Written by MFM co-founders Alicia Ranford and Lainie Anderson, as well as the site’s resident psychologist Angie Willcocks, the 176-page Mining Families Rock offers advice to families who are living in remote mining communities or dealing with fly-in, fly-out lifestyles.

The book builds on the earlier success of the site’s 32-page Survival Guide for Mining Families, which has sold more than 50,000 copies since 2011 to mining companies.

The book offers advice on helping children cope, staying connected, marriage tips, mental health support, as well as advice for newcomers to the industry.

Ranford said the book could assist people with challenges, as well as making them feel comfortable with their life choices.

“The mining boom offers great opportunities for families, but after six moves in a decade and eight years of fly-in, fly-out, I know it can also put intense pressure on couples trying to maintain a strong relationship and raise happy, healthy kids,” she said.

“Great communication is the absolute key, and hopefully this book will start a lot of conversations on many personal levels.”

Willcocks said there was a lot of attention in Australia on the negative impacts of FIFO rosters on families, but the time had come to turn the focus onto how to make these couples more resilient.

“Working away from home is a fact of life for a growing number of Australian families and it can be a positive experience so long as couples are very clear about goals and potential problems up front,” she said.

“They need to tackle any issues as a united team and regularly reassess how the whole family is coping.”

Mining Families Rock can be purchased for $24.95 from the MFM website www.miningfm.com.au.

MFM will have a stand at the community hub at QME 2012 in Mackay later this month and Ranford will also run a free workshop.