Dalpiaz shows how a caring and thoughtful parent can recognize the devastation of family violence and help children recover and live happy, violence-free childhoods.
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.
Acknowledgments
Introduction
The Grooming Process
The Mask of Anger
Breaking the Communication Barriers
Attitude Adjustment
Sabotage
Just Behave Yourself
Control
Monkey in the Middle
Labels
To Be or Not to Be a Victim
Success Is Your Final Answer
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
Endorsements
Christina Dalpiaz is uniquely passionate, committed and eloquent in her efforts to make our communities safer for children and more aware of the epidemic of domestic violence. Her voice needs to be listened to and heeded by all who work in the domestic violence and child abuse fields.—Betty J. Wytias^LAssistant Attorney General^LDomestic Violence Policy Advisor^LColorado Attorney General's Office
This book is really about your future. It's about being brave and being smart. It's about rebuilding trust. It's about discovering your true self. It's about being your best because your children deserve your best. Asking for help is a sign of strength and perhaps this book is the first step in your journey toward a safe new world.—Joanne R. Blum^LExecutive Director, Families First^LDenver, Colorado
This is a must read for any adult who has been involved in domestic violence, as well as, for any clinician and Victim Advocate. Ms. Dalpiaz has explicitly captured the impact that domestic violence has on children and has given practical guidance to parents as to how to positively change and appropriately respond to their children in a style that empowers victims rather than blame them. I...would highly recommend this book to any parent who has been involved in domestic violence and desires to change. I believe this should be a must book for men who have been abusive and have children.—John Cogley^LDirector^LColorado Approved Domestic Violence Tx Provider
