The Myth Of No Big Deal
Healing from the Overlooked Impact of Later-Life Divorce on Adult Children and Families
by Wendy Fisher House, Phd.
When parents divorce later in life, the world often shrugs: They’re grown. It’s no big deal. But for adult children—and for the family as a whole—it can be a seismic shift.
The Myth of No Big Deal offers wisdom, validation, and actionable guidance. Thoughtfully organized and rich with takeaways, it is both a roadmap and a reassurance: families can redefine themselves with honesty, respect, and even renewed connection.
“The Myth of No Big Deal is a major contribution to the field of family science, uncovering the many, nuanced ways that later-life divorce of parents impacts their adult children and the family system.”
-- Barbara M. Newman, Ph.D., Developmental Psychologist and Philip R. Newman, Ph.D., Social and Community Psychologist, Co-authors of Development through Life: A Psychosocial Approach and Theories of Human Development.
“For adult children and their divorcing parents, this book will be revelatory and immensely helpful.”
-- Carol Tavris, Ph.D., Social Psychologist and Author of Mistakes were Made (but not by me): Why We Justify Foolish Beliefs, Bad Decisions and Hurtful Acts and Anger: The Misunderstood Emotion.
“Kudos to House for offering thoughtful recommendations for successful adaptations to an often unforeseen family rupture… Clinicians and the general public will be enriched and enlightened by this timely investigation. Read it and pass it on to a friend.”
-- Barbara S. Cain, Author of Autism, The Invisible Cord, A Sibling’s Diary; Silver Medal Winner, Mom’s Choice Award.
Meet the Author
Wendy Fisher House, Ph.D. is a psychologist with training in both clinical and social psychology with more than forty years of experience.
Over the years, she began to notice stories accumulating in her office alerting her to the profound effect which one particular change—parents divorcing after 20 or more years—had on the entire family system, including grown children.
Few resources were available for this population then and even now. So, after she retired, she was inspired to write this book.
