I’m often asked for tools to help someone’s teens deal with their divorce. I just stumbled across a solid resource for teens called, “The Divorce Workbook for Teens” by Lisa Schab.
Few books I’ve seen cover the parental divorce landscape as completely, succinctly, and accessibly as this workbook. Schab’s workbook topics include: anger, blaming, sexuality, confusion, visitation, moving, guilt, acting out, and many more.
Each chapter starts with a page of explanation and other teen’s stories—which are very relatable. Then two or three pages of exercises follow that help the teen explore their own feelings and thoughts.
I highly recommend this book for teens. Additionally, clinicians, counselors, pastors, laypeople, teachers, and parents who are in contact with teens will also benefit from this easy, but penetrating read.
It is a secular book, but the topics are easily connected to applicable scriptures. It’ important to be mindful that, while we can address triggers and trauma from events, healing comes from moving from a self-focus to a God-focus.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD”
Isaiah 55:8.
When I look back on my parents’ divorce and subsequent fallout through my eyes, it’s wreckage and carnage. However, when I look at the years with a God perspective, I’m in awe of the number of positive things that came about with my parents’ split—not least of which is, through the years, all three of us kids (and my mother) accepted Jesus as our Savior and Lord. I sincerely doubt that would have happened if my parents had stayed together.
Does divorce still stink? Yep. But I’m living the verse that says, “I [God] will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten” Joel 2:25. Back then locusts destroyed life-giving substance. Today, parental divorce feels like it does the same. But as God restored things back in biblical times, He has restored things in my life, and He wants to do the same for you.