A mother who lives apart from her children is looked upon as a failure or worse in our society. Yet there are many women who do so for a variety of reasons. Some have lost a custody battle, some are financially unable to keep children with them, some recognize that their problems with substance abuse make life unsafe for children. Hart, now a counselor, married a foreign national and was forced to leave a child behind when the marriage ended. This is her handbook for women, helping them to cope with the guilt, sense of loss and social stigma attached to living apart from their children. Several chapters help in dealing with ex-partners who have or share custody. Problems of recrimination and resentment, particularly toward a new wife are addressed in terms of the mother's emotional health as well as the child's. Quotes from women in this situation help ease the sense of isolation. Hart provides blank pages for the reader to write her own feelings and reactions to the text. The reader is also directed to MATCH, a national support group for mothers living apart from their children. Annotation ©2008 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)