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Eight-year-old Archie's parents have decided to end their relationship. Archie finds himself navigating new situations around the changes to his life and routine, the changes in the family dynamic, and the obstacles to finding support among his friends and peers at school.
Archie is a child's perspective of parental separation and can be read alone, or paired with Charlotte, which takes the view of Archie's older sister. These books are designed to be read to any child facing unfamiliar and uncertain family circumstances resulting from the end of a parental relationship.
As a Mediator, Coach and Counsellor, Dr Rhonda Emonson PhD has worked extensively in community and private settings with those experiencing disputes, disagreement and difficult relationships. Rhonda was the first Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner in Australia to complete research at a PhD level on the effective preparation of parents for mediation. During the time of her research, she developed 'The Bird Family Cards'. Charlotte and Archie are an extension of these cards.
Dr Emonson provides professional coaching to national and international professionals, particularly those that have or are likely to experience emotional fatigue from caring for and working with complex and vulnerable clients.
About the author
As a Family Dispute Resolution (FDR) Practitioner, Dr Rhonda Emonson was the first in Australia to be awarded a PhD with research on the preparation of parents for FDR. Each child, each parent and each mediation has taught her valuable lessons. However, family separation is a significant event and experienced in a similar way, regardless of where we live in the world. The most valuable lesson is that there is hope. A new pathway can be negotiated and those who have been in conflict will move forward with confidence and renewed energy.
Heather Emonson, the illustrator of The Bird Family, lives on her farm in Cootamundra, breeds cattle and is an artist who works predominately with oils to depict her passion for the Australian landscape. Both in her gallery and on the kitchen table, Heather painted and tweaked each illustration to effectively capture the emotions that children experience as their parents separate.
The Bird Family Cards and book series are published in Australia.
