"Off the C.U.F.F." (Calm, Unwavering, Firm and Funny) is a parent skills training manual that mirrors the curriculum taught to parents in the Duke Eating Disorders Program in Durham, NC. It was designed for families who have a fellow member with disordered eating. The program focuses on four main skills: Meal management, emotion regulation, stress management, and body image enhancement.

These skills are designed to help build parental skills and competence in supporting their child while helping themselves build a healthier and happier life. It is intended that the development of these skills will help prevent the frequent relapse often seen in individuals with eating disorders. Parents who have participated in this program have described it as their most vital resource!

CONTENTS:

1 – Understanding your journey
2 – Learning Your Approach & Getting the Family Involved
3 – Tricks to Implementing Your Approach
4 – Strengthening Your Team
5 – Healthy Eating 101
6 – Understanding Behavior
7 – Barriers to Behavior Change
8 – The Power of Example
9 – Process and You
10 and 11 – Creating a Healthy Meal Environment and the Joy of Eating
12 and 13 – Perfectionism
14, 15 and 16 – Emotional Regulation and Communication
16 – The Journey of Recovery

REVIEWS:

“If I were stranded on a desert island with my anorexic daughter and could bring only one book with me, Dr. Zucker’s Off the C.U.F.F. is the book I would choose.

It answers questions like, How do you cope and remain level-headed when your daughter has flushed the family dinner down the toilet and then run to her room screaming that she will exercise herself to death if you make her eat anything? Or how do you keep sheer exhaustion and setbacks from wearing you down when your child requires 24-hour supervision for exercise compulsion, is in a rage at most meals, and lost weight at her most recent weigh-in?

Off the C.U.F.F. offers parents the tools they need to understand disordered eating behavior and empowers them through example and skills training to respond to these behaviors in a firm but supportive manner. It written in a compassionate, practical style, yet you will find yourself chuckling as you work your way through the book (I know, I also could never have imagined laughing while reading about eating disorders management).

I wish I was given this book when my daughter entered residential treatment. There is so much that is helpful in this book.”
—Dorothy, a grateful parent