize a few from your own experience! And then gives sound, practical and helpful advice.   It's an easy read.
  
  
• Difficult Conversations: How to Discuss What Matters Most, by Douglas Stone, Bruce Patton and Sheila Heen of the Harvard Negotiation Project.
  
  A clearly written explanation of what makes difficult conversations hard, with an easy-to-read outline of steps to take to navigate through them to successful conclusion. This book isn't specifically about divorce; it encompasses difficult conversations in any relationship, professional, business or personal.
  
  
• Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In, by Roger Fisher and William Ury.
  
  This book is widely considered to be the "bible" on negotiation. It is another easy read, and extremely helpful.
  
  
• Laurie Israel, Attorney at Law
  
  Collaborative Law, Mediation Review Counsel, Mediation to Stay Married.