Single Parents Association - SPA Book Review

Single Parents Association®

Single Parenting is Kids Stuff

SPA Recommended Reading
Reviewed by Edward Price, SPA Founder, and others

"The Handbook for Single Parents" by Thomas Allegood

This is a 'MUST READ' book for every single parent! It is an instructional guidebook for effective single parenting for both parents and children of divorced families. The "9 Single Parenting Principles" are invaluable to every single parent family. Mr. Allegood has compiled a wonderful, easy to read, resource book that touches on the many skills and understandings that are essential to effective single parenting. He offers simple to understand guide with practical suggestions, reminders and points out the single parenting obstacles and solutions. (I highly recommend reading this book. Ed)

To order a copy of this book by credit card call (800) 704-2102 or send $10 plus $1.50 S&H ($11.50 US funds) to:

Single Parents Association
4727 E. Bell Rd. #45, PMB 209
Phoenix, AZ 85032

"The SINGLE PARENT'S MONEY GUIDE "by Emily Card with Christie Watts Kelly

"I would make this book mandatory reading for every single parent. As a single Dad for many years and the founder of a national single parent's organization, I appreciate the practical advice and techniques for all stages of single parenting. From the separation to putting the children through college to a remarriage, the Single Parent's Money Guide covers the gamut. Readers will realize they're not alone and discover options they never thought they had. Very empowering." Edward Price (Founder/CEO, Single Parents Association)

Buy This Book

"I LIVE WITH DADDY" by Judith Vigna

This hard-cover children's book is about Olivia, who lives with her Dad since her parents got divorced. Now, even though she has chosen to write a book about her Mom's glamorous career as a TV reporter, she manages to show that she loves both her Mom and her Dad equally. This wonderful book touched my heart. I found it to be something I wanted to read over and over again. As a single parent, this book helps put into perspective the difficulties our children go through during and after a divorce. The story is one you should read to all your children whether they are boys or girls or live with their Dad or Mom. (Ed Price)

Buy This Book

"The Single Parent Resource" by J Brook Noel with Art Klein

This book is based on an unprecedented nationwide survey of single parenting done by Brook. It is the most complete resource book I have seen to date. When I read the manuscript as Brook was writing it, I was amazed at her desire to provide a comprehensive resource for single parents. The review I wrote was, "A wonderful reference book, and a MUST READ for every single parent and everyone who wishes to help them. This easy to read, well organized resource covers the many aspects of single parenting. Helpful and positive with many practical suggestions to make this lifestyle a little easier." (Edward Price, Founder/CEO, Single Parents Association)

You may order this book through the publisher for $12.65 plus S&H (10% discount for SPA Members, compliments of the author, Brook Noel), or Buy This Book.
(Brook is the mother of a three year old.) Profits from the sale of this book go to a scholarship fund for children raised in single-parent homes.

"Mom's House, Dad's House" by Isolina Ricci, Ph.D

This book is special to me because I found it at a time in my life when I really needed some help with problems I had never expected to have to deal with. It's a very comprehensive look at joint custody issues- before, during and after divorce - with emphasis on keeping the children out of the middle of disagreements between parents. The author, herself a single parent, promotes happy, healthy single family homes, whether both parents are on civil terms or not.

Whatever your situation - whether you have a cooperative, non-cooperative, or totally absent former spouse - this book can help. I liked it so much that I bought a copy for my child's mother (notice I didn't say "ex"- the book will tell you why this is important!). (Jeff Snedden - SPA Member)

Note: This book is available through the Phoenix Public Library, or Buy This Book.

"The Miracle of Personal Leadership" by Dr. Ray Russell

This book is a "hands-on, how-to" kind of book. It is, also, very inspirational and, more importantly for this reviewer, motivational. The book is full of stories about how people overcame their personal obstacles to get what they wanted and believed in. There are over 100 such stories, and if you are motivated by others' successes, this book will certainly fill the bill for you. If, on the other hand, you are motivated by hard-core techniques, systems and suggestions about how to reach your goals, this book is also for you. It includes evaluation processes for checking to see where you are, being your personal best, developing a personal strategy, energizing yourself, and finding employment.

As I read this book, I thought about single parenting and how we as single parents demonstrate many of Dr. Russell's thoughts and techniques. We certainly live by personal leadership because of all we do, from working to raising our children, for the most part, by ourselves. I enthusiastically recommend this book because Dr. Russell has captured many of the principles being taught in the corporate world and translates them for us to use in our everyday, individual lives. Yes, it's great to create teams in the workplace to accomplish and to improve efficiencies, but it is equally important to improve ourselves as individuals and as parents in order to teach our children skills to help them improve their own lives. One of my favorite parts in this book is:

"8 Valuable Lessons I Learned From My Dog."

Have boundless energy & enthusiasm.
Be non-judgmental.
Live life for the present.
Loyalty is important.
Be trusting.
Interdependence brings power: We work best as a pack team.
Bury bones for a rainy day.
Only the lead dog gets a change of scenery.

Dr. Russell is to be commended for writing this book and having the insights to pass this information on to all of us. I have learned some new techniques to improve the way I do business and, more importantly, to improve my personal life. This book offers many ideas to improve what you are already demonstrating -- Personal Leadership.

Note: Dr. Russell's book can be ordered for $26.95 by calling 1-800-228-0810. Dr. Russell can be reached at ExecuTrends, 1-602-835-7036, or Buy This Book.

Book Tips
Managing relationships with your children, co-workers, the other parent, your own parents, or even a new friend can be enhanced by reading one of the following books:

"The Talk Book" by Gerald Goodman and Glenn Eaterly

"From Conflict to Resolution" by Susan Heitler

Buy This Book

"The Eight Essential Steps to Conflict Resolution" by Dudley Weeks

Buy This Book

"Getting to Yes" by William Ury and Bruce Patton

Buy This Book

Other Books
If you buy other books or merchandise from amazon.com and begin the transaction by linking from our page, a portion of the purchase price will go to SPA.

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