When My Parents Forgot How to Be Friends

Summary: The little girl and her parents use to do everything together. Then things started to change and she noticed her parents were fighting more late at night and they seemed to be very sad a lot. Her dad packed up his things and moved into his own house in the city. The girl found herself blaming herself for her parents forgetting how to be friends. Soon things changed for the better again and her mom started to look happy again. She lived with her mom, but saw her dad every week. Sometimes both of her parents would spend time with the girl just like old times and the girl loved it!

Evaluation/Argument: I thought this was a very well written book and addresses the topic of separation and divorce in an appropriate manner. All aspects show more of separation were included. For example, the author made sure to include how the child was feeling throughout this process and how the child often blamed herself for her parents decisions. Many children feel this way when their parents go through a divorce. One thing that I noticed when reading is that the book could be seen as a bit stereotypical. This can be seen when the author writes "I didn't know what they were arguing about, but they seemed very mad, and my Mom usually cried". This could be viewed as stereotypical because the mom was described as crying and women in today's society are viewed as the more emotional gender. Her father could have been crying as well, but the author chose the female to be represented in this way. Any child in a family who has gone through a divorce can find themselves relating to all aspects of this book. Parents will find this to be a useful tool when starting a separation or to inform children about what could happen through this process.
The central message of this book is that even if a divorce occurs the parents will always still love their children. Just like the author wrote sometime parents get along better when they live in different houses. No matter the outcome of these situations children should still feel love from both parents, if present. show less

This book on divorce shared the process of a child finding out that her parents are divorcing. It started when she would hear them argue more often, and then they stopped having family time and then they stopped laughing together. Then dad moved out and they shared the news. I liked how the book said that even though the parents forgot how to be friends with one another, it didn't stop the love they have for their child. It also showed how their life is now, separated. Even though they are separated, they can all still be happy now.

This book is told from a little girl’s perspective as she tells us how her parents forgot how to be friends and became separated. She explains how they would fight a lot and it made her mom cry and her really upset. She thought it was her fault but after seeing her parents happier when they were living apart, she felt good about their decision and was happy the fighting was over. This book is perfect for a K-2nd grade level reader on the topic of divorce. This book is unique because the little girl explains how she is feeling and what she does when her parents fight and how it makes her feel.

I thought this book was a great way to discuss the realness of when parents forget how to be friends. Its also a great book for children to read when their parents are going through divorce. This book is purely from a child's perspective. Her parents were friends and then soon started yelling, fighting and forgot how to be friends. Ultimately ending in her parents getting a divorce. She talks about how she was upset and how it as hard for her but then being optimistic in knowing that even though her parents were not together anymore, that the fact that they are her parents and thy love her is the one thing that will not change. She also goes on to talk about how everyone seems happier afterward.
Ages: 4-8

When my Parents Forgot to be Friends was a nice book for young children of divorce. The little girl in the book wishes things could be like they used to be, when her family did everything TOGETHER. The book gives the reader a sense of hope, because although things do change, she has not lost either of her parents. The parents learn to be friends again and the little girl is happy once again.

When My Parents Forgot How to Be Friends is a touching story about a girl who's parents were going through divorce or how she described it "they forgot how to be friends"

This book is a cute way for someone to explain to a child what divorce is about and let them know that it isn't their fault.

I would use this book with a child who's parents are getting divorced and come to me with questions about what is going on.

I like the Let's Talk About It series. We have many at work and they help children learn about adult things and make them talk through the confusing feelings they're feeling. in this book they talk about parents who's relationship is headed south and the book reassures the child that it is not their fault and that they aren't responsible for their parents issues.
k-3rd
Munchkinland Childcare and Preschool